Wednesday, July 11, 2007

In a time when royalty was relegated to inbreds and derelicts one could find a different type of majesty in the ordinary bubbles of the world. Their grandeur was demonstrated through their observations and reflections, not caste. In the crowded streets of Punaz, Santiago could be found selling sweet churros to drunken rich kids and the occasional diabetic. Though he rarely hit the sauce he carried himself with a bit of an inebriated sway that accidentally brought him bumping into others. These slight conflicts were easily defused by his continual waving of hands and a quick memorized ballad which he would sing and dance to with his cart. He glided along the streets like a pacifistic vampire, hovering above the party goers observing them with indifference. Throughout his twenty-nine years he had watched the plaza change but then again it never did. Although faces were different and styles came and went eventually Santiago found himself blending everyone together. They all seemed to coagulate into one being and it was on rare occasions that he found an individual in that sea of continual movement and hysteria.With the black sky empty of clouds a crispness began to descend upon the cobblestone streets. Santiago's bright pink cart decorated with prancing stallions and flower laden ladies squeaked as he slowly dragged it over potholes laid to waste. Up ahead he could see the beginning of the party train, long snake like lines of people spilling over each other while trying to squeeze into the next cantina. Drawing in his breath Santiago ventured into the plaza avoiding the calls for his fried treats. He had decided that this would be the last night of his churro career. With a spin of his cart and a quick tap of the heel he made his way toward his competitor 'Raunchy Ralph's'. The greenish building contained the largest desert shop in the city. It was full of heart stopping delicacies that Santiago no longer wanted a part of. With a flick of a churro that rested in his hand Santiago began his assault. No one really knew what spurned this upheaval of spirit but what was evident was this churro man was snapping. Grinding his teeth and blasting out his favorite ballad 'La Senorita Nervosa', he continued to let the churros fly. No one was safe as Santiago pegged employees and customers alike, leaving no one safe. He ducked behind his cart as a screaming mother began to throw 'Raunchy Ralph's' infamous eclairs at Santiago after her toddler received a stinging churro to the forehead. In the ensuing madness Santiago began to slowly advance towards the kitchen using his cart as both a battering ram and shield. The employees were putting up a valiant effort but eventually Consuelo, 'Raunchy Ralph's' perverted manager who was rumored to wear panties decorated with tarts and cookies, called for a retreat through the back door. All the customers had now fled including the indignant mother. While sitting on a counter top, chomping down on a melted popsicle Santiago surveyed the scene. He flung his legs back and forth like a child on a swing and grinned with pride. In a matter of moments he had decimated his rivals clientele and brought 'Raunchy Ralph's' to it's knees. As the police swiftly swam through the door Santiago could be seen tap dancing to an inaudible rhythm. He continued to step as he was hauled away chanting his favorite balled 'El Inferno Interno'.

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