See Vee Ess

in line and
the older lady
behind the
counter
asks if
i have an
extra care
card, and w/
out a pause i
say, no, sorry,
i only have a
somewhat
care card.
what's your
phone number?
she quips. don't
have a phone,
i return. do you
have a wife? she
asks. no. then i
return a volley
of questions
for her - do
you have
a dog?
no, she
doesn't.
do you
have a
monkey?
no, she
doesn't.
to keep
us on an
even keel
question-wise,
i say. she says
she was just trying
to ascertain (like a
foot detective in the
Bronx) whether or
not i might have an
extra care card and
Just not be aware
of the fact. (lots of
guys like that, i
guess...) i nod
and ask her if i
can fill out the
form she's given
me in French. w/out
pausing she says,
English would be
better and we
part ways, me
hoping she got
as much out of
the exchange as
i did.