Inspired by Cosmosdex

Potatoes 2

Today seemed like a good day to boil some potatoes.
Upstairs, I ran into Salomon, a coworker of mine who always seemed to have some kind of mange.
He had a beastly, wolf-like appearance. Between him and the people he works with, I could not really tell them apart because they had the same, missing patches of fur.
After being his neighbor for so long, we've grown familiar with each other. But I still don't know much about what he does, nor do I care.
Salomon ZooCorp
Good morning, Monsieur...
Monsieur ZooCorp
Good morning, Salomon.
Salomon ZooCorp
Will see you soon...I'm just doing my daily walk.
Every day, around this hour, Old Man Salomon takes his pets for a walk. Since the area was not particularly meant for long, relaxing walks, he spends half of the time pacing around his desk, and my desk. Behind him, there were burrisks trotting along.
Salomon ZooCorp
What plans do you have today, my friend...?
Monsieur ZooCorp
I am thinking of boiling some potatoes for lunch.
Monsieur ZooCorp
And then, I will drink more coffee.
Salomon ZooCorp
Damn you...Will you get back up-!
Sometimes, one of the burrisks will lie down and lay flat. This is normal and happens almost every time there is a walk.
This routine has been going on for so long that the leashes that Salomon uses are close to snapping.
He pulls the stubborn burrisk, and swears at it. But he does not ever hit, no.
Salomon ZooCorp
Haaah...Sorry about that.
Monsieur ZooCorp
It's fine. This is normal.
Salomon ZooCorp
Mmm...You think so?
Monsieur ZooCorp
Not really.
Salomon ZooCorp
....
Salomon ZooCorp
Potatoes and coffee, huh...
Salomon ZooCorp
That sure is...an interesting combination.
Monsieur ZooCorp
Yes.
By now, Salomon is familiar with my own habits. At least, that's what he points out quite often. I don't really know what my habits are.
Behind him, the three burrisks yawn softly. The air was a little quiet.
I thought about breaking the silence, because it seemed right to me to do so.
Monsieur ZooCorp
Did you want to accompany me?
Salomon ZooCorp
...Sorry, what did you say?
Monsieur ZooCorp
I said, did you want to accompany me?
Salomon ZooCorp
Oh, right...Hm.
Salomon ZooCorp
Well...it wouldn't hurt to have a friend watching, right?
He considered us friends, so it seems.
I think that was what he meant, having him watch me boil potatoes and make coffee.
For some reason, I felt alright with this. Us being friends.
Monsieur ZooCorp
Are you done walking?
Salomon ZooCorp
They won't budge anymore...maybe because the hour is nearing its end...
Monsieur ZooCorp
....
Salomon ZooCorp
...Yes, I am.
Monsieur ZooCorp
Okay.
Salomon ZooCorp
I'll look for the right pots...see which one is to your liking...
Monsieur ZooCorp
Do check with me. I will grab the potatoes now.
We went and pulled out the pot I always use, and filled it with water. Then we brought it to a boil, and waited until it was bubbling.
Compared to Salomon, I was much smaller. He was, frankly, huge, and covered with a lot more fur. And he was muttering things to himself about things I do not understand nor care about.
In the back of my mind, I pondered on his comment about us being friends, but did not ask about it. Maybe this was friendship, I cannot be so sure. We placed the potatoes in and waited together, talking to each other every now and then about the mundane.
And as we sat motionless, the burrisks laid around us, soft and full of warmth.