FEBRUARY 8, 2015

FEBRUARY 8, 2015

Woman: We just have to wait for a bit because I don’t have the keys to the roof.

Man:  You mean, because of the fire?

Woman: “Yes, before that it was open. People went up there to smoke, drink, talk, but it’s locked now. Did you know that Charles is in love with my assistant Petra? She’s blonde, about twenty-five and if she were here with us, he’d be here already. Just love, love, loves her.

Man:  *laughs* No, I didn’t know.

Woman: So tell me about you … where are you from?

Man:  Ecuador.

Woman: Really? And how was it you came here?

Man: Because of my parents. They were both business owners and they lived through the most brutal dictatorship in the world.

Woman: What happened?

Man:  Well, after the government fell, the military started shaking down business owners. My father and mother were taken advantage of, but could do nothing. They lost everything, but it seemed the new regime didn’t care … or was a part of what was going on.

Woman: It must have been awful. And they moved to NY?

Man:  Yes, Sunnyside.

Woman: I love Sunnyside. *cell rings* Hello, Charles? You’re at the apartment? What are you doing there? I told you to call me? *starts packing up to leave* We’re in Starbucks, but we’ll be right there.

February 7, 2015

FEBRUARY 7, 2015

Two men in their late 20s, early 30s enter the coffee house, purchase lattes and sit at a table. Man #1 has light brown hair and sports fashionable stubble. Handsome and dressed trendy, he has dark brown eyes and an edgy, sensitive, artistic look to him. Man #2 has dark brown hair, blue eyes and is dressed more traditionally.

Man #1: Hey, thanks for meeting me here. Long time.

Man #2: Yeah, it sure is. How are things going, man? 

Man #1: They were going real well. Then I helped this guy out. He was in trouble so I lent him some money and did some favors, but it ended up screwing things up for me. It always does.

Man #2: Really?

Man #1: Yeah, like things are fine, but the minute I help someone … POW! Everything gets crazy and I get this run of bad luck.

Man #2: I think I know what you mean.

Man #1: So it happens to you, too?

Man #2: It does.

Man #1: I always wondered why so I asked my guru.

Man #2: I didn’t know you had a guru. How long have you had one?

Man #1: Four years. I guess I never talked about it before, but he’s the real deal. He was born in Brooklyn, but studied in India. Interesting teacher, but, anyway, I asked him and you know what he said?

Man #2: *sips coffee* No, what?

Man #1: He said that when we offer to help, we’re saying to the universe that we’re willing to take some of their karmic load. That’s what’s happening. Instead of that portion of bad stuff happening to them, it becomes yours and happens to you.

Man #2: Hmmmm, I guess it makes sense.

Man #1: Yeah, I guess it does.