"...What?"
Arthur utters involuntarily in shock..
"Haha. I meant is it your first time being homeless? Buahaha!"
The old man laughed boasterly. Taking another sip of his alcohol. Arthur stared at him for a moment. Stunned. His brain failed to conjure proper thought.
"....Is this not your first time?"
"Of course not! Buahaha!"
"I—I don’t think that’s something to be proud of?"
"Kid, when you have accomplished nothing positive, take pride if you have accomplished something negative. It is still better than nothing buahaha!"
"...what the heck?"
The old man took another sip of his drink. He looked at Arthur through the corner of his eyes.
"So kid, what is your story?"
"...Aaaaaa... why would I tell you that?"
The old man seemed stunned a bit. Before bursting into laughter.
"Aaahahaha. Fair. Fair. How about this? You tell me your story, then I tell you my story. Fair deal right? You see, I have seen and met many homeless people. They each have a unique way of falling from grace. Some because of others, some because of their own choice, some by force, so which one are you?"
Arthur thought for a second. There was no harm. Even though his story was just repeated humiliation rituals and setbacks. Even though it was a bit embarrassing to say, since the old man offered a trade, he will believe the old man. He seems like a fair person.
But if the old man doesn’t tell him his story and runs away, Arthur may have to dirty his hands tonight by beating up a homeless old man. Which is more or less fine since both were homeless and people might think they are fighting over drugs. Since it is now common knowledge that these homeless people mostly beg to buy alcohol and drugs.
So he told the old man his story.
The old man listened attentively.
"Damn kid. That’s rough. Kinda similar to me. But more aggressive."
"...Are you so drunk that you can barely articulate cohesively?"
"Buahaha! No shot! Now shut up and listen to my story. Since you look like you’re ready to beat me up if I don’t. Huhuhuhu~."
"That I am."
"Wow~. So threatening. Keke~."
Then the old man started to tell his story. His story is basically this:
He was once a fairly wealthy person himself. He had a wife, children who he loved but they apparently didn’t. He loved them enough to give them his money and property after his wife died. Big mistake. At some point, they stopped respecting him and even sent him to elder care because they were too focused on their own life.
But he was kicked out of there because his sons and daughters didn’t send money anymore. Seemingly forgotten about him.
They are all big wealthy businessmen now, millionaires. But have no money for the one who birthed them. Since then, he had been living in the streets, meeting other homeless people, hearing their story and trying to feel good about himself that there were people with worse lives.
He begged for money and food and with that money, he barely went by and saved up money to go to alcohol.
"Damn, it must be rough. Seeing those ungrateful wretches thrive on your money like that."
"...Damn right it is."
"... Have you tried contacting anyone though? Maybe there was someone who still loved you?"
"I have my pride, kid. If they really ever loved me, they would have found me by now. They didn’t. And that says a lot."
They went quiet. Arthur adjusted his position and adjusted his back better because he was slipping forward. His right leg was bent, his right hand resting on his knees. Thinking about the old man’s life.
He understood why the old man said their life was a bit similar. Both were in this position because of their family. He gazed at the side profile of the old man. He was chugging alcohol while a fierce look on his face. Clearly an old wound resurfaced.
Arthur did feel a bit bad for making the old man spill everything. But he remembered that the old man asked for his story first so they were even.
Arthur breathed out slowly. His mind calmed down a bit. He knew his situation is fucked up. Although he went to university, there was still a lot of time before graduation and getting a job. In that mean time, he could see himself working to the bones to keep himself afloat.
Constantly in that suffocating bubble of helplessness. Where he can’t pull himself out of. He could not help but think, will he one day end up like this old man? Given that he lives on, marries and has children?
He then remembered the system that appeared. It wasn’t in front of him anymore. Maybe it was him hallucinating at the moment of despair and his brain wanted a release, like crying, so it made him feel most pathetic?
’!!!’
But to his shock, a blue screen popped up in front of him. Making his eyes widened a bit.
[Simp System]
[Host: Arthur Gillion]
[Age: 20]
[Bank Balance: $5.43]
[Money Spent on Simping: $0]
[Simp To Unlock More Features!]
Arthur briefly read through it and willed it to close, then pulled it up and closed it again. He could not believe it. There was no credibility to believe it so he will put it aside for now. But if it really isn’t his hallucination, he will use it. Even if he has to Simp. He just wanted to breathe and not constantly worry about what he is going to eat tomorrow.
"Say, old man. What is your name?"
"Brat. Shouldn’t you introduce yourself before asking someone else?"
"I would have. But I have simply forgotten my manners since an unruly elderly fell from the sky."
"Buahaha! It’s Bill. Bill Williams. What’s yours?"
"I’m Arthur Gillion. Nice to meet you Bill."
Arthur said, extending his hand, making Bill surprised a bit.
"... Did Jesus come and resurrect your manners to its former glory or you still haven’t lost it because you’re a new homeless person?"
Bill said sarcastically but still shook Arthur’s hand. It’s been years since the last time he has been treated as a respectable civilian instead of a bigger one. And he won’t lie, it felt good.
Bill’s sour mood lightened as he smiled and took a giant sip of his alcohol. Leaning comfortably against the wall.
Silence fell between them again, only the distant clamours remained.
"Say Bill. I might be over shooting, but do your sons run Williams & Williams?"
"Damn right... I do hope they go bankrupt."
"...Yeah. From here, we can only hope and pray."
Arthur murmured quietly to himself, staring into the distance.
After that, both of them went quiet, and just stared at the clamour ahead. From the embrace of the shadow, as if no one from the other side noticed them.
They sat there silently, lost in their own world when Arthur felt Bill push against his thigh to get up.
He turned towards Bill who stood up and stretched. Arthur felt something on his thighs, there, he saw a few $20 bills. He looked back at the old man. Who just smiled and started walking away.
Arthur stared at his back until he lost sight of him. He grabbed the money and stared at it for a long time before exhaling and getting up, walking the other direction.
Since the universe has given him a chance, he will take it.