I was born Guntram Farrich (call me Gunt). I left my parents at a young age they were content to sit back and reap the rewards of my great grandfather's luck and "creativity". Who, I have been told, I take after in more than name. I felt the urge to...
OK, a plan just might be over selling it a little. I had an idea that, if things went well, could be considered a plan, maybe. You did hear me say earlier that "spontaneity" kind of is my way of day to day life. My definition of a plan is probably not what yours might be. I think of what I want to happen and then sort of, some would say stumble I would say invent, my way through life taking the paths that are provided to me that I feel like will get me to where I want to get to. So with this my plan was quite simple really. I planned to make a lot of money in a short amount of time so I could move on and live comfortably.
"OK" I mumbled to myself, still sitting on my behind in the mud "step one". I stood up and looked down at myself. I had never been covered in so much filth in my life. "Is that... oh crap..." yup, I had not been sitting in only mud, but, something darker and smellier with some undigested hey in it as well. I wrinkled my nose and tried to wipe it off just ending up smearing it around on my trousers. "I think step one should be take a bath." I said to myself. I have always found that if I look presentable more things happen in my favor.
That's when I heard a small but strong voice behind me say "I know where there is a tub you can use for a silver piece." Apparently I had not only been talking to myself. I turned to find the eavesdropper to be a barefoot young girl in a well worn, patchwork dress not much taller than myself she looked like she should have used the tub, but who was I to judge, especially in my current condition. I smiled my best smile and said to her with a slight bow of thanks "Lead the way, my lady." She smiled and blushed a little at the undeserving title, gave me what I have to assume was her best curtsy and walked through the crowd on the street almost like there was no one there. While I had to struggle to keep up she slipped between the people like a watermelon seed that is to pinched too hard. My stomach grumbled at the thought. Mmm watermelon... Now to figure out where the silver piece was coming from...
After a while we, thankfully, stopped in front of a thin two story building. She smiled at me like this was the palace she was leading me to. In truth if her dress could have had a twin, this building would have been it. Time worn and patched all over with boards and shingles it looked sturdy enough but I was never more glad to be of a small stature. I did not think that it would stand much weight moving through the entrance. I followed her inside and crossed my fingers that it would stand at least until my bath was over.
The old woman, strike that, she was not just old, the ancient woman that sat in the rocking chair not far inside, greeted the girl with a toothless smile "Back with a customer I see" and with great difficulty started to rise from the chair.
"Gee Gee, please don't get up I can do it." The girl protests and starts to the desk.
"Kat, I have been tending this bath house since before y.." she shakes her head "No before your Grandmother was born. I'll not set on my ass and let all the work around here be done without doing my part."
The girl helps her out of her chair despite the woman's protests that she can do it herself and helps her to the desk. "Gee Gee, mama says that we should not say that word."
She pats the hand on her arm and smiles at the girl. "I'll try to remember that dear." Then she gave me a wink and a grin that told me otherwise.
She settled in the behind the counter and put on the spectacles, that she probably would tell you that she has owned since before you were born, and situated herself behind the desk. Then looked up at me.
"I've had these spectacles since ..." Her eyes went wide "Guntrum Ferric! Holly shit! How long has it been you old asshole?" She squinted and peered out through her spectacles "Oh, I guess I should say young asshole HAHA!!" She cackled.
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