cars will one day reside in the museums of hate

THE PROFESSOR



With a hiss of rain the Professor entered the old brick library through the dirty glass
doors, made his way over to the computers opened his bag took out his glasses case
removed the glasses and placed them in their suited position. He typed with a brisk
sharpness, watching the screen intently, a delicate hand looped a stray hair behind
his ear, Jade light tinted his face.

THE PROFESSOR AS A YOUNG MAN

Every month while attending university his family sent him a healthy sum of money.
The Professor as he was then couldn't stomach the campus social life. He had maybe
at most three friends, if you were to stretch the term friends to its broadest edges.
As a result most of the allowance went unspent.

The day of 'The Project' had arrived. A lot of people sleep rough in the city, his friends
didn't seem to notice. He had been waiting for the double Christmas cheque, now he
gathered up the big wad of money in his fist and hurriedly left his apartment.
For the next two hours he scanned the cavities of the city and by chance he eventually
found her at a small cafe on the westside. He heard behind him those unmistakable
heels, four inches of black patent leather that rattled inside. Her legs were long, bony,
mottled with patches of bruises, recent scabs and past scars. She began working the
tables at the far end, gradually moving towards him, asking first for money then cigarettes
or coffee. Most people didn't give to her it seemed a waste of money she looked to far gone
beyond help. He lowered his eyes pretending to read a book, she moved in his direction
smoking the only cigarette she'd been given. She stood beside his table and began to tell
her story. He raised his head than threw up his arms in recognition, smiling widely holding
out his hand and saying "Joyce this is a surprise won't you join me for coffee"
The woman tentatively shook his hand a thin smile creased her lips. She constantly
tapped the cigarette with her finger. She sat down drank the coffee and smoked the
cigarettes that were offered. Said- "Fine" "Ok" "Yes" "No" and "Alright"
It went that way for the rest of the night, except at one point they were at a
bar, by now the Professor was drunk, Joyce was very drunk and she started talking
as if they really had known eachother.
"You remember when we were kids, skinny dipping, the prairie sky like an unblinking eye
you said watching down on us?"
He replied that of coarse he remembered, would never forget it, even went as far as to
say that it was one of the most beautiful moments of his life. After saying this he excused
himself, shakily dismounted the barstool side winded his way through the dancers and
vomited in the toilet.
He continued to spend his family's money in this way for the next three years. In that time
not one of the people he chose ever let on that they knew he wasn't really their friend.
The Professor passed with honors, he no longer performs random acts of charity.