God, I hate the city.

There’s too much rushing around and for no good reason that I can see. Folks being busy for the sake of being busy because everyone around them is ‘busy’ or pretending to be. Things do seem to slow down a bit on the weekends and that’s my favourite time of the week. Guess I’m like most in that respect.

I found a small apartment-I’m on the top floor of a three story walk-up. Only six units and it’s a quiet building. The one next to us is the same deal but there are some younger, party-type people there. The neighbourhood is a good mix of well-to-do types, starter families, single worker bots and random people like me that keep to themselves-for the most part. I say for for the most part because just the other day I had a little adventure…

I should back up a bit. A few Saturdays ago I was looking out my living room window onto the park across the street and noticed two younger mothers arguing with a dicey-looking fellow. Didn’t make much of it the first time but it happened again just the other day. I really didn’t think it wise to stick my nose in but, well, the young women were visibly upset. I grabbed a jacket and hurried across the street.

-Is there a problem here?

-Yeah, you could mind your own business, pal.

-This guy sits on the bench and just stares at our girls. It’s disgusting!

-It’s a goddamn public park and I can do whatever the hell I want. I ain’t bothering anybody.

-We know about you, you and your, your history.

-Fuck off, you don’t know anything about me.

He put out his cigarette and left, crossed the street and walked into the apartment building next to mine.

The ladies thanked me for intervening.

-What’s this ‘history’ thing you mentioned?

-He’s got a molestation charge against him, we heard. How he’s allowed to live across the street from a park that kids play at, I have no idea! There’s a ton of kids that come here without being supervised. We’ve seen him talking to a few of them-We just know he’s setting up one or two of them. We’ve called authorities and they’ve done nothing!

-Huh, that’s shitty. I guess I’ll just keep an eye out when I can.

-Thanks.

I went back to my apartment and did some thinking. The park abutted a parking lot which was in turn beside an old arena which was no longer in use. I took a little stroll behind the arena and saw that there was a small area of overgrown grass and high fences that separated the grass from the backyards of roughly six houses. Hmmm. This could work…

The skeevy guy actually respected the no-smoking rule in the apartment complexes-I guess to his own benefit. He did smoke in the park at all times of the day and night and talked to more than a few kids that happened to walk past him. Some would engage him, others would not. It was a bit bothersome that the area, especially the parking lot, was so well-lit so I set my alarm for 3am, collected a few rocks and broke a few lamps.

His last cig was usually around 11 at night so I waited until Sunday before engaging him.

He was there-per usual. I walked out of my place and took a look around-there weren’t many houses with lights on. Perfect. I approached him-

-There you are. Me and you-we’ve gotta sort things out.

He could see what was coming. Well, I don’t think he saw everything. He got up and got in my face.

-Yeah, I guess we do, because I’m not going to stop coming here and you’re not going to stop me.

He took a swing at me, glancing the side of my face and then tackled me. I shook loose and backed up across the small parking lot, towards the rear of the arena. I began selling him a false bill of goods. I put my hands up as I backpedaled.

-Uh, okay, easy now. Maybe just relax.

Of course he sensed the advantage

-I’m gonna fuck you up.

At the edge of the lot I let him edge closer to me. I could smell his godawful breath.

-Thought you could just scare me away?

I reached into my pocket quickly and pulled out a fist-sized piece of concrete. As he swung he leaned forward and I hit him flush on his left temple-his knees buckled and he fell. He tried to get up but his legs weren’t obeying him. From my other pocket I grabbed a plastic grocery bag and wrapped it over his head. He kicked a bit but it didn’t take long. I dragged him the short distance behind the arena and wrapped him in the tarp I had left there the night I was ‘dimming the lights’.

I woke up the next morning. I checked the weather. It looks like we’re getting about six inches of snow total today and tomorrow.

I’ll bet they find him in the spring.

TO THE GAME!

Niners/Seahawks:

San Franny heretofore stifling D is looking a mite vulnerable this last little while. Over their last four tilts they’re 2-2 and have given up an average of 32(!) points. Yoinks! Shanahan The Younger doesn’t have much time to right the ship but playing against a running back depleted Seattle squad might just do the trick. Oh yeah, (limited) Beastquake is back in town.

Have at it.