Monday, September 01, 2008

Cherry Tree, Sheffield



On the way to work. There are seats outside, but it's a bit too chilly. You sit in, but facing the window, naturally. Here you usually order a black coffee, which you know gets you a good, strong americano. The guy who runs this place used to make the coffee at Cafe #9, so you're in safe hands.

A man walks past outside. Late 20s? He has two bags, both over the same shoulder - a large rucksack and a smaller bag that you can't see so well. His 'free' hand holds a cigarette. You've never really understood people smoking whilst walking down the street, but they probably have to do it more these days.

He has the air of a man leaving. He's looking around as he walks and you imagine that he is leaving the city, taking in the familiar surroundings as he goes, knowing that he is not going to see them again for some time. If ever. You imagine that he has decided to walk from his house or flat - near here you guess - to the bus or train station, just so he can look at these places he knows and bid them farewell.

You see this guy for 10 seconds at the most. What is it about his demeanour that suggests all of this to you?

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