“I would not describe you as tiny, but neither do you look very fit. So what do you work with?” He might as well throw something back at him to keep the conversation floating. William didn’t look like someone working the force, or even something close to it. Perhaps a desk job was more his thing? “Assuming is only cheap when you have nothing to back your facts with.Have that happened to you? People laughing even when they don’t think your jokes are funny? I guess some have a hard time being honest with their opinions.” William came off as a bit too excited about this light joke he had in store, but for some reason it didn’t really matter. “You get spoiled milk”, Reese delivered in a casual tone, not feeling the need to sound too excited about the joke as a whole.
“That has more to do with my body type than me as a person, I’d think.” William pulled his shirt, showing the lack of muscle his body had. “I’m a nanny, so I don’t have to work it like you do. What pulled you into a police career? Sounds pretty dangerous.” Reese was nailing this conversation better than he was and it he placed a hand on his chest due to the question. “If! I used to be a person of power back home so of course no one dared to tell me my jokes sucked. Scared of getting fired, I think, even if I see no reason to fire people simply for that. Maybe to prank them, but who knows what chaos might have followed that.” The punchline pulled a genuine smile upon William’s lips, letting out a chuckle that wasn’t as rough as the laugh he had delivered during his own joke but close enough. “Nice! Knew you had something in store for me. Do you like animal jokes?”
“I am a police officer, which I assume is a tad bit important – but I could be wrong. You have a point and I guess I have some time to spare.” It was nothing wrong with the man, interesting to say the least and he had an attiude enough for them both. Unless you found his jokes offensive there wasn’t much to dislike at first meeting. “Maybe I am? But you will never know that, Mr William. Ah so that is how you meet your success with your jokes? You straight out trick people into laughing with you? Bummers, I wish it had worked on me too. I’m Reese, pleasure to meet you.” He might as well give this man some breathing space, but his wish for a joke made Reese cross his arms a bit. “Fine, I’m sure I have some joke that would fit your ways hold on… what do you get from a pampered cow?”
“Not at all! It’s great to know someone as robust as you are keeping tiny people like myself safe.” William placed a nudge on Reese’s arm, happy the man had finally given in to a chat. “Isn’t that a bit cheap to assume, I’m almost a bit hurt but then again it might be true. One way or another it would explain why my wife thinks my jokes are funny. Though you also have those type of people who only joke or laugh to be polite, you can barely feel the difference unless they are a bad actor.” He clicked with his tongue, but felt pleasantly suprised hearing Reese throw something back at him. “I don’t think I have heard this one, go on.”
“And why does this not surpise me. I still happen to be on duty, you see and I cannot spend my whole lunch listening to your jokes.” Of course it felt a bit bad to speak so harshly to someone who was clearly only trying to start a conversation with him, and he reminded himself to slow down. “Last time I checked a joke is supposed to make others laugh and not just you, so if you intend for that to happen you should hold onto that laughter until you have delivered the punch line at least.” A light smirk took over his lips, knowing he had a few jokes on his own dwelling inside his head, but just how much of them would the man understand? They all had Narnian roots and surely the guy wasn’t from there. “I do, who doesn’t, but I’m sure they wouldn’t be of your kind. How about you tell me your name instead.”
“And what do you do that’s so important? I can’t find a better way to spend such a dreadful hour on, better to be cracking jokes than poking that food in silence.” Yeah, this man seemed a bit stiff but at the same time William had the feeling he was only hiding his relaxed, joyful self. “Will you look at that, a master at delivering jokes huh? Probably, but sometimes you can trick people into laughing simply by laughing yourself so I’m not too sure actually.” He shrugged, spotting the tiny playful glimmer in the man’s eyes that told him that his suspisions had been true. “It’s William, and you won’t know unless you try. I’m up for all kinds of jokes, don’t be shy.”
“Awright then. I’m listenin’.” He stopped right then and there, standing in the middle of the room with his full attention focused on the guy. When the joke had come and passed he stared on like it had not even be told yet, but suddenly a wide grin crept upon his bearded face. And then, laughter. Loud and deep and cheerful and very similar to a horse’s whinny. When his sides started to shake so uncontrollably he went to stop them but only ended up crossing his arms and then softly falling onto the floor on which he rolled and chuckled away on. Finally when the eruption had subsided he looked up with small tears in his eyes and stated, “Yessir. Yes it is!” It truly wasn’t that funny; however, he didn’t quite care. Sometimes it was alright to be goofy even if one wasn’t showing off one bit during it.
