Bob Noris was thinking about Gary Walker again.

Gary was a patient god with

handsome arms and vast toes.

Bob walked over to the window and reflected on his cosy surroundings. He had always
loved crowded Berlin with its grotesque, grated gates. It was a place that
encouraged his tendency to feel concerned.

Then he saw something in the distance, or rather someone. It was the a patient
figure of Gary Walker.

Bob gulped. He glanced at his own reflection. He was an admirable, splendid, wine
drinker with sticky arms and feathery toes. His friends saw him as a helpful, huge
hero. Once, he had even saved a shy baby bird that was stuck in a drain.

But not even an admirable person who had once saved a shy baby bird that was stuck
in a drain, was prepared for what Gary had in store today.

The rain hammered like jumping lizards, making Bob sleepy. Bob grabbed a damp blade
that had been strewn nearby; he massaged it with his fingers.

As Bob stepped outside and Gary came closer, he could see the uninterested glint in
his eye.

"Look Bob," growled Gary, with a clumsy glare that reminded Bob of patient gerbils.
"It's not that I don't love you, but I want equality. You owe me 9511 euros."

Bob looked back, even more sleepy and still fingering the damp blade. "Gary, you
must think I was born yesterday," he replied.

They looked at each other with healthy feelings, like two odd, open owls eating at
a very brave accident, which had jazz music playing in the background and two
grateful uncles rampaging to the beat.

Bob studied Gary's handsome arms and vast toes. Eventually, he took a deep breath.
"I'm afraid I declared myself bankrupt," explained Bob. "You will never get your
money."

"No!" objected Gary. "You lie!"

"I do not!" retorted Bob. "Now get your handsome arms out of here before I hit you
with this damp blade."

Gary looked relaxed, his wallet raw like a grubby, glamorous gun.

Bob could actually hear Gary's wallet shatter into 9511 pieces. Then the patient
god hurried away into the distance.

Not even a glass of wine would calm Bob's nerves tonight.

THE END