Why hello Pops! What’s up?
Nothing much. Thought I would look in on
you. See what you are doing.
Ah. You know how it is. Wondering when
the long night will end.
The day follows the night, you know.
Heck, Pops, I didn’t know you followed
Dire Straits!
Well, over here you follow a lot of
things. I was telling your granddad the other day…
Hey, you met him? That’s cool, Pops! How
is he? Did he recognise you?
He’s good. Not aged a day since he came
over! And why shouldn’t he recognise me? He sired me after all! I even meet
your grandmom every day. She still tends to confuse me with one or the other of
your uncles.
Hehe yes I guess so. You all were quite
a handful, weren’t you!
ARE a handful, laddie. Things don’t
change just because we’re on a different side! But enough about me. Tell me,
how are you? Are you still spending money like there’s no tomorrow? When will
you learn to save money? Plan for the future?
Pops, the future is as the night. Dark,
cold, and bottomless. So, what’s the point of saving money? What’s the point of
anything, for that matter?
And that’s where you are wrong. Never
thought rationally. God knows how many times I used to tell you to think,
ponder, and not just talk. But you didn’t ever listen. And for that matter,
what are you doing about your weight? I have told you a thousand times, if not
more, that you need to control your weight.
Pops, chill. Relax. I AM looking after
myself. And don’t you worry about my weight. Like I used to keep telling you, I
have a V-shaped body. Only, it’s an inverted V.
Very funny.
Why Pops! I didn’t you know you had a
sense of humour! Developed it over there, did you?
If you only knew, young man! I was known
in my circles over there for my wit and humour. Ask your mom and sisters.
Talking of your circle, how are they
all? They must have been surprised to see you trundling in!
Umm, not really. As you said in your
message that day, the inevitable is well, inevitable. So, the folks over here,
with the wisdom granted to them because of their change in status, expected me
sooner or later. And well, there I was, one fine evening!
Look Pops, any chance of your coming
back? There’s a lot I need to talk to you about. A lot to DO with you! I need
you to read my book and tell me if I should continue. I want to….
I haven't gone anywhere. I am still
around. Just in a different form. A thought, a memory. No more, no less. And
hey, I put that idea of writing in your fat head! So, I obviously want you to
continue. At least listen to me now! Instead of being like Balaam’s Ass.
Quit with the classical allusions Pops.
Speaking of which, did you meet Plum?
Not yet. It’s too crowded over here, and
there’s a long line of people waiting to meet him. But I will meet him
eventually. I do have all the time now, you see! Eternity and all that y'know.
Yes, eternity is a rather long time...
Look, I need to go. It’s too hot here.
And too noisy. It’s so much better over there, though your uncles could learn
to talk a little less loudly. But I suppose it's too late for that! You look
after yourself. And everybody at home. Spend more time with everybody. And
don’t you worry about me. I will be around. You only have to think of me, and I
will be there. In your fat head. And go for walks! Don’t laze around in front
of the television.
Right then, Pops. Thanks for dropping
by, and for the free advice. Guess some things don’t change, whichever side you
may be on! Keep in touch. And hey, wait! The next time round, I want to hear
the story of the Jamsaheb of Nawanagar and the Morris Minor...
