The Way

                The Way

                Alexandr Piatkov


A companionable enthusiast and a wise skeptic approached the very

first kiosk they encountered at the station bazaar. Waiting politely

for a female customer to leave, they inquired where the market

restroom was. It was the enthusiast who asked, while the skeptic

listened to the directions with a sarcastic air. Once the explanation

was over, the enthusiast offered his thanks and hurried along,

though it was the skeptic who pointed out the correct direction.


The return of this duo could be heard from afar. Debating the

shortest route took them longer than the walk itself. At last, they

reappeared and, addressing the vendor like an old acquaintance, began

 choosing a lighter. Naturally, the enthusiast was the one doing the

choosing, but they failed to buy anything due to the skeptic’s

sullen obstinacy.


In general, their appearance suggested they weren't frequent buyers

of trinkets. One might even say they seemed more likely to drink and

light up than to drink and have a bite to eat. And so, they left the

bazaar empty-handed. Just as they came, they departed—two

antagonists, an enthusiast and a skeptic, equally battered by life

and equally unburdened by superfluous valuables. At the market, the

only thing that caught their interest was the free restroom! Well,

leaving a marketplace light-handed is already a Way in itself!


Both the enthusiast and the skeptic walk it in the same direction,

equally light, equally shuffling in their utterly trashed sneakers.

Nothing else in this mortal world concerns them anymore, nor are they

occupied by the question of whether the last shall be first. They

are already the first. On their way out.



Publication Data:
© Copyright: Alexandr Piatkov, 2013
Publication Certificate No. 213052500435