The old guy over there? He’s cool. So are his shoes. If you knew how much better his back felt, you’d think so too. Talk to him—before he accidentally says something weird. He does that when silence sits too long.
Inside, he’s afraid of being erased. Brushed off the page. To make room for the next batch of kids. Capable of doing more in a minute than he ever did.
He just wants to fit. Into the world he once knew. His body—an odd collection of fat. Served on a plastic platter by his scavenger past. Decades of munching on 3pm scraps leftovers from 10am meetings. Too C-suite for his seat.
If he walks by, say Hi. Ask for advice. His words—your riches. Take as much as you can. Fill all of your pockets. Hold the rest in your hands.
Like his idea? Tell him.
Tell everyone.
Say it right in the meeting.
He’s been waiting for your validation.
If he looks tired, he is. Exhausted. Most likely.
Trying to get back all the years of never missing the part of the night everyone talks about the next day. Back when everyone lived each day like they just got paid.
Making lunch plans? Invite him. Especially on Fridays. If it’s Friday, he’s got extra room under that already tight shirt. For burgers and beers. Or just beers. Which he’ll drink faster than everyone else—because he has type II diabetes. And his wife isn’t there. Besides, Welbutrin makes his mouth dry. If he wants to talk, let him. Older people have fewer friends. Friends he loves enough to never see in person again. Because he sees them dancing in those porch fire flames every time he drinks alone. Which is often.
So next time you see someone older, grayer, and fatter than you—at the office or on Zoom—now you know what to do.
If you’re lucky, one day, that “old” person is you.
- About the Author
- Latest Posts
Kevin Willard is the founder and CCO of ASMBLY Entertainment in Chicago.
