sep 13, 2020
Stephen King.
I drove this man halfway across the country, to help get him away from Vegas' drugs, drinking, and gambling. I got him to his mother, and the rest of his family.
He shared the name with the otherwise little-known author.
His mother thanked me for months afterward, calling to tell me updates every 60–90 days, for years. He had disappeared over 15 years prior — lost to a gambling addiction and ultimately homelessness, leading to shame and family avoidance.
Along this journey I got to observe some of the most disgusting human behaviors I have borne witness to.
When I was in Afghanistan, I met the absolute nicest and most peaceful people one could imagine. Slaves to a system that crushed them into oblivion.
This man had that same peaceful spirit.
We stopped at the "Roadkill Cafe," an incredibly popular tourist spot along the well-known "Route 66."
He refused to come inside.
"I'll embarrass you."
"I'll eat when we make it to the destination."
"I ate yesterday."
…
It took me 10 minutes to convince him to come inside, as my friend and equal, to eat a dinner.
He sat next to me. After looking at the menu, he pointed to a "side" listed for 99¢, asking me if he could order that item.
In that moment I was more crushed for the lack of humanity in our world than ever before.
I told him yes, and then politely commented that I intended to order (I don't remember which item, but it was a full meal) as it was "the best item on their menu" and an "absolute must have if you visit this cafe!"
I had never been there before.
He agreed to that.
He got up from the table, saying "I need to cleanup, I'll be back in a jiffy!"
The waitress came to the table.
She said, "Um, do you want us to escort that man out of here? We can call someone."
· · ·
I said simply, "No, that man is my friend. He will be ordering from you when he returns. You can wait here for him."
She looked taken aback, but she stayed.
It took him a few minutes to return, but he did.
His hair was slicked back, his sleeves rolled, shirt (and sweatshirt) tucked into his pants. It was a sad sight, based on the absolute disheveled nature of his look — but a stunning look nonetheless. He had given a sincere effort to drastically "bring up" his appearance.
He sat, politely. I could tell he didn't have the nerve to ask the waitress for food. When I looked at her, her face was blanched — white as could be.
I ordered for us. She hastily brought everything out.
Later, at a gas station, he attempted multiple times to ask the gentleman behind the counter for cigarettes. The teller kept motioning Stephen away and calling up the customers in line behind him.
I watched for about 6 minutes as customer after customer accepted the call and brushed past Stephen, nary an acknowledging glance.
Disgusting.
Where does this evil in our human spirit stem from?
I approached the counter and stopped the latest interaction. I was given looks, at first, of disgust or shock. After a moment the looks turned to some form of acceptance.
Of course.
I, a clean-shaven, youthful, and "cleanly" dressed white male would be given full and commanding authority based merely on my demand that it be so.
Disgusting.
There is evil in this world. It takes many forms, many voices, and many skins.
Only you can stop it.
Stand up when you see wrong.
It is the responsibility of the strong and capable to support the currently weak and struggling.
Everyone struggles at some point. The dark always follows the light.