So, of course then, speculation. Skin disorder. Spider bites. Clumsy. Drugs.

There are Regulars at the bar, and there are Visitors. Pretty self-explanatory, I imagine. But because the world isn't always neatly binary, there are those that fall in-between; some of the college girls are like that. As an example.

As another example; The Guy With The Frikking Band-Aids. He doesn't show up often enough to be a regular, but he shows up often enough to be recognized. It it is always easier to recognize a guy who always shows up with band-aids on his body.

Sometimes his nose. Sometimes his forehead. Sometimes his cheek. Always at least a finger or four. Other than that, he appears normal: he doesn't look like a Ragged Crazy or a guy down on his luck. Although if you always need band-aids maybe your luck isn't all that good, either.

Once in awhile, when he is at the bar ordering a drink, someone will ask him about what happened, indicating the band-aid with a nod.

His usual answer is he doesn't want to talk about it.

So, of course then, speculation. Skin disorder. Spider bites. Clumsy. Drugs. Although it is never really explained exactly how drugs cause the need for band-aids. I'm sure there can be reasons, maybe. It has been suggested, more than once, that maybe he is a leper: people like to talk about that one.

So he is the mysterious Guy With The Frikking Band-Aids. People tend to keep a distance from him: maybe what is under the assorted band-aids is contagious. A mysterious contagious mystery thing. If people get too close they inevitably go to wash their hands; hand sanitizer often makes an appearance.

I kinda feel sorry for the guy; but -- if it can simply be covered by band-aids, maybe it isn't that much of a big deal. Unless he is a leper. As I said: if you always need band-aids maybe your luck isn't all that good, either. And being a leper seems pretty unlucky in today's world.



- james james

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