man oh man

“Well, um– maybe you could wear one of those headphones or earplugs. They could block out the noises.”

“Y’know, you might be onto somethin’ there... Not a bad idea at all. The good ones cost a shit ton though, right?”

“Well not exactly but their parents do the taxes and voting. Maybe try somewhere else less crowded? Maybe um— a library for instance?”

“Then their parents can sit in the park when I have a headache.” mac shrugged, “Libraries don’t have fresh air.”

“Aren’t they the same thing?”

“Shit, ya sound like a man with a vendetta.”

“Maybe it’s the summer school kids. I’m sure we were all them once upon a time.”

“Nah, can’t be like ‘em, never went to summer school.”

“What, you weren’t like that when you were a pre-teen? All loud and hopeful and happy to be with friends and not yet crushed by the world and all its shitty problems?”

“I was a piece‘a shit as a pre-teen.” mac raised an eyebrow, “And definitely not loud and hopeful and happy. This is my Scrooge moment, lemme have it.”

“Exactly, respect your elders, ya whippersnapper.”

“What’s wrong with the pre-teens enjoying their day at the park, though?”

“I’ve got a real shitty headache right now, and those kids like to scream. ‘S like their parents forgot to get their ears checked out.”

“Yikes. I would never recommend the park for peace and quiet. Those fucking rodents will always be around.”

“Rodents? Talkin’ about actual rats now, or are you even more against pre-teens than I am?”

“Oh man, that’s your own fault for thinking you could get peace and quiet at a public park.”

“The birds were chirpin’. Felt right. Then, in one fell swoop, kids everywhere.”

“Pre-teens ain’t so fuckin’ bad mate! They’re so hyped on life, fuckin’ snapchattin’ every 5 seconds. Soakin’ the world up. Better luck at the library or somethin’. Maybe in the middle of an ocean. Maybe in a cab.”

“I know what I was like when I was a pre-teen, n’ I was fuckin’ awful. Didn’t even have snapchat then. What is it with people thinkin’ libraries are these safe havens? You ever been in one lately? They’re all awful messes.”

“Good point, kinda stuffy actually.” She shrugged. “There can’t be that many in summer school, not compared to the park.” She giggled shaking her head, “ Hmm how about a nice rooftop with a view?

“True, probably plenty of ‘em skippin’ summer school anyway. Rooftop with a view, huh? That’s somethin’ I can get behind. Nobody disturbing peace n’ quiet on rooftops.”

“I’ve been trying to be a more cultured person,you know. Watching well-written movies and reading some books and stuff. I think I’m failing though…’’

“Alright, I’ll play. What kinda well-written movies and books make a cultured person?”

“An old soul’s gotta count for something.”

“The elderly can come to the park any time they want for peace n’ quiet, why’s it have to be different when it’s a dashing young man like me?”  

“That’s why parks are not a good idea. It’s not a peaceful place.”

“Well now, I wouldn’t go so far and say that all parks aren’t good places. I’ve been to plenty a’ good parks. Just so happens that this one’s havin’ a bad day. Y’know what I heard some kids talkin’ about earlier? Sex n’ drugs. Couldn’t’ve been more than twelve, and they sounded like rockstars. The world’s a crazy place.”

“Can’t blame them either for being there. It’s a public park and yet they’re also the citizen of fairford.”

“I don’t know... I don’t see these kids paying taxes or voting.”

“It’s the summertime you really should’ve expected this.” She chimes. “Tried the library yet?”

“Fair point.” mac shrugged, “Library doesn’t have the same fresh-air umph as the park. Plus, it’s probably filled with just as many preteens, only those preteens are there for summer school, so I’m not quite sure which one’n’d be worse.”