salt

”So, what do you do for a living?”

The man put down his suitcase on the floor and sat down. The flight was cancelled. He looked at Patrick with eyes full of scepticism.

”And who are you?”

”Patrick”

The man sighed.

”What to you do for a living?” Patrick persisted
”And why do you care?”

”I’m being friendly” Patrick explained

The man looked around, as if searching for the plane. It wasn’t going to show up. He might as well…

”Salt” he said promptly

Patrick couldn’t help it. He had to laugh.

”Salt?” he said, looking at the mans black suit ”Really?”

The man moved a bit uncomfortable in his chair.

”Yes. My company is gaining the most profit in the country”

”No way” Patrick continued with amazement

”Yes. Why is that so funny?”

”Haha, well salt, it sounds so not serious, and you” said Patrick and pointed his finger at the man ”you look serious”

”I don’t understand why this is funny”

Patrick jumped in his chair.

”How can you not? Salt? You know you never think of salt. Salt is always there and then here you come here and you work with it! How funny isn’t that?”

Patrick started laughing again. The man looked a bit hurt, his pride was spit on. Patrick kept on laughing and tears came to his eyes.

”This isn’t funny” the man said firmly ”Besides, how would you feel if I laughed at your work?”

Patrick stopped laughing and looked into the eyes of the man. A silence came over them both, striking down with no turning back. Patrick’s eyes pierced the man with such a power; he did not know what to say.

“I’m a clown” said Patrick and broke out in laughter once more.