A Wandering Trader
A Wandering Trader
It was a humid night in the Paris streets. The air seemed to stick to you; surround you like a blanket. It was unusual weather for the middle of April. Despite the humid air and warm sun, Chance walked down Quai Branly street on his way to meet his longtime friend, Philip, by the Eiffel tower. Chance had met this friend about two years ago at a Billie Eilish concert in central Paris. At the time they just talked for a little bit and then got each other's numbers. They had been texting back and forth since then and they finally pulled it together to meet.
After arriving, he waited about fifteen minutes before he saw his friend. Chance slowly walked out to greet his friend.
“How’s it going Chance? Long time no see’ huh?” said Philip.
“Oui, tell me about it!”
And after talking for a bit there, Philip invited him to his apartment for tea or coffee so they could talk more. Upon arriving at a broken down town house, overgrown with weeds, Philip invited him in. Upon walking in, Chance immediately noticed the huge collection of action figures, flooding the whole hallway and family room. He was curious and walked around looking at the tiny little men with capes and knives. One that really stuck out was a little man in a hotdog suit, and he couldn’t help but ask where he got it.
“Ah yes! I found that little gem at a baseball game about four years ago!”
“A baseball game, huh?” responded Chance, “What game?”
“Why, that was at a Yankees game back in New York.”
“New York… I say, did you live there?”
“No, I was just on a vacation there,” responded Philip.
“Very interesting, to say the least.”
“Yes, yes… interesting,” said Philip slowly.
As he ventured further into the room, he noticed some little aliens, and even some everyday office worker type of people. Chance saw probably thousands of figures, even animals. He saw a large gorilla, a little elephant, and even some rabbits and their little bunny children. Then Philip suggested that they go into a spare room to look at his rarer collection, supposedly worth millions. As he walked in, a giant, probably life size, Hitler statue greeted him with a warm smile. It was startling to say the least. And then, off to the side he saw two more life size figures. One was Amelia Earhart, and the other was Abraham Lincoln, with his tall top hat.
“Ah yes! Those are each worth millions themselves! I almost got a hold of a Ronald Reagan one too, but I lost the auction to a man named John. It is a shame. It’d be worth a nice mint today.”
“This is very cool, Philip!” exclaimed Chance, “How long have you been collecting?”
“Oh, I’d say about three years”
“Oh, my goodness, you already have so many! This is incredible!”
“Yes, it is, isn't it!” responded Philip.
They talked a little while, during which Chance kept on looking through the collection. Then he noticed a little man that stuck out to him.
“Who's this futuristic looking singer?” Chance asked.
“Why that’s Nemo! The very popular singer! How have you not heard of him?”
“Nemo, huh? I don't know, I guess I don't listen to much music.”
“Well, I guess he’s not thaaaat popular... in Paris maybe.” said Philip.
“Hmm….” muttered Chance.
After maybe another two hours of talking over a cup of hot tea, Chance decided that it was probably time to go. As he got up to grab his coat, he said, “Well, I’ll see you around town I guess, huh?”
And as he turned towards Phillip to put on his coat, Philip pulled out a little golden pocket watch and let it slowly dangle back and forth in front of Chance’s face, causing him to collapse on the ground unconscious. “Yes, I guess you will see me around won’t you.”
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