The Square Block

          “You’re lucky it was someone like me you wasted the time of, and you’re lucky you’re not a complete douchebag. Be more careful next time. Humans aren’t this kind.”

[ He’s on edge, now. He knows better than anyone that the world is full of strange creatures, and he tenses, ready to flee at a moment’s notice. ]

          “Your boss says it’s fine to show up late today. You should be grateful for my… coercing, however.”

“I-- Thank you!, Goodness, thank you! You don’t understand how grateful I am! I owe you, miss, I really do.”

          “I can’t believe an idiot like you is wasting my time and efforts… What’s your name and where do you work?”

“Oh! My name is Aeron Rees, and I work at the butcher shop on 98th avenue!”

          “Of course it is! …Though, weren’t you supposed to be catching a bus? I believe the soonest one has left already.”

“Hopefully it won’t be too long a wait until the next one comes. I’m sure that my boss will understand.”

          “…And what if walking around you cost too much extra time, forcing me to be late? Or if I was already beginning to run late, I wouldn’t have expected some asshole to be spacing out in the middle of the walkway, and might have run into you! Really, I’ve never met someone who thought so little.” She crosses her arms triumphantly.

[ Though not quite understanding her logic, he decides to agree and placate her. ]

          “…” Her own hesitation makes her cringe somewhat. “…You should still be more careful when checking the time. What would you have done if you had made me late to something important? You’re lucky I hadn’t needed to get anywhere.”

“Could you not have simply... walked around me?”

          “Wait, really–? God, what kind of a loser are you? Seriously? Not even a watch?”

“Ah, no. Most of my money goes toward supporting my family, and myself.”

          “Well–… Well… don’t you have a cellphone or something?! A watch? Do people really still really on public clocks?”

[ He laughs nervously, rubbing the back of his neck. Though, it is true; he hasn’t yet fully caught up with all of the modern technology, despite living through its creation. ]

          “And it didn’t occur to you to just walk up to it? Jesus, I was giving you more credit than I should’ve. I thought you were actually thinking.”

“I would have, if not for the fact that my stop around the corner. I thought I left ample space on the sidwalk when I stopped. Again, I apologize!”

          “Well, you did. What possessed you to stop in the middle of a sidewalk to think of your shitty life choices?” 

“I-I assure you, that wasn’t my intention! I was merely trying to read the time on the bus stop clock down the block.”

          “Do you plan on continuing to block the paths of others or are you going to stop staring off into space like an idiot and move?”

“Ah! I am so very sorry-- I didn’t mean to block your path!”