The Teflon Man melts part - 2: Bystander stands trial

 

 The next day Bystander impatiently stood in front of Muser to catch his attention. Muser was engaged in furiously writing, in three different dairies and on as many topics, oblivious to the surroundings.

He was aspiring to become a full fledged writer and spent hours on end at his writing table. He had set a deadline of three months for the project and in effect was trying to follow in the foot steps of the famous English novelist Edgar Wallace, who used to simultaneously dictate on three or four mystery novels. Muser found the efforts draining and his attempts pretty amateurish.

Coming back to the present, he greeted his friend and asked, “What do I owe you for your sudden visit?” Given such a chance, Bystander not was not a person to let go the opportunity to start his famous non-stop talking. He narrated the conversation (one sided of course) between himself and the senior citizen.

 From his friend’s s monologue Muser collected many points to cross-examine him. Muser not only advocates but also acts as an advocate - an able foil, to one another, during these long years of friendship.

He questioned, “What made you to take so much liberty with a senior citizen who happens to be a new friend?”  The reply he got was amusing to say the least.

Bystander explained why he came to like the old man. The absence of usual mannerisms seen in such aged people – multi coloured amulet threads adoring the wrist, gem stones studded rings on fingers, swiping the air with the nose, twisting or twirling of fingers, talking to themselves or drawing in the air while walking…. The list was getting longer.

Muser concluded that his bosom friend has lost his senses – because Bystander did not believe in superstitions.

Friend, “you did not open your mouth at the mention of young birds having no time even for elementary things in a day why? And what made you to think he was only concerned about the grown up children?”

Bystander replied, “I thought the senior citizen was going to open the flood gates to his compressed emotions. Hence I kept mine shut. It was my wild guess about the grown up children”

Muser appreciated his friend for the efforts to alleviate the sufferings from an agitated mind and to make the person enjoy the rest of his life. To keep Bystander’s enthusiasm in check, he advised him to be little more cautious in guessing and preaching, in future.

A pleased Muser asked his friend, "Earlier you were only a verbose. How come suddenly you possess poetical talents. Your description of an ideal setting for a celebration was really beautiful. Why don’t you take up to writing? Bystander was very much pleased to hear these words from the mouth of a reticent.

The bomb shells came next. “The odd man out was your references to MNC, smart phones and the .NET”. Don’t you think that it was little over done – to say the least it was a time bomb that could have gone either way. Remember my words and be little more careful. I would advise you to stick to poetical language, which many don’t have time to understand, and outwardly it would sound pleasant to hear.

Thank your good fortunes. The passing remark made by the gentle man indicates that still he is considering you a friend. If I were in his shoes, you would not be here talking to me. Let me wish you a grand success in your maiden, foolhardy attempt in counselling a troubled mind”, Muser finishing his questioning.

Unburdened and with a reassured conscience, Bystander decided to eagerly wait for the coming Sunday.