Shaft!

        One early evening in the summer of '77, while waiting on Main Street in Buffalo to catch a bus downtown to transfer to the bus for home in North Boston, a young man approached who looked to be about my age. He asked me if I wanted to go on a date with him! I very politely said no thanks, and immediately looked away, hoping the conversation was over.   

          But he was going to be persistent.

         “I'm wondering why you said no. Is it because you don't find me attractive?”

          He was not attractive.

          I said that was not the reason.

         “So why did you say no?”

         Instead of saying that I don't go out with complete strangers, I said that I prefer guys who are taller than I am (he was a little bit shorter), hoping he would then go away.

        “So appearances are your first priority?”

        I stammered a bit, and I wanted to deny this because I am certainly not that shallow and had only mentioned his height as an immediate means of getting rid of him.

        Then he said, “If I looked like Richard Roundtree and I came up to you on the street and asked you for a date, you would say no?”

         I answered, “If you looked like Richard Roundtree, I would be following you down the street!”

         “It is appearances that attract you then!”

         “I guess so!” may be that would make him leave me alone.

          Then he walked away and left me alone.

           But not quite alone. Why did he have to say Richard Roundtree? I might have never have had to admit the truth to myself otherwise!

276 20151003 Shaft!