The city is under torrential rain this morning.
And that did not discourage citizens from stopping their activity.
Billboards could be seen everywhere, supermarkets selling all kinds of snacks, cell phone repair shops, etc.
The streets crowded with people and cars, while small stores had gatherings of crowds, especially the trendy ones.
The snake makes his way to the bus stop under the umbrella he carries.
.
.
The bakery early in the morning had prepared trays of freshly baked bread, its fragrance filling the street, reminding passersby to eat breakfast.
As always Mr. Snake chose his favorite bread with the old shopkeeper thanking him for his purchase.
He boarded the train line, which was already crowded, with rows of seats filled.
He had to stand with no room at all, squeezed between two elephants, being the only one of the passengers not immersed in his cell phone.
Just staring into the void with a bored look on his face waiting to get to the next station.
He headed like a trooper, dodging the apples that the elderly vendor at the greengrocer's dropped by accident after a slip that knocked her to the ground.
Behind him he could hear how she began to charge the gullible person who helped her, with the excuse of having stepped on her fruit, threatening to call the police.
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.
.
He finally arrived at his place of work.
Now a large commercial enterprise with over hundreds of employees.
He slipped through those doors mounted of thick stone pillars.
He entered the elevator.
After entering the office she looked at her coworkers and greeted them with a short; Good morning.
- I heard that her boss often belittles her and forced her to resign. -
- They said he reprimanded her so much that he made her cry. -
- Florence said, that Terry said, that Katty said, that Lisa said; That they were lovers, and because she was marrying another man he fired her in a fit of jealousy. -
Snake with experience had developed a certain immunity to this sort of thing.
Dramatic events like these often brought in the gossip mongers and critics.
Like that time when it came out that he got his job because of his father's friendship.
Exactly 28 years ago. . . . Working at the same company.
- Happy Birthday Mr. Snake. -
Greetings from one of his colleagues.
- Here's your card from the whole team. -
On the colored paper is written; Smile, because it's your birthday today, don't be down on us for getting older and older.
- Funny. -
Says the snake with a face as cold as his blood.
- Later in the break room we'll cut the cake. -
His co-worker is already used to his attitude.
- I don't like cake. -
- But last year I saw you eat it. Are you on a diet? -
The snake sighs exhausted as if treating a small child.
- Yes, I am on a diet. -
He's lying to get it off his chest.
- You'll have to celebrate without me. -
- You could have given notice, your birthday is on the office calendar, you knew we'd celebrate it. -
- I was thinking of more important things than my birthday. -
He turns to look at his computer screen.
- And I'm busy, better not throw me a party. -
- Well, suit yourself, we'll be celebrating your birthday if you want to join us. -
Normally he tries to avoid becoming part of the office gossip.
But he doesn't have the patience to keep slipping on eggshells.
He wants to get this day over with and forget that it's his 49th birthday.
.
.
- Happy Birthday! -
The shark and the spider greet you at lunchtime.
- Rumors are already spreading about you. -
says the gray one, taking a seat at the table.
- And what do they say? -
He reluctantly pecks at his food.
- The decent one says you've already been hit by the Midlife Crisis. -
The redhead answers with a pitying smile as she sees him frowning immediately.
- The truth is that we are a little worried, nobody refuses a cake just like that. -
Especially his friend who is known to be a glutton.
- I don't want cake. -
- Did the doctor tell you to watch out for sugar? -
Snake looks at them as if he wants to kill them.
Those who call themselves his friends laugh at his expense.
- Take that face off, old man, we'll treat you to lunch on the way out. -
- Thanks, but I've got a backlog. -
The two friends exchange a glance.
- All right, the offer is still open whenever you want. -
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The office was still lit up, but no one was to be seen, most of the people working at night were locked in their own desks.
The small construction company became a large conglomerate that encompasses subsidiaries in various industries.
Each subsidiary is different, which affects the allocation of accounting numbers.
So it is common to see the Finance Department having to work overtime to audit the books at the end of the month.
Having to deal with lots and lots of reports.
Snake has just finished with a headache, and is about to leave the company to return tomorrow.
He walks through the lobby, says goodbye to the security guard and slips to the subway stop.
His job is located in the most bustling part of the city.
When darkness falls, the city is still illuminated with bright lights everywhere.
.
.
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.
Before he was about to enter the apartment building.
He turned under a streetlight and entered the store to give himself another dose of nicotine.
He crossed the street to enter the apartment, advanced through the silent and desolate corridors in the darkness of dusk.
He smoked a cigarette on the balcony so as not to leave the smell in his home.
His building was a six-story brick building that in his opinion was elegant.
It was built several years ago, included two bedrooms, a bathroom, a kitchen, and a living room.
It only takes a few minutes to walk to the railroad line and the subway station.
His apartment is on the first floor.
Some views were obstructed by high-rise buildings.
He thinks back to those years ago, when he looked at the spaces between those ever-lit buildings.
He sculpted clouds of smoke.
Chasing unattainable goals, imagining the future with those warm, reckless pleasures.
The clock struck twelve announcing the end of his birthday.
Life after that remained mundane, and without ups and downs.