Gordon Roost

Ch. 1

As I wandered the streets of New York in full costume, looking for a spark to my career, my cell phone rings. I pick it up and hear the voice of a good friend of mine called Dave. "Hey, Gordon! I've gotten you something!" Dave uttered, his voice coming through quite clearly. Dave was from North Great Britain, and his accent was quite strong. And I, of course, am from the depths of New York.

"Well, what is it?" I asked. "Just come to the shopping center. It's a surprise!" Dave exclaims and hangs up before I have the chance to contest. I sigh and begin walking towards the mall, or "shopping center" as Dave calls it. I get a few stares from soccer moms and other generic people, which I could generally assume are the result of my costume. My thoughts dart immediately to how stupid I must look, but then I decide that it shouldn't matter.

I arrive at the mall and head for the shop Dave works in, assuming he was in today, as he usually works on weekdays, and this day in particular was a Tuesday. This shop was on the first floor, almost directly next to the entrance and food court, so I arrive in the shop after 20 seconds of being in the building.

"Hello there, Gordon!" Dave says, hiding something behind the counter. I take off my costume's head and look at him. "Okay, what are you giving me?" I ask, genuinely confused. Dave grins.

"Well, you've been struggling a lot lately with money, eh? Well, I'm going to be moving back home soon, so I have no use for this money." Dave tells me. "So, you can have it." He hands me eight 10 dollar bills and counting.

I smile, but politely decline. "Dave, you don't have to. This isn't necessary." I laugh sheepishly. But, wasn't it? Dave shakes his head.

"I don't need it. Nor do I want it. It's yours." He tells me. "I'm leaving in a few weeks anyways, and I have enough money for the plane ticket back home. You can keep the rest."

I shove the money back to Dave. "What if the flight is delayed? Or, if you end up staying?"

"That's not going to happen, Gordon." He hands me the money again and crosses his arms. "It can't happen. I'm making sure it won't. Keep the money."

So I do.