I needed a drink, but didn't want to be in a bar. Seeing how there was a grocery store near by, I decided to
hop on over, get a six pack, and walk around for a while. I walked in and in my dazed state of being I must have
missed the wet floor sign. Anyway, I slipped and fell on the floor. A middle aged man came running over to see
if I was alright. I said I was, and he insisted on helping me to my feet. "Hey sir, are you alright. I do
appologize about your fall. I guess you didn't see the 'wet floor' sign when you walked in."
I was a little red-in-the-face about the whole ordeal. I proceeded to let him help me up by the hand, while
I struggled to gain my balance. "Well,I guess so!" I was sarcastic in my tone since this man seemed a like an
educated fool.
"Wow, you're not from here," he noticed in his 'Gomer Pileish' voice. "Were you from mister. The way you talk
is not from round these parts."
"I'm from California."
"California." His eyes got real big, like it was another planet away. "Wow, that's far away. You know my cousin's
nephew, Charlene, was going to be an actress. She was going to go out there and see if she could make it. I thought
I would never see here again, you know, since it's so far away, and there are so many people and stuff. And wow,
here stands someone from there. It's like a world away." His southern accent ringed in my ear.
"Well, what happened," I questioned.
"About what sir," he looked puzzled.
"About the relative that was going to go to California." Obviously this guy was a local with the brain of a peanut.
His name tag was even upside down.
"Oh, Charlene. She had a hair appointment and missed the bus. So, she just stayed here. Yeh, she does other ladies nails
down on the river at a shop called 'The Beauty C-Lon." He seemed proud. "Sir, I believe I missed your name." He was done
helping me up from the damp floor.
"Well, my name is Frederick, but everyone calls me Rico. I already got your name Ray, but it seems like
your name tag is upside-down." I pointed at his green vest, while my inhibitions about telling him my real name were let
down. I didn't care anymore. I felt comfortable in this town. It's not to often that someone helps you up after a fall.
"Well by-golly I think your right." He snorted with an embarrased laugh. "Hey, I know a guy named Freddy. He works down
at the gas station where I buy my gas. He's got the same name as you, what a small world! Wow, can you believe the gas
proces these days. They are really getting up there. I've been thinking about riding my bike to work, but I don't know
it's the first of the winter and I might freeze at night." He seemed to ramble on and on in a monatary tone.
I think he could have gone on all night, so I had to stop him. "Well Ray, I have to be on the run.... things to do, you
know how it is."
"O.K., but are you gonna stay here long." His curiousity was funny as he bobbed his head from side to side.
"Well, I am teaching ballroom dance down at Mrs. Dugal's old dance studio."
His eyebrow raise high on his forehead, "Hey, I think I might stop by, for a couple of lessons."
"Well we would love to have you. Got to go, just stop by later." I got the hell out there before I got sucked into a
meaningless conversation. But that's what I like about this town. Everything is so carefree. The people are layed
back and the money is rolling in. Funny enough, I don't even have a license to teach dance and niether does Lizzy,
but if the money is there, I'll take it.
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Page last revised December 8, 1999