Composure

11.10.06

For a moment he thought about complaining, but then thought of his composure. He would not lose it. Casually, the tall man in a suit and tie, scoped out the room to be sure no one had seen his hesitation. He felted trapped, but he would not let anyone see a sign of weakness. He could when this battle. Might silence be perceived as intelligence? Inaction be construed as reservation? Wasn’t restraint a sign of strength? He slowly and intentionally squinted his eyes then rubbed his chin. Standing at the counter with an appearance of stoicism the quiet man considered his options. He could ignore the question. He could count to ten. He could hold his breath. He could eat a bowl of soup. Maybe no one would notice? By slowing his movements and thoughts he could bring the world to a stop. Unfortunately the world around him kept its normal pace. The lady at the counter repeated herself, “Sir, would you care for the soup of the day instead?” The tall, thoughtful man in the grey suit and tie with a stiff upper lip, quivered. His ignorance hidden… at least partially.For a moment he thought about complaining, but then thought of his composure. He would not lose it. Casually, the tall man in a suit and tie, scoped out the room to be sure no one had seen this hesitation. He felted trapped, but he would not let anyone see a sign of weakness. He could win this battle. Might silence be perceived as intelligence? Inaction be construed as reservation? Wasn’t restraint a sign of strength? He slowly and intentionally squinted his eyes then rubbed his chin. Standing at the counter with an appearance of stoicism the quiet man considered his options. He could ignore the question. He could count to ten. He could hold his breath. He could eat a bowl of soup. Maybe no one would notice? By slowing his movements and thoughts he could bring the world to a stop. Unfortunately the world around him kept its normal pace. The lady at the counter repeated herself, “Sir, would you care for the soup of the day instead?” The tall, thoughtful man in the grey suit and tie with a stiff upper lip, quivered. His ignorance hidden… at least partially.