William’s lips turned into a goofy smile at the laughter coming from the younger blond man. It amused him to see his joke hit so hard, even if it wasn’t necessarily original or even one of his best. “A good joke is the key to everything, I say!” He gave the boy a wink, waiting for him to calm down before he continued to speak. “I always fancy people who can keep up with my humor, I don’t think I ever introduced myself or asked for your name -- I’m William, by the way. Do you have any good jokes on store?” This guy couldn’t be that old, in his mid twenties or something like it, which made him like the guy even more seeing his own son was about that age too. Oh what he would give to go back to those simple times.
Reese rolled his eyes at the man who had basically been throwing childish jokes his way for the past ten minutes, even though he had clearly tried to state that he was on duty and didn’t have time to listen. “Fine, one more”, he said in a made up stern way, hoping the other would catch the drift. Crossing his arms and narrowing his stare, Reese could do nothing more but glare at him for that punch line, wondering if it was actually wise for him laugh. After a few seconds he let out a tsk, shaking his head and crossing his arms. “Is that really all? Your humor is quite… different, if I have to admit it. You should work on delivery though.”
Even now it didn’t feel as if his joke had caught on with the man, it was a shame seeing as his joke and delivery both had been top notch! “I have more, but I should save them for later in case i need to use a ice breaker for some reason. My humor is just fine, people who don’t get it tend to be the stiff type, but then again...” William eyed the tall and robust man, shrugging. “What was wrong with my delivery? At least someone is laughing.” He moved on his spot, wishing to bring out more of a reaction from this fella. “Do you have any jokes to share then?”
“Oh no, don’t go yet I have at least one more joke I can share hold on...” William clicked with his tongue, allowing a dramatic pause to take place over his voice before he continued: “Why did the toilet paper roll down the hill?” a smug took over. “To get to the bottom!” As he delievered the punch line it didn’t take long for him to throw into a fit of laughter, slapping his leg. “It’s great, isn’t it?”
Ah… haha, guess you’re right about that. I mean, yeah, of course you are. Better to be honest right away, isn’t it? Oh well, I look foward hearing about that progress for sure. Remember to write it down, it becomes legit science when you do. Hm, nothing you can do about it. Don’t beat yourself up but… she’s kind, jokes around with people, likes sailing if I remember right. Don’t know why they picked staying in England though but eh. Thanks, and you’ll have to ask him, not me. Sure, so we’re actually doing it then? Sweet!
Why wouldn’t I be right? I still have some wisdom to share within, I promise that. It sure is, I can never state enough about how important it is to be honest with another person. Lies only keep you down, it doesn’t help you move further. I wonder why humans lie, actually... hm, write it down? I don’t see why not, I’ll mail it later in that case. I’m not, don’t worry and she does sound nice. Maybe I’ll get to meet her some day. England doesn’t sound like a good place to stay if you like that sort of stuff, no. Of course, ‘bout time we do something together. I’ll let you lead, or we will end up lost.
No, mom is hiding away all of those dark secrets. I think I’m better off without them. How far out can you go? Uh… when I was thirteen I think. I don’t remember much of it. His wife is great though, you would have liked her. He has like three kids by now or something. Yeah, when it’s done right it is. No, I’m not. It’s really not that important. You sure? I don’t mind, actually. It’s the only satire I can really get behind, unless it’s done awfully well.
What we don’t know can’t hurt us, isn’t that what they say? Though, of course, it always ends up hurting twice as much when you figure it out. Well I have yet to reach my final stop, so I’ll let you know. Ah... damn. So many years ago. Oh well, that’s life -- or the opposite of life, I’m not sure. Hm, what’s she like? Three? God... how does he manage that? Two was enough for me, I’m thankful both of you were awfully calm and tidy most of the time. If you don’t, then why not? We can have some small talk when we need breaks from the TV.
