DATE: 18 October 2011
TIME: 1112 Hours
LOCATION: (Redacted) Coffee Shop
SUBJECT: "The Man Who Stares Into Space"
REPORT: Tuesday is always breakfast at the coffee shop. Week after week, this gentleman is always seated at this particular table, with an extra large coffee. But what seems unusual, is that he is always staring off into space. He may have a newspaper with him, but he rarely reads it. He looks off toward the distance, out the window, and once in a while he looks around the coffee shop, and then back to staring off into the distance. I don't think I have ever seen anyone in a coffee shop do this before. I am always reading a book, or working on the computer while I am having coffee. It seems so different to me, to see him just staring. And then, of course, I wonder what his story is. How could one not wonder who he is and what his history is. The question is, will I go over and speak to him one of these days? I will let you know.
Maybe be is a retired teacher whose brain is totally burnt.
ReplyDeleteAlong with reading a book,or working on your computer, it would seem you 'people watch' too! Maybe this is his time to just relax and do nothing OR maybe he lost his job and is mulling over what the future will be. There might be a serious illness. We could go on and on. You may never know.
ReplyDeleteMight be he is wondering why you are staring at him (not to mention taking his picture).
I would be one to sit and stare - day dreaming.
ReplyDeleteJoan
Thanks for the Anonymous comments. Some of these things I have not thought of. And you are right, we never know what another person is going through.
ReplyDeleteI was VERY careful to photograph without being seen, and to not get caught staring at him. I have no desire to embarrass him, or to spark a confrontation. I only took three images - the third was the one. I used my tiny black camera as well - to be sure not to be noticed.