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As Don suggested, I went to "Everybody's coffee" down the block. They were already crowded with people having morning coffee. Among them, I saw Joe the lawyer sitting at the table outside and reading paper.
"Good morning, Joe the lawyer. I drew a flag last night."
I showed my drawing to him.
"Are you a patriot?"
Joe the lawyer gave a strange look at my drawing.
"Today is Flag day." I said.
"Flag day? What's that? Do they have another drawing contest in this neighborhood? They really don't have anything else to do, do they? Good for them. But I am moving out in this weekend. Finally good bye to this neighborhood."
I was shocked. I saw him often at this coffee shop and enjoyed talking with him although what he said was confusing most of the time.
"Where are you moving to?" I asked.
"More business district with lots of lawyers. 30 minutes from here.I'm moving to where I belong. This neighborhood is filled with unpublished writers and Picasso with no money. I don't fit in here."
"But you have lived here for more than 30 years. Mrs. Malchovich said you were one of the longest residents here." I said.
"I know I was too patient."
Stretching his back, Joe the lawyer continued. "I need more cases that I can make money out of. Like more serious cases that make me feel I am capable as a lawyer. But I can't find them here."
"Will you find them in your new neighborhood?" I asked. "Yeah, serious people are living there."
Joe the lawyer nodded and said, "Most of people in this neighborhood are happy as long as they can keep living in their dreams. When they find a problem, they don't need a lawyer. They'd rather create poems, music or paintings out of it. Then they are happy. I have been wasting my SAMURAI spirit in this neighborhood too long."
"Huh? SAMURAI spirit?" I asked.
"Remember this. In life, sometimes you might have to stand up and fight for your right. When you fight, it's always better to win than lose. But I don't find that kind of intensity in this neighborhood. Here is just so...........comfortable."
"Huh? What's wrong with being comfortable? " I asked.
"I'm a man! I need to succeed in my career! In my thirties, I'm supposed to be stressed out for climbing up the ladder for my career instead of feeling so......comfortable."
"Huh?"
"I need to put myself in a serious environment and mingle with right people. Life is short. I can't waste my life here any longer. My SAMURAI spirit is craving for intensity! That's why I am moving out!" "..........Huh?"
"Would you PLEASE stop saying Huh?"
Joe the lawyer seemed annoyed by my "Huh?". He got quiet and began to smooth out the newspaper he crumpled while talking.
"But If you move out, you can't see Mrs. Malchovich any more. Don said you liked Mrs. Malchovich secretly."
I said what Don told me not to tell anyone because I wanted him to stay in this neighborhood.But Joe the lawyer just shrugged it off.
"Here is a good example of a daydreamer. Don't ever listen to Don unless you want to end up like him. Mrs. Malchovich is my client. She is fighting over the child custody with Mr. Machovhi.I am telling her we don't need any consultations at this moment, but she comes to my office every other day, insisting she need it. You know why? She just needs someone to listen to. I feel like I am a community therapist here."
"Mrs.Malchovich is fighting over the custard?.......HUH!?"
Joe the lawyer grabbed his coffee and paper and headed to the work before I tried further questions. He left me with lots of incomprehensible words again, but I was so sad to see he didn't like my neighborhood and he was determined to move out of here.
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After all, my Flag drawing was exhibited on the wall at Everybody's coffee.
That night the owner of the "Gallery Exclusive" came over. He said he wanted to buy my drawing for $300. But instead of $300, I demanded vet-prescribed canned cat food "Chicken Variety Pack".
"People at Everybody's coffee don't know anything about Art. But I noticed you put 49 stars in the flag instead of 50. I spent a whole day trying to figure out what one missing star stands for. What is that suggesting? Anything political? Alaska,Maybe?"
The "Gallery Exclusive" guy asked me. I had no idea what he was talking about. But anyway "Chicken Variety Pack" was really Yummy and I had another good day!
Human beings are so complicated sometimes.....
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