that sudden thoughtlessbreathless confederation  pleasethank you  boggled his mind

where it ever came from

who played it first

he could rationalise understand its why

he never used it 
                  which isnt to say it didnt occur to him

but he wasnt a thoughtlessbreathless kind of person
                                                        which also isnt to say he didnt stub his toe on several more than a few who mentioned it

which while in their face he became a kneejerk thoughtlessbreathless person himself 

No

every pleasethank you who crossed him
                                           No was the answer

an answer he never stuck around to tender his reason why

because again

if someone told him No 

a No which usually concluded his asking Maybe youd like to go out some time 

usually a girl above his class

which meant he didnt have a car he didnt have the clothingthe shoes 

he had a work ethic though

and that he felt transcended material things  and why he never hesitated to ask a pretty girl out

his face was fortunately formed

he favoured physical work

those worked wellwere introductions enough

a foot in the door 

he never did have a line

he could take a No

as his father said There’s always more fish in the sea.

his mother rebuking him So, I was a fish in the sea?

Baby  his father smiled
                          watching he never knew if that smile was only for his mother or was also meant to amuse him Son, do as I say, not necessarily as I do.
                                        You were the best fish in the sea.

he could take a No

no reason necessary
                       and therefore he wasnt obliged to offer one

he was baffled when people did things he wouldnt

it was somewhat entertaining but let them
                                             that was their prerogative their choice

people ought to choose more often

for themselves

thereby when someone asked him to do something pleasethank you

he choose No
               and walking away from them they were usually too absorbedstill talking to his back their voice growing softer and softer as he went and walking he replayed their conversation over in his mind
                                                                                               amused he eventually recognisedat least where he thought they thought  he was going to jump through their hoop

pleasethank you

who was that patient zeroin todays parlance
                                                who gave pleasethank you legs

2149,  Friday,  27  3. 20

Stones  Can’t You hear Me Breathing  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gz5mI6tqm_Q