The Old Ragged Man

The Old Ragged Man

On Barton Avenue, walking south one can see how slowly it gets busy at dawn in Barnacle. Vendors open street coffee stands, slide up their rolling doors, sweep their store front and hose down the malodorous fumes from the night before. The same pattern of waking happens on the busiest streets in Barnacle. In convenience stores, owners greet the early birds who buy some snacks before heading to their jobs. People perambulate in front of the main post office on South Barton Avenue until it opens at 9:00 a.m.

By 10:00 a.m., shops, stores and government offices run as usual. Fanny, a young psychologist, has graduated at Barnacle University. She knows her city as well as the content of her pocket. She often races her bike on the streets of Barnacle. But Monday morning she strolls down Barton Avenue heading to the French bakery, the sweet-eatery, her favorite spot, to pick up a loaf of bread and croissants.

Further, south on Barton Avenue, Fanny once a month stops at the Epicurean store craving for a small order besides a complementary treat from the buffet as she lives on a tight budget on such fancy food. Monday morning, when she enters the Epicurean deli shop she finds a display of freshly prepared colorful appetizers and entrees. She buys some fish with spicy Asian sauce to take out. As she exits, Tom, one of her residence’s neighbor runs into her in front of the store.

“Hi Fanny,” Tom says. “I see, you treat yourself with a delicacy.”

“Yep.”

“Something to share in your menu”?

“Nope,” Fanny says calmly. “I relish my only once a month treat, sorry.” Indifferent to Tom’s talk, she leaves.

She often observes people on the streets of Barnacle: she even talks sometimes to homeless people and inquires about their si...

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... producing crops at large scale. The campesino from Honduras or from any other country in the southern hemisphere is poor by definition. If he can make it to the rich countries and find a living, he won’t return home.

Sly as a fox, she can easily persuade her friends to show consideration for people’s differences. She also states that she forbids herself to discriminate against people who are from dissimilar ethnicity or race.

“We admire you for your community involvement in Barnacle,” Marga and Penelope affirm.

“That is a welcoming compliment. It’s time to break up,” Fanny rises. She steps away.

“Next time an opportunity to volunteer takes place we want to be part of it,” Marga and Penelope assure loudly.

“That sounds awesome, and I guess Tom joins us, right Tom?” Fanny content walks further away.

“Why not”?

“I may do too,” Angelica at last speaks up.