I was nearly back to the hotel when I was suddenly overwhelmed by the heat, and decided to stop and take a short rest. On holiday in LA from Philadelphia, I was not yet accustomed to the humidity, which weighed on my body as if I were constantly adorned in a soaked robe. I sat on a rounded concrete ledge that was about knee height, leaned forward, and lit a cigarette. After a couple drags, I sat back, lightly pushing the back of my head into the wall of the building behind me, splaying my hair outward. I closed my eyes against the sun and enjoyed another puff in the warmth it gave. A voice broke my euphoria, and shocked me into annoyance.

"You're going to get yourself robbed for shoes like that in THIS neighborhood," I heard the still unidentified voice say above my head.

I squinted and looked up, surprised at how far I had to tilt my head backwards in order to meet his gaze. Standing above me was a titan of a man; a real-life Goliath. Muscles bulged at all angles from beneath his suit. Though he seemed very rough, his face appeared smooth and unscarred. He was smiling down at me, entertained.

"Ill-gotten gains only lead to ill-fate." I said calmly. "If one would steal my shoes, then run, as thieves do, with the unembarrassed cowardice of savages, I would simply work until I could afford another, which would bring me the same pleasure. I would move on with my life. The thief, on the other hand, would get no pleasure from his acquisition. In fact, less and less joy in time. Before he parted with the pair of shoes, they would be ruined and of no value, at least in his mind, because he had not worked properly for them." I reclosed my eyes and leaned back, again, against the hard coolness of the concrete.

The other man waited a time before responding. When he did, he spoke slower, but with the same confidence as his initial interruption. I could hear from his voice that he was no longer smiling.

"Do you mean that you do not fear the power of others?" he asked, earnestly. "The power that they may assert over you?"

I was truly annoyed now. With my eyes closed, and his extended pause, I was not entirely sure until he spoke that he had not, in fact, simply accepted my response and left.

"What good," I asked, "is power without intelligence? One must have the knowledge to wield it, or power is useless to him. The ability to rob my shoes demonstrates only the illusion of power. It is fleeting, and will pass."

The large man shook his head. "Power can overwhelm intelligence. Intelligence can be swept away in a flood of power."

I could tell that my words had frustrated him. I looked in his eyes for the first time, and saw a quality beyond his outer strength. I was no longer annoyed. "Think of the jungle," I said, speaking slowly for the man. "Animals like hippos and rhinos have nothing but strength, but they are not smart. As a result, they lumber impotent across the land. Don't get me wrong. I wouldn't want to be caught too close to one, but we are smart enough to give them a wide berth, you see? Now, the monkey. He is very smart. He rules the trees. He does not have great power, and yet his intelligence allows him many luxuries."

The man looked confused. "But, on the ground, they are still at the mercy of the rhinos and the hippos, are they not?"

"This is true," I said in agreement as I nodded. "Craft and intelligence is not enough. Though the monkey is smart, he is frail, and can easily be crushed, should his intelligence fail. Our goal should be to be like the elephant, or the gorilla." Something that I said agreed with him, because he smiled now. I continued. "They wield their strength with the use of their intelligence. This is how they are able to dominate their environments. This is how they are able to possess strength beyond strength. By directing their strengths in a valid and practical manner. You see?"

The man nodded with two sharp drops of his chin. He was still smiling at me, but in a way different from the entertained look he had initially given me. He extended his hand in introduction. That was the day that I met Anselmo.

lol your name has dike in it.

Riveting contribution, Mr. Revan.  I appreciate it.

Nice story. I like that it is proper and something to keep me reading.

Wow. I love your style of writing, it really pulled me in. Your character (John) has a very interesting manner of speak, and I'm sure his relationship with Anselmo is going to be very very amusing. I really look forward to more :)

Also....yeah great job Revan, you're comment sure had some good points. I really liked that simile near the middle and the limerick poem at the end. Really good way to put out your feelings to the world ;)

Thank you, Will.  I've always taken pride in my story-telling.  Maybe I'll make a career as a writer or something, someday.  Glad that you like my personality, as well.  I've always had a knack for the way that I observe the every day world. 

The day that I met Anselmo, which I've described, was the first in the course of my rise to crime.  I'll be sure to share more about my experiences, as well as our relationship, as I find the time.  Thanks again.

Interesting story indeed Mr.John sir. Your way of telling the story got me interested from start to end. Looking forward to hearing more from you in the future. I wish you all the best sir in your journeys ahead.