Monthly Archives January 2010

Life is an unending series of pregnant pauses

Some hotel, Manila, 2008:
I’m walking out of the hotel. Some old man approaches:
Old man: You want a girl, sir?
Me: (a pause) I just came out of there. Didn’t you see that?
Old man: (smiles, seemingly unsure) But…you want a girl, sir?
Me: (a pause)
***
February 2000, Doroteo Jose, Avenida:
My hands are full — I carry two huge boxes [...]