The Knight & His Rapier (revised Sept23)

One of the Malay guys with a Chinese grandparent in the works somewhere, you would guess. Hailing on the approach, pulled up a seat diagonally opposite, after first thinking this side one over. Couldn’t do that; thought again. Pal joined shortly after, ailing evidently. When the first went for a pee, the other doubled over and stayed doubled couple minutes. On the first’s return a lottery ticket became the focus of attention. With the journal open all the while, rapier pointed and occasionally deployed, chap knew better than to intrude, respecting the divide. (Schopenhauer’s challenge at his café table was recalled, the old curmudgeon offering reward for something he hadn’t previously heard—from any who thought they could deliver.) All of these guys had only a rudimentary form of the imposed language, of course. In his first scouting of the prospects for a pew, the man had offered in passing, Have a break. Have a Kit Kat. Initial thought had been a suggestion to take a pause from the labour; he might offer you a little out with some chat. The men’s English often came in lines from the old crooners, rock ‘n roll, school rhymes & advertising tags.