I sat on the steps for a very long time. No one passed, no cars went by. It was as if the world had stopped. Then the mailman walked by. I was so happy to see him I nearly jumped out of my pants. “Hi!” I shouted to him. “Hello,” he answered back. “How are you today?” I said. “I’m just fine. How are you?” he said. “Well, I was a bit lonely until I saw you,” I said. “There’s no reason to be lonely. There’s all the world to keep you company,” he said. “I guess you’re right,” I said, as he disappeared down the block. Then school got out and the streets were flooded with youngsters. They were sweet and friendly. A while later work ended and the grown-ups came home. They were exhausted and not so friendly, but, still, they reminded me that there was a world out there. I sat on the steps all that time, thinking about what a funny place we live in. Then I got up and went in the house. I had lost my job at the oil refinery and was waiting to hear from several other companies. I had some savings and wasn’t too worried. Jack called and asked if I wanted to go hunting tomorrow. I said I’d like to but I had other plans. Then Betsy called and asked if I wanted to go drinking tonight. I said that sounded great, but I just couldn’t. I waited for the phone to ring after that, but there was nothing. I played some crossword puzzles, then watched television and fell asleep on the couch. I woke up in the morning feeling achy and lost. I wasn’t sure where I was. It took me a few minutes to figure it out. I was home, as always. I shaved and ate breakfast. My mother called and I said I was just fine. It was a lie, of course, but the truth would hurt her more. I wanted to go for a walk, but I was afraid of missing a phone call. Finally the phone rang. The voice said, “Hello my name is Mark Smith and I’d like to offer you a job as president of Prudential Banks, the largest bank in America. Are you interested?” “Well, yes, but why me?” I said. “We want someone with no experience and no ideas about banking, and you seemed ideal,” he said. “Why would you want someone like that?” I said. “We want to kill him,” he said. “I don’t think I’m interested,” I said. “It’s a great salary, nice vacations,” he said. “No thanks,” I said, feeling relieved and very lucky to be just where I am.