The Successful Gentleman (Fiction)
The distinguished gentleman sat next to me. His very presence commanded respect. His posture said "good schooling". His clothes assured he had met success. His every gesture radiated supreme confidence. This was undoubtedly a man who knew who he wasm what he wanted, and where he was going.
"Excuse me, sir", I beckoned. I expected a subtle English accent but was instead greeted by an almost imperceptible drawl, hinting at the area around Atlanta.
"Yes, may I help you?" came his steady response.
"How, sir, shall I measure my success?" I asked.
His eyebrows raised only slightly. He paused, then spoke again in clear, well paced tones. "Measure your success at what endeavor?"
"Well..at life, I guess." I said simply.
A small crease appeared on his smooth forehead as he searched my eyes. "Shall I measure myself by my paycheck?" I inquired.
"I am quite certain that there are some very undesirable people who make substantial amounts of money." he spoke. "That does not seem an accurate assessment".
"How about children?" I asked.
"Creating children is certainly an easy enough task", he stated, seemingly relieved that the question was more focused. "Some children," he continued, "would be successful with any sort of parenting. Some children would fail regardless. No, that also will not do."
We both sat in silence for a few moments. He softly broke the silence, "It is said", he began, "that a man is known by the company he keeps." He paused again, the crease deepening on his forehead. Then he continued slowly, carefully selecting each word, "Perhaps the best measure of success is how the man keeps his company."
Then his brow unfurrowed, and he leaned back only slightly. "Yes," he said, breaking contact with me, his eyes drifting, looking past my shoulder. "Keep your company well. Cherish your friends. Love people as much as you can. Excuse me won't you..." His voice trailed off as he arose and walked back the way he had come. His posture and his demeanor were different as he merged into the crowd.
"Excuse me, sir", I beckoned. I expected a subtle English accent but was instead greeted by an almost imperceptible drawl, hinting at the area around Atlanta.
"Yes, may I help you?" came his steady response.
"How, sir, shall I measure my success?" I asked.
His eyebrows raised only slightly. He paused, then spoke again in clear, well paced tones. "Measure your success at what endeavor?"
"Well..at life, I guess." I said simply.
A small crease appeared on his smooth forehead as he searched my eyes. "Shall I measure myself by my paycheck?" I inquired.
"I am quite certain that there are some very undesirable people who make substantial amounts of money." he spoke. "That does not seem an accurate assessment".
"How about children?" I asked.
"Creating children is certainly an easy enough task", he stated, seemingly relieved that the question was more focused. "Some children," he continued, "would be successful with any sort of parenting. Some children would fail regardless. No, that also will not do."
We both sat in silence for a few moments. He softly broke the silence, "It is said", he began, "that a man is known by the company he keeps." He paused again, the crease deepening on his forehead. Then he continued slowly, carefully selecting each word, "Perhaps the best measure of success is how the man keeps his company."
Then his brow unfurrowed, and he leaned back only slightly. "Yes," he said, breaking contact with me, his eyes drifting, looking past my shoulder. "Keep your company well. Cherish your friends. Love people as much as you can. Excuse me won't you..." His voice trailed off as he arose and walked back the way he had come. His posture and his demeanor were different as he merged into the crowd.
posted by Mike Hopkins at 10:08 PM
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