"Excuse me dear sir, my greatest apologies for infringing on your limited schedule this Monday afternoon. Would you be so kind as to lend an ear, perhaps for five minutes or so to an otherworldly anecdote?" A rather stale but scholarly voice addressed Abel from behind.
Abel turned around almost abruptly, to witness what he could only describe as the manifestation of an irony.
He was an impoverished man, so much so he may instill an impression of stark poverty and wretchedness in representative symbolism betraying his scholarly tone and manner of speech. The discoloration of his teeth and motley of his supposed gray hair as was characteristic of the hapless, with a back so badly bent he appeared to be over two feet below his literal stature served his appearance of destitute forlorn further.
A myriad of odors; none so mild as the public restrooms in rural areas, assaulted the air, pervading it with thick suffocating miasma stemmed from the man, yet he would infect the environment still with his speech.
A plethora of ticks and fleas made home on his skin, riddled with weeping sores and thus marred with wounds from repeated scratching.
With so many a repulsive characteristic, eighteen year old Abel Francis had reached the threshold of his tolerance mere seconds after he had been accosted by the poor fellow, yet he exercised restraint albeit a little as he couldn't help but instinctively take a step back putting some distance between them and engulfing his nose in a perfumed handkerchief.
The unkempt fellow let out a hearty laugh, doing more injustice to the air and the young man to whom was speaking "Forgive me, It's been a long while since I was last privileged to practice proper hygiene."
Is this an attribute of a bad day? God I'd rather be struck by thunder, here I am under the sun of a bustling city engaged by a beggar who yet has the audacity to ask my forgiveness repeatedly
" No no, It's no problem, I'll hear your story but we would have to find some shade first." Abel masked his ire in a smile as he gestured with his free hand towards the terrace of a restaurant some few paces away.
"Yes, yes, If those are your terms, then I am in no position to refuse. I also do not have a predilection for sun burn" the unkempt fellow humbly replied.
Abel's gaze remained fixated on the beggars eyes but he could see none of the excitement that would come with offering a beggar free food. He gave a nod in acknowledgement then walked towards the restaurant, expecting that the fellow would know to follow and follow he did.
He betrayed his intrinsic thoughts and repulsion for the fellow, to feed his curiosity.
The security guard narrowed his eyes at the rare sight of a seemingly well to do young man of considerable status and a filthy older man approaching the restaurant together. This was the first time he'd seen such in the four years he'd worked here.
Nevertheless he had resolved to not let the filthy older man inside as his presence would inconvenience the other customers.
Abel and the poor fellow reached the restaurant and to no one's surprise the guard wouldn't let them in
"Can you really not make an exception this time, it's an outdoor terrace we'll stay at the edge over there far from the other customers." Abel gestured towards the farthest corner of the terrace at the east side.
The security guard who from his name tag was called Jerry, would hear none of it.
"No, it's policy. Inconveniencing the customers could get my pay cut or worse cost me my job." Jerry shook his head in disagreement as he stood at the entrance with no intention of letting them through
"It won't matter if we stay at that corner, the breeze is blowing westward if we stay over there then his stench can't reach the customers." Abel said calmly, trying to convince the guard.
Jerry paused in reflection for a few seconds. The young man before him made a considerable point but his fear of a poor performance on the job slowly filtered the logic and fed his reluctance once more.
"Even so, you would still have to pass by them on your way there, such a horrible stench can kill a persons appetite instantly. I don't know why a man like you insists on walking with this pauper, certainly he can't be someone dear to you nor someone you've known for a while else he wouldn't be in such a state." At this point Jerry was reaching his limit, he wanted the filthy fellow to move as far away as possible.
He held his nose to block the odor, while breathing with his mouth. Abel thought this was a stupid thing to do, since your mouth can't filter microbes but that was none of his business.
"I believe they won't perceive a thing, if we walk at the edge." Abel took out a note from his pocket and pressed it against Jerry's hand. "Here's a tip for your good riddance and the trouble. As for why I'm walking with this man that is none of your business, you'd do well to turn your attention away from things that don't concern you, it'll save you a lot of trouble Jerry." Abel warned with a smile on his face.
With that Abel and the poor fellow entered the restaurant, taking Jerry's tacit silence as approval.
What a hassle, why am I even doing this? Curiosity? I'm going through all this trouble just to listen to the ramblings of a mad man, is this what's breakup does to a person? Abel sighed as he analyzed his plight.
They finally settled down at the table and Abel broke the silence first with a probe to check if the fellow just came up with a plan to get free food. "You've been oddly quiet since we got here, is it because you've already achieved your objective?"
The poor fellow gave a hearty chuckle. "Oh no, this story is my true objective I must share it with someone. If I had dared to speak out there we would probably still be outside."
Even though he had adapted to the stench, the poor fellows speech was still as repulsive as ever, Abel completely agreed with him. "Indeed. You may proceed with your story but first why did you approach me of all people surely I'm not the only well-dressed person that unfortunately happened by you today."
"A fair question good sir, a fair question Indeed but alas I cannot provide an answer at the moment. You will come to know the truth by the end of my story." The beggar said while bowing his head slightly.
Abel pursed his lips, skepticism had begun to fade his curiosity.
_Is this guy for real? Let me just hear his story then it's not like I have anywhere else to be._ "Fine whatever." Abel said as he waved the waitress over
The waitress made her way to the table hastily, she appeared to be completely immune to the stench of the beggar, she had obviously been forewarned. "What would you like to have sir?"
"A glass of orange juice and a serving of whatever you think we'd like." Abel said leaving the waitress a bit flustered
"Um... are you certain sir?"
Abel waved her off smiling "Yes, yes I am. My friend will have the same. Adventure is nice don't you think?"
"Noted sir, your meals should be ready in fifteen minutes." The waitress ignored his question and quickly left.
Abel looked at his wrist watch for a few seconds, a trace of sadness colored his eyes, but he regained his composure almost immediately and stuffed the watch in his pocket. "Where were we?" He said addressing the beggar.
The poor fellow cleared his throat, the sounds of thick spasms in his throat were telling of his deteriorating health. "Firstly, you have my most sincere gratitude good sir, it has also been a long while since I had a proper meal."
So I was right then, let's see?
"It's fine, what was it called again, a corporal work of mercy or something, it doesn't matter. Get on with the story." Abel said welcoming his gratitude impatiently.
"Right away sir. I would like to establish a rule though, you might've observed I have been quite slow to start that's because this is of utmost importance. You must not interrupt the anecdote beyond the three questions you have."
The beggar had a serious look on his face this time, this made Abel feel a bit uncomfortable but he didn't probe any further. "Will I get to ask more questions after the conclusion?"
"Yes of course if you are still here then I would happily answer your questions till you are satisfied." The beggar said with the same seriousness as before
If I'm still here, where would I possibly go to? I might've really been accosted by a man with switching rationality. Abel lamented "That's fine."
The beggars smile widened, showing his discolored dentals once more" I will now begin."