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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Fulfillment (04/06/06)
Tobias, a rather knowledgeable man, and Jacob, a rather ignorant man, were good friends when they weren't enemies. Today, as they sat at the lunch counter -Tobias thinking and Jacob eating-, they were friends.

"Jacob?"

A rumble of acknowledgement penetrated Jacob's bread and teeth.

"Are you fulfilled?"

Jacob, holding a mostly eaten ham sandwich, opened a full mouth and said something like, "No, sir! I could go for another one of these."

Tobias, who when with Jacob had a tendency to shake his head and roll his eyes, responded so to Jacob's answer. "No, no, that's not what I mean."

Jacob stilled, glared at Tobias, and sprayed bread crumbs as he mumbled, "Making a joke about my weight, eh?" (Truth be told, Jacob had well exceeded his top weight limit, but note also that Tobias had plunged well below his bottom limit. But, really, who and where are these people who bookend our weight, and who told them to do that?)

"No, no," said Tobias rolling his eyes again, "Are you fulfilled? Are you satisfied with your life? Are you content?"

"Well, uh, I guess, sometimes -pass the salt, please-, but I never really thought about it." He set the sandwich on the plate and grasped the pickle spear.

"I'm not," declared Tobias over Jacob's pickle crunching.

"Why?"

"I don't know."

"You need a wife," said Jacob who had retaken his sandwich and was squinting at it with his right eye as if taking aim.

"No, I don't believe that."

"You gentlemen need anything?" inquired a passing waitress who happened to be thin and unblessed with beauty, much like Tobias.

"He needs fulfillment," said Jacob, "he needs a w-"

"Jacob!" Tobias loudly and speedily whispered, "Shut you're foolish mouth." He dared not look at her, for he was slightly attracted to her, but lowered his blushed face and said, "We're fine, thank you." The puzzled waitress moved on leaving a pattering heart behind.

"Good grief," exclaimed trembling Tobias through his closed teeth. He grabbed and pulled Jacob's shirt. "I don't need a wife, and I certainly don't need you telling women that I need one." He abruptly released chuckling Jacob.

Jacob retrieved the sandwich which had fallen from his hand. "Well, a wife is the only thing you don't have, as far as I can see. Bessy makes me happy." He took a rare pause for thought, then said, "that is, when she's not giving lectures like she gave last night."

"A wife is not the answer," said Tobias frustrated and fiddling with his chips.

"Then what is?"

I don't know."

"All the time you spend reading and learning and you don't know?"

Tobias shrugged, "I just think something's missing."

"Well, there's your problem."

"What?"

"Turn your big brain off and open your eyes. Stop thinking about what might be, and start enjoying what you have." He lightly elbowed Tobias and smiled, "Them's my father's words."

"And what do I have?"

"You have a fine ham sandwich with mostly good lettuce, tomato, and mustard. The bread is only a bit stale. The pickle spear is crisp. The chips are perfect, except for that burnt one on the edge of the plate. I reckon if you'da stopped thinking and had started enjoying that food, you'da been more satisfied during the past ten minutes." And Jacob continued eating his lunch.

Jacob's words threw Tobias into silent pondering which ended when Tobias nodded and said, "I think you're right. Yes . . . I declare . . . I think you're right."

Jacob, wiping his mouth, winked at Tobias, pointed to Tobias' lunch, and said, "You gonna eat that?"

"I sure am!"

"Rats!"

"Want half?"

"I do."

"You surprise me, sometimes, Jacob. You're a good friend." He slid his plate to Jacob.

Jacob promptly took half the sandwich and said, "Not so bad yourself, Tobias. Let me know if I can help you find a wife. Say, here she comes again. Look there, Tobias. She wears no ring. Just say the word, and I'll-"

"Keep your mouth shut and eat," interrupted a very red Tobias.

"How do I do that?"

Tobias, shaking his head and rolling his eyes, joined his chuckling friend in devouring a very fulfilling ham sandwich.
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This article has been read 1193 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Helen Paynter
04/13/06
Some great turns of phrase, good message which you were subtle about (I like subtle), just watch you're /your
Thanks
Jan Ackerson
04/14/06
These are two really great characters! You developed two fully formed personalities in very few words--not an easy feat to pull off. I love it!

When using a dash--like this--you don't need a comma.

This is one charming story!
Delores Baber
04/14/06
Loved the two characters. How wise you are to demonstrate that the more intelligence one has the more likely they are to miss the obvious. Always seeking more knowledge while the satisfying aspects of life just out of reach and what stands between Tobias and fulfilled was being blocked out by all the books he absorbed. Strange. It's often true but it still seems that it should not be that way. You've choice of words and descriptions indicates a very talented person.