–Sir? How are you, sir? What can I get for you?
–Oh, I’m sorry for not hearing you, I was looking at my phone. Even though it’s my pet hate. Worst thing is, I wasn’t even looking at anything. Just scrolling through old photos to fill queuing time. I have this habit of reaching my phone when I’m somehow alone. It’s like this weird shield that keeps me safe from people approaching me.
–But what would you like to dr–
–And y’know, I really try not to look at my phone at every opportunity but it’s like a deep, irrepressible urge. Maybe I just can’t look the world in the eye. Or maybe, for some reason, even though I know they don't care, I’m just trying to tell strangers: “I am not alone! I have friends! I’m just on my own right now. But I’m talking to people, believe me. So don’t worry about me, I am doing just great.” And then I wonder if it’s all part of some kind of self-delusion I can’t even see because maybe the person I’m really trying to tell this to: that I am popular and that people need me and want to talk to me… maybe that person is me all along…and the more I think about that, the more I think: Well if you can’t sort out your relationship with your phone, an inanimate piece of plastic, then what hope do your relationships with people have?
–Yes but what do you want to drink?