Arthur let out huge grunt as he sat down, which gave the impression he had been on a long walk. The reality was he lived just down the block and could see the cafe from the window of his apartment. Francis shot Arthur an annoyed look whenever he made this sound, which was everyday at around this time. They had been meeting at the same spot for twenty years now and were very familiar with each other's quirks.
Arthur gestured to the waiter for his usual order. "What's all the news then?"
"Did you know that fellow Reggie MacDonald?"
"Worked at the post office?"
"Yes, that's the one."
"Well What about him?"
"He died yesterday," Francis replied without looking up from his newspaper.
The two men would often have entire conversations without making eye contact; when they occasionally did look at each other they would without fail make disparaging comments about the other's appearance.
"Reggie wasn't that old, was he?"
"He was fifty on the nose."
Arthur ran his hand through his hair, which was down to a couple of thin white wisps. "Oh to be fifty again and know what I know now."
"What have you learned since then?" Francis asked." And you really should wear a hat on days like this, you're going to get skin cancer!"
Arthur looked down at Francis' stomach, which was struggling to escape his shirt." So are you still able to tie your own shoes or do you hire someone else to do it for you?"
He ignored Arthur's comment and continued where he left off."Yes, you should really wear a hat."
Arthur cleared his voice loudly, as he always did before saying/he said something important."I'm going on a trip in a couple of months/next month."
Francis looked up from his paper."Where to?"
"Thailand," Arthur replied in a barely audible voice.
"what are you going to do there?"
"Teach English," he answered even more softly.
Francis let out a sarcastic high-pitched laugh that drowned out all the other conversations on the patio. Several people turned around to see where the sound/it was coming from, and a neighbourhood dog began howling/barking in response to it.
"Teach English?" Francis echoed.
"Yes!" Arthur replied, matching his volume.
"In Thailand?"
"Yes? Why not?"
"I'll give you several reasons. Your age! what if you take/took sick? would your medical expenses be covered? Do you know anyone there? I'm guessing you don't. Also, Isn't the weather very unstable there?"
Arthur felt his face redden as Francis' voice rose in volume. He shot Francis an annoyed look whenever he spoke too loudly, which was usually once or twice a day at around this time.
"Fair enough," Arthur replied," but don't you get tired of doing the same thing everyday, at the same cafe, at the same table? I feel like our routine might be driving me a bit insane. Some days I feel as if I'm suppressing a loud scream."
"Well then let it out!" Going halfway around the world isn't going to solve anything!"
"I already bought my ticket."
Francis was now at a loss for words, which both men recognized as being a rare thing/occurence. They stared at each other neither one saying a word/making a sound for about close to thirty seconds. It was the longest the two men had looked at each other in a long time. Then Arthur's eyes lit up with a flash of inspiration.
