“Well, I’ll be darned! You look older every time I see you!”

I had walk in to the scene. It was a daylight time at coffee place. I helped myself to a chair before a coffee-table across from Josef.

“So what do you want to see me about?” I said.

“Oh, I just wanted to see you. I only get to see you few times every year. To catch up with news and such,” Josef said.

“Sure.”

“So what’s new with you?” Josef sipped a mouthful amount of coffee, wet with lips and grey mustache.

“Ugh. You don’t wanna know. Been busy with school and other tasks. Serious ones. Last one involved an espionage last month… It was rather embarrassed and successful. Other than that, I was quite… irritated by some.. well, never mind. It isn’t important. I think I’ve been sane since November 1st.”

“Really?” Josef’s eyebrow raised.

“Perhaps not to some people. You know how it is. Overstated. Afraid. They would prefer to whisper in circles.”

“Understood. How about the girl?”

“I haven’t had time for that since the school started.”

“What was her name… Didn’t you meet her months ago?”

“Which one?”

“Golly, this is unlike you. Whichever is the last one.” Josef looks surprised.

“Her. I don’t know. I think that she has recently started to realize that I’m in an extraordinary position. Probably scared her away. Or too busy to notice or care. Whichever suits,” I said. “I’m used to those clueless and careless girls. I’m just a ghost around people.” 

“You should always keep it low. Maybe it isn’t best for a girl to know or ask what you’re doing. It isn’t easy… to be around you. You’re an unpredictable lone wolf.”

“I’m not worried about finding a woman. It does distract my works, you know,” I shrugged. 

“Well, you should. Or you’d die of heart attacks alone.”

“That’s not funny.”

“Why should it be funny?” Josef winced as if he was on to something.

“Never mind.”

Pause.

“Let’s talk about literature. Read any good ones lately?”

“I don’t know yet. I’ve borrowed nearly a dozen books. I’ve just started on The Star Diaries. It is already getting interesting. One of several books by Stanislaw Lem. What else… Maslowska. A book on Baltic states in post-Soviet setting. Skvorecky. Little of Celine. Some author on the Stalinism studies in 1930s. Also a book on-”

“I see that you haven’t changed in immersing and absorbing knowledge. Are you going to finish all these?” Josef interrupted.

“When I have time between the classes.”

“Sounds good. Well, now it’s time to get on the business,” Josef said.

“I knew something like this would happen.”

“Pardon?”

“All these questionnaires are just to get an update and see if I’m qualified for a job or not.”

“Not this time. It’s a personal request,” Josef said.

“Oh?”

“One you would like. I’d like you to write three pages at minimum. You have time before the end of year,” Josef handed out a report guideline. “Read it. Carefully. I’m going to grab a dessert. Do you need anything?” 

Five minutes later.

“So, what do you think?” Josef sat, picking at his dessert.

“I don’t know. This is a little… eccentric and unusual. Do I really fit the criteria?”

“You’re creative.”

“This is a little too far. It doesn’t fit or conform to my standards. Why me?”

“You’re all over media, Hilfswillige,” Josef said frankly. “With a good cover, I might add. Most people don’t know who you are. You are the original-”

“Please,” I interrupted. “Don’t say that here. I haven’t heard that name in a long time. I hardly doubt that I’m an unknown person. If I refuse?”

“I’ll see to it that your name be revoked and your new identity will be given,” Josef said matter-of-factly.

“I see what you mean by a personal request. Give me a time to think about this over.”

“Well, give me an answer before the end of month. Remember, you have till before the end of year,” Josef said. “And finish it before the end of the year.” Finishing his dessert, he stood and put on his fedora and coat.

“Here’s my new card,” Josef handed. “Have a good evening. See you next month.”