The Carvery and Christopher.

The restaurant was exceptionally busy. Sam joined the queue for the carvery. He mused “ Why is it so expensive? and why do I have to queue for my dinner” the Sun shone in through the large windows and the myriad of voices floated upwards. Sam looked out of the window at his Vauxhall to make sure it was ok. He swapped from his left foot to his right; he was very impatient that day.

He remembered his table No being 38 for when he ordered his carvery dinner. His sister and Nieces were waiting for him to join them. Out of his eye he could see them eating already. Sam took a large breath in through clenched teeth. As Sam took one more look at his car in the parking lot he noticed a very tall man looking at him and smiling. The man had shockingly blonde hair and he wore a long black trench coat. The tall man held a plate out in front of him in just the same fashion as Sam.

Normally Sam wouldn’t talk to strangers but he was agitated. He turned to the tall smiling gentleman and said,

“Don’t you just hate queues?”

The tall stranger put his head to one side and said,

“Well no, not really it is better than a free for all surely?”

“Well I have better things to do with my time, I can assure you”

The tall stranger nodded and seemed to be chewing over Sam’s comment then said,

“I see and what would you be doing with your time instead of queuing for this meal?”

Sam replied immediately,

“Well I could be catching up on my emails and sorting out my finances this is such a waste of my time, and time is precious to me”

“yes time.. well it passes but stands still too”

Sam smiled and turned away looking at the back of the head in front of him, then he turned around and said to the tall stranger,

“Time passes yet stands still? Are you a teacher or poet or something?”

The tall stranger introduced himself,

“No actually I’m a traveller and my name is Christopher”

“Oh I’m Sam and I’m still waiting!”