The Naming Game

I was sitting in the cafe at Barnes and Noble this afternoon trying to find inspiration for our other writing assignment. I was able to write some, but honestly, there were too many distractions for me to really be able to write. So I just began observing. I noticed the people around me and caught bits and pieces of their conversations. Some of my friends and I like to play this game where you see strangers walking down the street or driving by and we pretend like we are old friends, and we begin talking about them. We give them names and start talking about their family, how their daughter recently made the honor role, their nephew ran away from home again, that sort of thing.

I began playing this game as I observed my fellow coffee drinkers. To my left were Maud, Henry and George. They were the loudest table. They could be heard above all else, especially Maud. They were old friends, who were meeting up for coffee and catching up on life. They were talking about politics, the trends of people moving from the country to town and the reason sugar just didn't melt in ice tea. The reason for it not melting has to do with the tea being cold, at least this is what Maud thinks. She is a very vocal woman. I believe she is a teacher, an 8th grade teacher. She stayed in her seat for a while after her male companions decided they needed to get back to their own homes to catch the basketball game.

To my right were Claire and Tom. They were speaking quietly to one another and pouring over books. From where I was sitting I couldn't tell what type of books they were. It was not until Claire took a phone call and I heard her talking about baby names that I knew they were expecting. Tom works for a technology company while Claire is thinking about leaving her job as an aid to pursue a marketing career. They have been married for two years already and are looking forward to starting their own family.

The person sitting to the table next to Claire and Tom is Phil. Phil is my favorite. He sat down with his large cup of coffee and about eight travel books. Phil is planning a trip to Europe. Among the places he would like to visit are Prague, Paris, and Amsterdam. He thumbs through the pages, intent on what he is reading. The image of him sitting alone at his table is ingrained in my mind. Phil wants to surprise his wife with this trip for their 30th anniversary, which is coming up soon. Sarah, his wife, has wanted to travel since she was young, but has not had the chance.

I don't know why I like playing this game, making things up about people. Maybe it is that I like to tell stories and they are my muses. It could be I'm just that weird, but don't we all do this to people we meet or see? It might not be to the extent of naming them, but we form judgments based on appearance, overheard conversations and the like.
I think I'm just weird.

-Rachel