Quoted By:
For the first time in a long while, you decided that a nice, brisk walk would be a nice change of pace. It was easy to lose touch with the world when you spent all your time effortlessly swinging from place to place.
Specifically, you forgot what it was like to experience foot traffic on the sidewalk. As well as vehicular traffic in the street. Some walked far too slow. Others blocked the entire path forward with their group of friends, each one of them placed strategically to prevent passage.
It was almost nostalgic how incensed you were feeling at times. But there were two things that made this brisk walk worthwhile. It was the strange looks that you and Donny were getting, and his genuine reactions to the wide world above his previous home.
<span class="mu-g">“How do I look?”</span> he asked, rising to his full, considerable height and spreading his arms.
Currently, the lanky giant was wearing an “I heart NY” shirt, a pair of green sunglasses and a matching mantle that matched that of Lady Liberty, and an assortment of bracelets and charms he’d picked up along the way. You were, of course, paying for everything. The real challenge was keeping track of every vendor you had to pay whenever Donny lifted something from them.
<span class="mu-r">“Like a million bucks.”</span> you lied.
You were particularly disturbed by the way that he was wearing his sunglasses. They were sort of just…dangling from his eye-holes.
<span class="mu-g">“Really?”</span> Donny said, perking up at your praise.
<span class="mu-r">“Yes, really.”</span> you lied once more.
<span class="mu-r">“Doesn’t he look like a million bucks?”</span> you asked, turning to address the Indian vendor that was running this gift shop.
He glanced between the two of you and gave you a nervous nod. He seemed to be unable to meet Donny’s eyes, even when they were hidden behind those ridiculous sunglasses.
<span class="mu-g">“And you’re sure that everyone dresses like this.”</span> Donny reaffirmed.
<span class="mu-r">“Oh, yeah. Totally.”</span>
<span class="mu-g">“Then why isn’t everyone else wearing one?”</span> Donny demanded, gesturing at the passing civilians wearing normal clothing.
You made a show of lazily scanning your surroundings, as if you’d only just now noticed that Donny stood out like a sore thumb.
<span class="mu-r">“Huh. You know? Now that you mention it, that is kind of strange.”</span> you observed.
Then, with a snap of your fingers, you finalized your hypothesis.
<span class="mu-r">“It must be because they don’t love New York as much as you do. That, or they’re too scared to wear it on a shirt like you are right now.”</span>
Donny nodded as if you’d confirmed a theory that he had long suspected.
<span class="mu-g">“That must be why they are staring. They’re shocked by my bold declaration.”</span>
<span class="mu-r">“And probably jealous, too. I mean, here you are, all dressed up, and they came out of the house wearing…<span class="mu-i">that</span>.”</span>
The random person that you pointed to gave you a nasty look that you absolutely deserved.
Donny shook his head in sympathy.
<span class="mu-g">“These poor, stifled meatbags...”</span>