“A mother?” Lucas blinked, curious. No, he hadn’t had much of that, either. He felt some guilt not knowing about what parents are supposed to be, but he didn’t dare show any vulnerability. “I don’t really have any parent, so it’s hard for me to know much about them, but I do know I’m fine with myself.” He stared at the adult as he rambled on. “Ah, hurting someone else,” Lucas gave a wary smile. “You caught me there. Fine, I’ll stay here.” Heaven knows he won’t.
So he had ended up in a conversation with an orphan? It was enough dealing with children whose parents didn’t know how to raise them, but now also children who hadn’t been raised at all. Life sure couldn’t get any better. “Parents are simply humans too, you don’t have to know much besides that. They’re not some strange life forms from another planet. Yeah, kids like telling themselves that they are.” William let out a short laugh, shaking his head. “My daughter once promised me she wasn’t going to draw on her bedroom walls, guess how that ended.”
Are you trying to tell me my memory will go downhill once I reach 30? Ouch. I have no idea of what he did, I don’t meet him that often. He kind of moved to England with his wife. Well… they are still going, or will be going, after summer is over. I just won’t be a teacher anymore. So in one way it was big, but in another way it was never fully my project to begin with. I always have something going on. It’s not your fault, though. I could teach you some of it later, if you want to. Hah, no, it’s political satire at its finest I have heard.
Sadly enough I am. Didn’t Eleanor warn you about that? Hah, , but no, actually it’s just me being further out of the loop than before. When did Robert get married? God... I have missed everything it feels like. That’s a good thing at least, education has always and will always be important. It needs to be as open as possible. So you are not going to tell me what it is? Ah no, you don’t have to, I will figure it out on my own I think. Satire? Okay, might work.
“A son?” Lucas tilted his head. He didn’t know many people in the Society well. “Hmm, I wouldn’t know. I never had a father.” Lucas shrugged as if to brush it off, but in the back of his mind it was painful not to have someone be a fatherly figure to him. “Hurt? That doesn’t scare me,” he said, blinking as if it was ridiculous just to think of it.
“Yes, he’s here too and I really don’t want a rumor of me pulling illegal things with a minor to reach him.” William let out a sigh, both his parents had been there for him throughout the years and though he didn’t know the feeling of being without one, he could still guess the ways it would effect someone. “No? Did you have your mother then? Mothers are just as important.” His wife had always been more cut out for the family life, with a strong care for both of her children. However, he had connected more with his daughter than his son in the end and that sure showed in present day. “Of course it doesn’t, it never does until you actually end up hurt. Or end up hurting someone else.”
For most, things haven’t changed a lot. I told you that before, didn’t I? I mean, unless you wish to study further but no one’s done that in our family, have they. Uh well… they ended by the start of June with school. I’m not in charge of them anymore. I’m not out of work though, I know what I’m doing. You should really take some time to get to know technology, this era is completely made up of that but… I don’t know, some comedy maybe? Ever heard about Parks and Recreation?
Right, even my memory is starting to turn shitty. I don’t know, I think a few have studied further... Robert did, if I remember right. Huh, already? That didn’t go on for long, I had almost expected you to do something bigger with it. Your ideas are never small. Did you just switch job or did you do something on the side? Ugh, I feel so confused at times. I know, I know I just... it doesn’t sit very well with me I’m afraid. Hm, no, can’t say I have. It’s not some childish humor or something, right?
“Please,” Lucas rolled his eyes. “Why not go all crazy over the weekends?” He slung a bag over his shoulder. “I already have half the store in this. If you don’t care to join me, then you must be really boring.”
“I’m not boring, I just happen to be a 35 years old with kids. It wouldn’t sit well with someone like me doing something that reckless.” William crossed his arms and stared at the younger. “I would never support my son doing something like that, so why would I support you? You will end up hurt one way or another.”
“Or possibly your complete ignorance and disregard for any other being’s wisdom, yes? Age is not equivalent to experience. You may just be a foolish old man. No one needs your approval. It’s quite audacious for you to assume….This is a waste of breath. I’m bored.”
This girl was already getting on his nerves, yet he did his best to stay calm. “No, not at all. I have plenty of experience beyond my age, mind you. But sometimes you have to be a certain age or gone through a certain stage to be able to see the full picture of a problem. Plenty of people have been in the need of my approval through the years, yet I don’t even have to lean in that to understand when a idea simply is a stupid idea. Most youth seem to easily get bored, how sad.”
