I Rendered This On A Whim - Tumblr Posts

It's Funny, Really

You expect a man to empty his wallet. Safety purposes, you say. Let him lay everything out on the table before he's approved. The usual: couple dollars, driver's license, his card, a handful of coins. Some currency from different places: either he's well travelled or one for trinkets.

Then you reach the photographs. Distinct. Two clearly tucked behind the one in the clear sleeve. Two you decide would be best to ask about at another time. Personal. Some stickers covering the corners of the clear plastic sleeve.

Two photographs guarded behind the one kept on show, stuffed somewhat haphazardly inside. "Oh, let me get that out for you," The man says, and with steady hands he slips it out. An old picture, preserved in his leather wallet, protecting the memories behind it.

You don't get a look at the two concealed images - perhaps it's best to keep them private. But the one laid out on the desk, lined up with his card, cash, license and trinkets, is a curiosity in itself.

"I..." Between a gentle laugh, more content with sharing than simply changing subjects, he taps on it, holding it down for inspection, "It's a copy. Real thing's back at home. Try not to crease this one 'cause I intend to photocopy it for my folks."

You don't dare to touch it after that statement, happy to stand and stare. He just laughs at your stance.

"Old thing, I ain't embarrassed. Keeps me remembering I'm human."

You don't need to guess who it is. It's written on the bottom.

"'-Santiago'," You tune your ears back to his name-based rambling - not having heard him clearly, "Now, don't go telling the others about my full name, alright? It's rank, callsign or ID from you."

Speaks too casually to his superiors.

Noted.