Neil Cox: Big Wooden Sign

I parked and got out of my car as a man in a JC Penny's dress-shirt and slacks was exiting this building. He was a little hunched and his eye-sockets were desaturated. He watched me. "What's going on, if you don't mind me asking," he said.

"I have a couple of friends going to law school," I said pridefully, "I just wanted to show them ...." I paused because I wasn't sure what to say at this point; "I just wanted to show them your office/house/big wooden sign, it's really nice," or "I just wanted to show them what they could have someday, if they work really hard." I just said, "I just wanted to show them ... this."

"Oh, ok," he said, "I never know who's watching me," he said. "Where are they going to school?"

"One's in Seattle and the other is starting at Berkley."

"Oh, wow, that's expensive," he said. "I went to Moscow, it was cheaper."

"Oh yeah," I said. "What kind of law do you do mos..."

"...Criminal and divorce. Small town shit."

"Nice. ... Well, you got a nice office here. Thanks for letting me take a few pictures." I said the words to his face, then I waved as I walked.

"You bet."

We got into our cars and went away.