Of all the places he had to work at it had to be a daycare. William had just stepped inside the building when his eyes and hears felt the presence of children running around at 8a.m in the morning. It wasn’t something new to him, his son had been about the same age two years ago… his time. That part still felt odd to him, but his head was starting to get more used to it as time passed. His old life was behind him and he had a new job to put his focus upon. Sadly enough he didn’t find it to be as joyful as usual and hadn’t been for the past days.
“WILLIAAAAM!” a young, female voice screamed and not too long after a brown haired child of five came running his way. Her mother always left her off early and the girl never failed to pull off a smile everyone’s way.
“Ah, hi Trish”, he replied a bit reluctant. He bent down to be able to catch the girl, Trisha, before she threw herself at him. Thankfully she let him go after just a quick hug and he hurried to state that he had something to take care off, and therefore couldn’t stay and talk. Trisha gave him a frown and began to pull his shirt, which didn’t do him any more good. “Please, I can come and play with you later – I’m sure one of your friends will show up within an hour or so.” William wasn’t sure of why he held back or pushed the girl away, often he was known to be playful and to stay at the children’s level – but this week had been different ever since Friday. Maybe it was just one of those weeks? Yeah, that had to be it.
Once Trish was out of the way William moved further into the building to meet up with one of his coworkers: Felicity Lowe. She was two years younger than him, 33, and had been working at the daycare for almost six years. She came off as a bit exhausted at times, but neither less she never let down a child and always did her best to stay excited and active. There were one more coworker to arrive later, but not until after lunch. William threw a “good morning” her way while he walked over to the coffee machine across the small kitchen area.
“Where do they get all the energy from?” Felicity said with a shake of her head, putting down her own coffee cup in the sink.
“They have yet to see the horrors of life, that’s what”, William said with a shrug. Felicity let out a laugh at his comment, moving over to the table instead. They ended up chatting for a couple of minutes before the female had to move out of her chair to check up on the few kids that had disappeared into their TV room.
Upon that the little girl Trisha once again saw her chance to gain the male’s attention. She came sneaking up to him with a paper in her hands, putting it down on the seat next to his. “Look!” she said and pointed at her drawing.
William glanced down, staring at the mess of lines that was supposed to look like something. Normally he would have clapped his hands together and asked for the story behind the character she had drawn, but now instead he kept a straight face and narrowed his eyebrows a bit. “What’s that?” he asked. His question did not sit well with the girl.
“Can’t you see? The fire, Will! Big, scary… rawr!” Trish made a monster sound, lifting her hands up in the air as she tried to come off as frightening.
“Uh… a monster?” he tried, but Trish only shook her head.
“No, a dragon.”
“A dragon? Why would you draw a dragon? There aren’t any dragons around anymore.”
Trisha became silent and pursed her lips, her fingers wrapping around the drawing. “What do you know about that?” she said after a while. “Dragons are real and they are great, you are no fun.” She put the paper against her chest and walked away with big, angry steps. Again: normally William would have apologized for his answer, or played along better, but today his head only found it more pleasing to see the children stay away from him rather than flock around him. Dragons had been extinct for generations back home, here they didn’t exist at all – or at least not in their original form. He was right and it sure saved him the trouble of having to act like a magical creature later during the day.
With that he only took another sip out of his cup as he waited for the day to be over.
Well of course you mustn’t trust everyone you meet. But there are some you can, and you’ll never get a chance to find them if you cling on to the people that you know and never take a chance.
I take chances, though I prefer to take chances with things I am at least a tiny bit familiar with. This city is huge, not to mention the wide lands outside the city too. I’m sure both would end up lost in the process.
You think that’s the way I roll? I have been working since I was– well, since school ended. There has never been shortage of work from or for me, dad. I can pay my rent, can’t I? I’m just asking you to watch a series with me, what’s so hard? You think? Mom likes pretty much everything I do, doesn’t say much.
School end once you hit 18, right? Or have they changed it while I was gone? Sure, for now. How long will those study groups go on? What will you do after your work is done there? Of course she does, she was always a family type. Hm... fine, what type of series are we watching? I’m still a bit out of the loop with this technology.
