Part IX --- The Missing Wallet
George discovered his pockets much emptier than they had been one hour earlier, when he had bumped into a shady gentleman on Cartwright Street. This stranger had been in such a hurry that he walked straight into George with any warning or apology. Also, in haste to continue on his way he didn't notice an envelope fall out of his jacket pocket. On it was scribbled: "Ruby's Diner, 5pm" and that was where George was waiting, the envelope on the table in front of him.
Ruby's Diner was strongly retro themed: every inch and corner of the place was like a time machine spinning out of control. George found it nauseating, really. The waitress though was attractive, wearing a power blue dress that clearly was not the uniform of the place. Her bold red lipstick made her face explode with the life of another time, her smile only tripling that effect.
'Can I get you anything?' she asked. Her gold name tag read: Angeline.
'I'm fine, thanks. Just waiting for a friend.' replied George politely.
He watched her walk back behind the counter, her tangerine hair rolling about her shoulders as she went. This woman was positively hypnotizing to middle aged George, who had put on some pounds in recent years but still considered himself modestly attractive. He was unbearably tempted to go up and talk to her but did not know what to say. Then, the shady character from Cartwright Street stepped inside the diner. He spotted George immediately and was not happy.
'What the hell're you doin' here? Who are you? Where's my envelope?' he demanded.
'Where's my wallet? It's been been missing since I bumped into you!' countered George.
'What, dis thing?' said the stranger, tossing a black wallet onto the table. 'Useless, ain't it? Not even any good family photos or coupons!'
George checked his wallet and found everything valuable accounted for.
'Well I think that concludes our business. I'll be on my way then.' said George, standing up.
'Wait! What about my envelope?'
George snatched the envelope off the table before the stranger could grab it. He held it close to his eyes pretending to examine it, enjoying how uncomfortable it made the ruffian across from him.
'What, this? I wonder what's in here. Maybe I should take a look...' George pondered aloud.
'You don't want to do that, mate.' warned the stranger.
'What's in here? Drugs? Laundered money? Some kind of conspiracy scheme?'
'Trust me. You're better off not knowing.'
'Nonsense.'
George ripped open the envelope and let whatever was inside fall onto the table below. All that came out was a photograph, which again George grabbed before the stranger could. The colours were bright and crisp, as though fresh from a printing shop. It made him feel dizzy.
'It's.... it's me and...' mumbled George, the diner melting around him, '...it's me and Angeline! At a wedding! Our wedding...'
For several seconds George blacked out and was not aware of where he was. When the diner came back into view he discovered the stranger and he had traded places. The stranger was also wearing his clothes, had his wallet in hand, and an enormous grin on his face.
'I tried to warn you, didn't I? Well, I'm going to go talk to that lovely girl over there. I think we're going to get along fine, don't you? Goodbye!'
The stranger jumped up from his seat and confidently approached Angeline, who within a moment of conversation was smiling and laughing. George, if that still was his name, took another peek at the photograph, seeing the stranger was now in his place.
'Can I order the tuna salad, please?'
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