We were walking down the street in downtown New York when this guy comes across to us. He was really old, certainly over forty, and a very smart businessman.
“I just wanted to say to you kids that I think you got it right.”
He shook me by the hand. Got what right, I wondered?
“I’ve worked for twenty years and I grind my ass into the ground. I’ve got a beautiful house, a wife and two lovely children but I never see them.”
He shook his head. “Some American dream, huh? I get up in the dark, kiss the wife and kids goodbye, drive to work in my flash car and work my butt off all day. I drive home in the dark and eat, watch a bit of telly and go to bed. I tell you I never see the house. I hardly see my wife and kids. I don’t do anything with my life other than work and earn money to spend on things I never see or use.”
“Something wrong, huh?” He shook his head.
“You kids got it right. At least you have fun, see something of the world. You do things. You’re not obsessed with money and status. I envy you. I wish I was young right now. I’d do it different!”
He shook my hand again and was gone.
21.9.01
You have the right to scream?
15.9.01