Walking to grab a burrito the other day, I walked by a sketchy street corner with a few people hanging out, up to no good. One of them had his hood up, mask on and stared me out. I took a wide path around some nearby dogs, tried to look tough and carried on my way to the burrito cart but could feel his eyes on me.
At the burrito cart, several blocks away I ordered my usual veggie burrito, and began doom scrolling on my phone as I waited. Before long a hooded figure approached me and said "Pete, what's up?" It was another pasty white Brit, who doesn't look unlike myself. A bloke named Will who also works with vulnerable kids. We had a quick catch-up chat, grabbed our food and went in opposite directions back to work.
On the way back, I had to walk past the sketchy scene again and the same dude was there, sat in the exact spot, staring me down. "Hey, hey!" he shouted. I was ready for him to ask me for some spare change but no, Instead he asked, "Do you know Will?" WTF? I thought. "Yeah, I know Will I was just with him." I replied, thinking there is no way he could have just seen us together unless he can see through dozens of buildings. He carried on, "Well when you see him..." I cut him off, "I probably won't see him we work in different places." But homeboy carried on, "When you see him, tell him I am the guy who will destroy him in ping pong." I cracked up, OK man, I might not see him for awhile but I I'll text him ... And we both laughed... He then took his mask off to reveal a big friendly grin.
"That's Atlas. That kid is living in a dream world."
Atlas who lives in dream world!
...as do we all...
