Company Man | Previous Challenge Entry

how it works

TITLE: Company Man | Previous Challenge Entry
By Troy Perdue
02/05/08
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The small crowd of men and women were laughing loudly as they exited the downtown restaurant. Everyone appeared to be in high spirits – or high on spirits – as they stepped onto the sidewalk, lit pale yellow and flashing green by the glow of streetlights and neon signs. They numbered maybe seven or eight, and they were all attentive to him.

One woman was dress in a bright pink top, a short skirt (possibly a size too small) and pink stockings sparkling with tiny rhinestones. Her top plunged in the front and hung off one shoulder. Her friend dressed in similar fashion, in a short red dress with high-heeled black leather boots. From their frequent and open-mouthed laughs, they looked to be having a good time, and were probably a few sheets to the wind already. It was still early in the evening, maybe they were going a party or to a club to go dancing. Rings of smoke from their cigarettes drifted into the night sky as they bustled with their friends and waited for their cabs. Wherever they were going, they didn’t seem to want to leave him.

As they all mingled on the streetcorner, a few of the guys were animatedly telling him a story. Their excited movements and laughter almost cloaked the tattoos and piercing appearing here and there on their faces and their necks. They all wore black. Some dressed in leather jackets and pants, others in t-shirts and jeans. Each was excitedly sharing their part of the story with him, oblivious to the volume of their voices echoing down the street or the glances from passersby.

Still laughing from the last twist in the tale, he leaned into the street and hailed a taxi. The saga rambled on as they stood there in the neon glow of the beer signs, yet everyone’s attention was on him. Even those only listening to the story seemed more interested in his reaction than with the details of the tale itself. His hands were in his overcoat and he was smiling broadly. His knowing nods and quick quips gave the impression of an older brother who is deeply interested but unsurprised by the escapades of his younger siblings. By his wry smile you would guess that he already knew the ending to the story but enjoyed hearing his friends tell it all the same.

As a few taxis pulled up to the curb, the gaggle of merry goers began to disperse. Each one making a special point to bid farewell to him, shake his hand or give him a firm hug. As he stepped into his cab, the young woman in the pink top and glittering stockings yelled a parting farewell to him as she and her friend climbed into their cab. “’Bye, Preacher!”

At that moment a businessman who had descended to the street from his office turned the corner and headed to his car, shaking his head. I can't believe that guy considers himself a preacher and hangs out with tramps and lowlifes.

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