Each day as I came to work going into the big glass framed doors there was a man always sitting on the cement bedside the door just a little way from the entrance..sitting on his little dirty mat I noticed the forlorn man with the sad eyes..
As always did try to avoid any and all contact with him..maybe out of fear I would have to say something to the vagrant or he might ask for something..I tried to ignore him sitting there..although he did not ask for anything..no hand outs..or try to take from anyone..
Why anyway had he picked this area..this influent area with these big business offices..here especially in my area..this was my building..I had worked hard to have the job I had..and I sure did not want this poor soul to take away from the grand location simply because he could not hold down a job..or did he even want to work..!
I did not have patience for people who would not try to do something with their lives..and expect one to hand out to them..like they were owed something..if you did not work for it then you did not need it was my idea and motto in life...
I was the CEO of a bank..plenty of hard work for years had finally brought me what I wanted in life..the hours of study and collage were worth something after all..and I fought hard for it ..I was a poor kid myself..but I knew I would get something out of life..I had that 'want to' inside of me..so now with all I needed with money..prestige..and friends..
I was so disgusted to see this pitiful excuse of a man here at the door each day layers of tattered clothing..he would lie on the hot air vent for warmth from the unground air ducks..and of course this was nothing new here in New York..this was a typical site..still each morning I would have to bypass this man to just get into the doors..
I awoke early to sounds of sirens and all the morning rush already early in the wee hours ..knowing today I had very important business meetings..and wanted to be at work early..I had to get my idea's all in the right perspective for the meeting..this was something our company had been waiting for..we were going to merge with one of the highly profitable branches on the east coast..so this had to be done correctly..put forth right..and knew it was more or less in the bag so to speak..we or the company would be more powerful than before...this was the day of all and everyone's hard work..
Driving to work..I pulled up in front to have the valet park my car..and walking towards the front door there was the vagrant again..I did not look at him..knowing he was noticing me and went straight to my office..a little irritated.. settling down to my work load and preparing and going over what I would say in the meeting..
There was something going on noises in the main lobby as I proceeded down the hall from my office..what was that..women screaming..men talking..I walked to the second floor forayer and saw a band of men with guns waving..what was this a stick up..stealing here ...no way it could not be..not here..
Someone yelled at me to get down here in a hurry..and walking to the steps I could see a short dark haired man with black piercing eyes watch each step I took..getting to the bottom step he pushed me towards those already standing there in a line..and who do I see but the poor vagrant..right beside me..I glanced at him..he held his head downwards trying to avoid anyone..I turned my head looking down the line at the tellers..they were white faced..and scared..the younger teller's crying softly..what in the world was this about..
Opening my mouth to voice my opinion..the dark haired man turned to me yelling shut up..and the look of authority was there..he was the boss..he was the one who would no anything to make his point..
After which seemed hours we all were trying to figure out why this had happened..the guardsman were also here..the front doors secured with those henchmen..people were still coming and wondering why they could not get in only to see the posted sign we are closed..why had no one called the police..they would know we were open in the middle of the week..
Again I tried to say something..and finally getting the attention of the dark haired man..he listened..maybe I was getting someplace after all..in my summation trying to let the women go..and the elderly men..he turned looking at the group..saying no one would leave and for my interest in this he was going to do something for me..in a flash there was a gun shot..the vagrant jumping in front of me..wham the bullet hitting him in the arm..he went down in from of me..why had he saved my life..I knelt beside the man..blood trickling from his arm..taking my belt off I twisted it tightly around his arm..yanking at the belt to make it secure..why oh why..had this man been so foolish..he looked at me in the face..and said "that's okay..I would rather it be me than you..you have so much going for you"..and passed out..
Although he was alive he could not stay like this for long..I was furious..and the dark haired man knew this..looking at me he had a smirk on his face..as if to dare me to try something else..I did not..
Something had to be done..it was going on three hours..we were getting no where..and this poor soul of a man was hurt laying here in front of my feet..some women were sitting on the floor..other's slumped in disarray trying to hide from all they did not want to see...when all of a sudden a shot rang out..the dark haired man falling to the ground..and then all heck broke loose..there was shots going everywhere..with me yelling get behind the counters..and dragging the man who saved me along to hide him..in a few minutes it was all over..no one was sure what had happened..the police and snipers were there..and knew the whole deal..but why had it taken so long..no matter for the reasoning now..it was over..the first and foremost thought I had was that only one was hurt..my friend..yes my friend..the one who took the bullet for me..he had to get to the hospital..now!!
This was years ago..my friend is still my friend..and has a secure job here at the bank..with me as long as he lives..he was a market annilist for years until loosing it all in one quick moment..now he was my right hand man..we have succeeded in many a adventure to the better for us all..how could I have been so selfish..now we have our life looking forward to the daily challenges of work..what a nice thing to know that we all can give others a chance..with nothing in return...
By
���2000
