EARTHBOUND

Alice

The rumours about the outlandish men meeting every weekend in McDonald’s became well-known. Some people were deliberately passing by whenever it’s Saturday just to see if the urban legends are true.

They weren’t disappointed.

As usual the three of them are seated on the same table they took on their first meeting. But this time, people are eager to listen to their own little conversation. Of course, the people didn’t want to be found out, but the outlandish men already knew that there were eavesdroppers.

They didn’t care.

“Today is a busy day, innit?” the Ignorant observed and looked around him, noticing that other people are really listening to them.

The Wise averted his gaze elsewhere and the Fool pretended to be oblivious. Although they didn’t care if people are listening to them, it doesn’t mean it didn’t make them any less uncomfortable by the stares.

“I have something bugging me these past few days,” the Ignorant began with knotted forehead. He cleared his throat and looked at the other two. “What is love? I thought I had already understand what love is, but I realised I don’t.”

The Wise and the Fool stared at each other for a considerable moment before laughing a little. They noted that the Ignorant was really curious about the matter.

The Fool shook his head and smiled at the table. “Are you answering some kind of slam book? Love is a feeling if you didn’t already know.” He chuckled. “In science it is said that it’s a chemical reaction produced by Dopamine, Oxytocin and Serotonin. In other words, an illusion.”

“That was so direct I didn’t understand it.” The Ignorant stared blankly at the Fool which the latter found funny.

The Wise chuckled and took a sip from his cup before clearing his throat. “Love is opening a candy your mom gave you after you cried for it. it’s eating ice cream your brother bought for you when you scraped your knee. It’s receiving a gift from you family and friends on your birthday.” He smiled.

“Okay, that was too broad I still didn’t understand it.” The Ignorant sighed and the Wise laughed.

“How about we break it down first?” the Fool said. “What made you ask for love?”

“It’s not really about asking for love . . . but it’s about someone I met in chat.” The Ignorant went red from embarrassment.

“Oh? Is this the same friend you told us before?” the Wise asked.

The Ignorant shook his head in denial and sipped nervously from his cup. “No. but you see, apparently we’ve asked what kind of impression we left each other. I told her she was calm, rational and serious. Then she said, I wasn’t wrong. Then she asked me if I’ve been in love before . . . I don’t think I have."

“Hmm . . . I’ve never asked someone what they thought of me.” The Fool smiled sheepishly and turned to the Ignorant. “But what do you think of me?”

“I think you’re trustworthy.”

The Fool coughed up his food and quickly drank his soda before giving the Ignorant and the Wise shocked glances. The Wise was laughing at the sight more than the Ignorant’s answer though.

“I’m trustworthy?!” The Fool fake gasped. “Can you believe this guy? What kind of drugs you been taking these days, mate?!”

“Aside from being sarcastic and enthusiastic―which is obvious―you keep lots of secrets,” the Ignorant finished.

“You’re not wrong, but to think you found me trustworthy. There’s something wrong with you.” The Fool beamed and ate a forkful of spaghetti. The Wise thought that the Fool is actually pleased that someone trusts him and that alone made the Wise’s opinion of the Fool drastically climbed a ladder higher. “Although as for keeping secrets . . . I like to think I’m an open book. I’m honest 95% of the time.”