Real Novel Chapter Ten
From PenguinWiki
On the wall a slow clock ticks. Each tick, a second; although feeling infinitely longer. A Starbucks coffee shop, one of millions spread across the globe. Spreading quickly and expanding like some sort of caffeine cancer. In a dark corner of the store, Antonio listened. Had listened. Had been listening for what seemed like a lifetime; feeling bored near to tears. His companion the old Monk, Ignacio. Preaching to the agnostic. God. Good old times. The days when people helped each other because they were kind souls, not because they wanted something in return. "Bullshit," Antonio had felt the word rising to his lips; but cautious, and wanting not to have the monk go on any longer than was absolutely necessary, he fought the word back and remained silent, instead nodding and murmuring positive sounds at the appropriate times. But he was barely able to contain his contempt at the monk's prattle. People were not being kindly souls for no reward, they were after the reward in the afterlife, being the left hand of God. What better or bigger reward was there?
Antonio wished Ignacio would get to the point, suspecting that this whole ordeal would wind down to him being asked to do a favor for the old man. He doubted he even wanted to think about what this favor would be, and consequently tried to leave the table with as much tact as possible. Many times. Without success. Ignacio had a way of engaging and keeping people just a few moments more, especially when he could tell they were looking for a way out. He was lonely. Would never admit it, but he craved one-on-one time with others. He loosened his grip on Techno, who immediately began barking.
"Your train is leaving soon, boy," he said, Antonio nodded in desperate agreement. He wanted rid of this conversation, this town. "I know you feel you should be on that train, but I also know that Mexico City is a big place. Many people come, many people go. Some disappear without trace."
Antonio was confused and then concerned at the direction the monk suddenly seemed to be taking. Where was the babbling about God and Jesus and all that? Across the table, the old man seemed to sense his consternation and flashed him a sinister smile. There was clearly more to this old monk than he may have first thought.
"I have friends that will help you catch any train, any time. Just like how I've ones who can fix it so you'd never catch a train again." Ignacio paused a little for effect, and to let a noisy truck rattle past outside without disturbing his speech. "And don't try your tricks with me boy, Techno here likes you much."
Antonio was fuming; he couldn't believe his ears. He had been wrong. The monk was surely mad. One second a religious bigot, the next threatening to set the slavering monster dog on him like a stereotypical 1920's mafioso. There had been more to the monk than met the eye, yes, but not in a good way. To say such things in a crowded place like this? Mad. A mad old fool; too long alone, too many hours in the sun, with obviously only his mutt for company. Antonio knew he ought to tell the monk to go to hell and go back out to the station, but he felt a crawling sensation in his stomach, somehow trying to tell him that this one crazy old man was too much for him to handle alone. But he knew neither the city, nor any of the millions of people that were in it - not any more. Help was a long, long way away. Remembering how alone he was in this time and place made him sink further into his seat. He decided that it might be a good idea to tolerate this madman a little longer.
He felt glad, in part, that he no-longer carried the rifle. The situation he found himself in would be far too tempting, even in a public place. Such a simple escape. But... no, the rifle was gone, and besides there was no need for anything outrageous just yet. A little more time humoring this Rasputin and he'd be free. No bloodshed. He'd be free and gone and away from everything that had gone wrong in this accursed city.
He forced a smile onto his lips. "Truly, brother, if I had more time to sit and while away the day with you, I would. But as you say, my train will soon be here. I must take my leave." He rose, but a snarl from the big dog froze him in his tracks before he could slide out of the booth in which they sat.
(Back to Index) , (<- Chapter Nine) , (Chapter Eleven ->)
