Modern Fairy Tale

Everyday, John is a regular at starbucks. He sits out front and usually draws, reads the paper, does homework. You know, usual stuff. There’s a lot of regulars out there. People who come day after day, even the homeless.

A clearly homeless man sits next to John and ask him to play chess. Knowing well how homeless people conversations go, John declines. They just go on and on and on. All john wanted to do was read his paper in piece. For weeks the homeless man would ask. Every day John would decline. Until he finally caves in.

I guess he was sick of him asking. One game of chess wouldn’t hurt, right?

“what’s your name sir?” John asks.

“You can call me Brother Melvin” he replies.

“Alright well I’m John, nice to meet you.”

And the game starts. At first the game was slow. Neither person said much. Until Brother Melvin opened the dialogue with,

“You know son, Chess is a lot like dat game of life.”

John though to himself, Oh man, here it comes. I guess I asked for it.

“You have pieces going all different ways, but it’s your focus that brings you to defeat yo’ enemies. Staying calm and having peace of mind will bring one to a true state that enables dem to reach a full potential. I like to sit back and read my opponent. I can see duh mistakes they gon make.”

Brother Melvin starts winning. Like, really winning.

“Kids these days can’t understand that. They’re not ready for place in leadership.

You wait n’ see. Somethin’ real bad is gonna happen soon if someone doesn’t step up. You better believe that.”

John always considered himself a pretty good chess player. He was the best in his high school and went to states. Melvin was giving him a serious run for his money.

“You know, I’m a homeless man. Us homeless folk are the bump n’ grind of the streets. How long you think we can last out there? HOPE will only get you so fair. FAITH will only get you so far. I’m not a religious man but sometimes I pray for the end of the world. How long you think we can last like this? I’ll tell you. Not long. People do say the end of the world is coming. Just wait. Their prophecy will become our reality through the people’s negativity. They’ll be a man sittin’ on the computer when it happens waitin’ to set up HIS army for the end.”

“You nom sayin?”

John think in his head, “alright I’m down 6 pieces, but I still have a chance. I really wish this guy would shut up.” Then says out loud “It’s your move”

Melvin makes a move. Looks up at John and says.

“well my man, that’s checkmate. It’s my time to go.”

Right as he was saying “Good ga-“ Melvin closes his eyes. Claps his hands once, looks up in the air and shoots off like a rocket. He flew. He actually flew away. Everyone went on like nothing happened.