The Man was strange - although that might not be the best way to describe him. He carried himself with unusual calm, and an unmistakable confidence - which cannot be termed strange. But the story that I am about to tell you is definitely strange. Make what you will of it - I have stopped trying.
The year had been remarkably uneventful - no wars, no global gossip, no great calamity. We were all excited about the Comet's return - brilliantly tailed in the night sky. I was then working as an under-secretary to the Mayor of Metz. It was a job of some importance, grave responsibility and significant interest to me. I was in charge of his public relations and which put me in contact with many dignitaries, his calendar of public events and functions where I accompanied with him. There were whispers that the Mayor favored me...but let that gossip be. I was his confidant - and I say this, both because it has a bearing on this story and also to lend credibility to what I am about to say - for you may be incredulous.
The Man, for what else can I call him, appeared literally out of nowhere. He was found walking on the Strasbourg highway, towards Metz, when was picked up by a highway patrol. The police, being an young and friendly person, decided to give him a lift and started speaking to him. That was when the first sign of strangeness appeared - when asked where he was going, the Man replied "Anywhere". The young police laughed and said he would take him to Metz, since that was the direction he seemed to be headed. I know all this from the police himself - and have no reason to doubt him.
It appeared that the Man did not care where he went, and was also very positive that he came from "nowhere". He spoke flawless french, was fully aware of current local and global news and was so amiable that he ended up joining the young police at the station on his lunch break, and later after work at a local bar. I was told that he observed everyone around him with utmost and friendly curiosity and was remarkably able to join in any conversation, in the language of the speakers. He joined in a conversations at the bar in English, Russian, Chinese, Hindi and even Swahili. When people questioned him about himself, he limited himself to a smile and changed the subject. Now who does not like the undivided attention of a stranger - especially one as amiable and cultured as this Man? Needless to say that he had no money on him, but that was not even a problem, since there were many who wished to buy him drinks, dinner and even offered him a bed for the night. That was when the young police started worrying. He felt the burden of introducing this stranger and did not want to be held accountable. He asked the Man to show some ID, while offering to host him at his home for the night. When the man readily admitted that he had no ID, our young friend was sufficiently concerned to bring it to the attention of his superiors.
It was this that led eventually to my meeting the Man. Apparently no person was willing to punish this person for lack of ID or money or shelter or even a history. Is lack of any of these really a crime? Yes, yes...societies usually criminalize the ID-less - but only those who come from that different stock of the needy; usually immigrants from poorer countries. The request came from several high quarters, written and via telephone, directly to the Mayor's office, that the Man be granted a legal residential status in Metz.
On behalf of the Mayor, I agreed to meet the young police and the Man, directly after working hours, right at Place de Armes. I spotted them immediately - a young police officer in uniform and a nondescript Man, but with an extremely pleasant face, smiling bemusedly into the evening sky. The comet was still visible and bright; I couldn't help but attempt to make a good impression by showing off what little I had read about this comet. The Man watched me with undivided attention and a curious smile. Finally, he spoke "That comet is my home". The young officer and I laughed, uproariously - trying to hide our confusion; weird humor of a different culture? Perhaps. This time, I changed the subject. I was instructed to interview this man with the sole purpose of granting him his French residency. He had no idea how lucky he was - people waited for years, bribed, wept, even killed (yes!) to become part of our great nation.
I asked the man a few questions while filling out the necessary forms. It was then he asked his last question "How long will I live here?"
I was quick to reassure him with a smile "for ever". This he understood all to quickly. His face showed showed his surprise and dismay. He quickly muttered "Oh No" under his breath and disappeared - yes! you heard me right - "poof" he disappeared, right from under our nose, in the middle of Place de Armes.
Don't believe me? You can ask M. -, the young policeman - he will tell you the same - he was right there.
The year had been remarkably uneventful - no wars, no global gossip, no great calamity. We were all excited about the Comet's return - brilliantly tailed in the night sky. I was then working as an under-secretary to the Mayor of Metz. It was a job of some importance, grave responsibility and significant interest to me. I was in charge of his public relations and which put me in contact with many dignitaries, his calendar of public events and functions where I accompanied with him. There were whispers that the Mayor favored me...but let that gossip be. I was his confidant - and I say this, both because it has a bearing on this story and also to lend credibility to what I am about to say - for you may be incredulous.
The Man, for what else can I call him, appeared literally out of nowhere. He was found walking on the Strasbourg highway, towards Metz, when was picked up by a highway patrol. The police, being an young and friendly person, decided to give him a lift and started speaking to him. That was when the first sign of strangeness appeared - when asked where he was going, the Man replied "Anywhere". The young police laughed and said he would take him to Metz, since that was the direction he seemed to be headed. I know all this from the police himself - and have no reason to doubt him.
It appeared that the Man did not care where he went, and was also very positive that he came from "nowhere". He spoke flawless french, was fully aware of current local and global news and was so amiable that he ended up joining the young police at the station on his lunch break, and later after work at a local bar. I was told that he observed everyone around him with utmost and friendly curiosity and was remarkably able to join in any conversation, in the language of the speakers. He joined in a conversations at the bar in English, Russian, Chinese, Hindi and even Swahili. When people questioned him about himself, he limited himself to a smile and changed the subject. Now who does not like the undivided attention of a stranger - especially one as amiable and cultured as this Man? Needless to say that he had no money on him, but that was not even a problem, since there were many who wished to buy him drinks, dinner and even offered him a bed for the night. That was when the young police started worrying. He felt the burden of introducing this stranger and did not want to be held accountable. He asked the Man to show some ID, while offering to host him at his home for the night. When the man readily admitted that he had no ID, our young friend was sufficiently concerned to bring it to the attention of his superiors.
It was this that led eventually to my meeting the Man. Apparently no person was willing to punish this person for lack of ID or money or shelter or even a history. Is lack of any of these really a crime? Yes, yes...societies usually criminalize the ID-less - but only those who come from that different stock of the needy; usually immigrants from poorer countries. The request came from several high quarters, written and via telephone, directly to the Mayor's office, that the Man be granted a legal residential status in Metz.
On behalf of the Mayor, I agreed to meet the young police and the Man, directly after working hours, right at Place de Armes. I spotted them immediately - a young police officer in uniform and a nondescript Man, but with an extremely pleasant face, smiling bemusedly into the evening sky. The comet was still visible and bright; I couldn't help but attempt to make a good impression by showing off what little I had read about this comet. The Man watched me with undivided attention and a curious smile. Finally, he spoke "That comet is my home". The young officer and I laughed, uproariously - trying to hide our confusion; weird humor of a different culture? Perhaps. This time, I changed the subject. I was instructed to interview this man with the sole purpose of granting him his French residency. He had no idea how lucky he was - people waited for years, bribed, wept, even killed (yes!) to become part of our great nation.
I asked the man a few questions while filling out the necessary forms. It was then he asked his last question "How long will I live here?"
I was quick to reassure him with a smile "for ever". This he understood all to quickly. His face showed showed his surprise and dismay. He quickly muttered "Oh No" under his breath and disappeared - yes! you heard me right - "poof" he disappeared, right from under our nose, in the middle of Place de Armes.
Don't believe me? You can ask M. -, the young policeman - he will tell you the same - he was right there.
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