the cupcake

by bofa xesjum

victor jones was walking down the street. he was not famous, and no one knew who he was. he had nothing to do, and nowhere to go. he kept walking. it was dark, and the streets got darker and darker. finally, he came to the end of a street, and there were no more houses or buildings or lights. he turned back. he came to what looked like a little coffee shop on a corner. there were no signs indicating whether it was open or closed, but he tried the door and it opened and he stepped inside. he did not see anyone behind the counter or seated at the two little tables, which had two small chairs each. there was a glass display case beneath the counter but it was empty. victor was just about to turn and leave when a person in a white apron appeared. can i help you? the person asked. i would like a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. we do not have peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. well, what do you have? chocolate cupcakes. all right, i will have a chocolate cupcake. victor expected the person in the white apron to ask him if he wanted anything to drink, but the person disappeared into the shadows and quickly reappeared with a small chocolate cupcake on a plate. victor took the plate with the cupcake from the person’s hand, and opened his mouth to ask for a cup of decaffeinated coffee - because it seemed to be late in the evening - but before he could speak the person said - that will be three thousand dollars. victor was surprised, but not as surprised as he might be, because he had had experience of the world’s curious and sometimes ridiculous nature before. oh in that case i do not think i want it after all, victor said with a smile. i did not realize it cost quite so much. it is too late now, the person in the white apron replied. you should have thought of that before you ordered it. come now, victor laughed good-naturedly. this won’t do. do you take me for some peasant who just fell off a banana truck in the middle of the trackless desert? i am a citizen of the world, and wise to your roguish tricks. where is the trickery in asking for payment for services rendered? have a care, fellow. it is you, i am afraid, who do not know who you are dealing with. victor was not in the habit of looking directly at his fellow humans or for that matter at any living creatures, and for the first time he took notice of the person in the white apron. why, i do believe i know you, victor exclaimed. of course, the man in the white apron - who had blue eyes and a small scar just below the left the left eye, which had caused victor to recognize him - replied. you are victor jones, and you were the best solver of crossword puzzles at winchester high back in the day. and you are gary milton, who dropped what would have been the winning two point conversion in the big game against east columbus, although butch bailey hit you right in the hands. i never expected you would turn out a baker of chocolate cupcakes! and i never expected that victor jones would turn out a lonely wanderer in the night! life is strange, victor and gary agreed.