A reminder

In the street. Midday. A woman, man and a three-year old.

“Ok, so see you later. I’m going now.”

“See you.”

“Don’t forget the pickled cucumbers. Mom! The pickled cucumbers, don’t forget them! Mommy! You like them! Mommy, pickled cucumbers! Remember the pickled cucumbers!”

***

Short-changer

In a library. Midday. A group of men.

“Hey, you know hey. You were right. It’s just as you said. He betrays her. I asked him, and he said… He’s ashamed. I said don’t you think for a minute I don’t understand what’s going on.  I don’t like it at all. Not one bit. So yeah… You’re a wise man, seeing that.”

***

Rodents

On the bus. Morning. Two first graders.

“There’s the lionhead, the pointy eared, the netherland dwarf… which are really cranky rabbits. Very cute, but really cranky. My favorite is the mini lop.”

“I saw the mice were sold for 10 euros. And there were rats for 25. The turtles were also 25.”

***

Scars

On the bus. Morning. Two first graders.

“You know I tried the inflatable mattress yesterday, for the first time. I fell and hit my knee, really bad!”

“Auch!”

“Yikes, auch, yes. It looks like a cyborg. I look like a cyborg. I’m a cyborg.”

“I fell on my face once. I was three.”

***

Partly agreed

At a bar. Evening. Two men.

“I sound drunk, don’t I?”

“That’s fine.”

“It’s the theme of the evening isn’t it?”

“…. it’s the theme of the evening.”

“You know when people ask me ‘how are you doing’, I reply ‘very well’, actually ‘god damn well’. Things haven’t been this well in… seven years. ”

[pause]

“I was thinking about my mother.”

“Oh yeah?”

[pause]

“Hilarious!”

“Depressing!”

***

Indecisive

At a second hand shop. Afternoon. A customer and a cashier.

“And these socks. Um, I’ll take the shoes out, I won’t be taking the shoes. How much is that?”

“But now I need start over…”

“Ok, I won’t take… Hey, was this dress…?”

“Ok, that’s enough fumbling…”

“Yea yea, fine.”

***