This morning I saw a man walking through the park. I had just arrived for my busy day to begin. The man wore high leather boots, pants wrapped in a red velvet kilt, his shirt with large gold buttons was adorned with medals, and his head was topped with a beret. He looked like he had walked off the set of an Eastern European military period play.
I chose to follow him into the skate park to inquire about his attire. I thought of several non-offensive I’ve breaks such as “you look like someone I’d like to know” but none seemed appropriate and the direct “why are you dressed that way” would be wrong and out of line. He playfully jumped a wall then sat to smoke his cigarette. I opted to leave him in his peace and solitude. A new friend unmet. A mystery unsolved.
