Tuesday, January 27, 2009

First post of '09




I once worked at a petrol station on the outskirts of my hometown, no not in South Africa, in Richmond , B.C, Canada. I just figure petrol station sounds a lot cooler than gas station. One day a man with long hair and shaggy clothing walked up to us and asked us for some help, he said he needed gasoline for his car that was up the road, as he held out an empty soda can. We flatly refused to fill his can up, it was against the rules, he had to pay for a federally approved plastic gas container. He didn't have enough money in his pockets. Later on that day I saw my boss and the man with the shaggy hair, this time he had his car with him. After the man and his car went on their way we received quite a tongue lashing from our boss. Some family pulled in and I hastily went over to serve them. I suppose then, for me to be angry at the girl who threw aside the last two napkin drawings below onto the floor near the bar, would be hypocritical of me, wouldn't you say?

4 comments:

Chris said...

the time spent on the floor added enhanced character to your sketches, especially #3

Phil said...

Hey Chris, thank you, yes I totally agree. I'd say anywhere from 3 to 5 minutes is ample time.

Lovelace said...

Beautiful sketches, Phil.

Picture this. Around 1970, fr'godsakes. Roadside rest in the middle of Alabama, red clay and parched pines. One guy & two gals, yankees on a joy ride, pale complexions, picnic. At the far end of the lot a clutch of young black males, standing by a beat-up car, seem to be staring at us. The gals get nervous and start packing up. Before they can beat their screwball retreat one of the black dudes breaks off and approaches. It's soon evident that no harm is meant, but we have trouble deciphering his thick southern accent. Turns out he and his crew are out of gas, he just wants a ride down the road to fill a gas can. On the ride we break open some wine. Everyone grins and the incident ends in smiles & laughter.

Phil said...

Thanks Douglas,
great story as well.