The World According to Tony

©copyright 1999* _MW_ All Rights Reserved

All original material has been Copyrighted and may not be published copied or duplicated in any media except by Michael Williams holder of the copyrights.

"Where the hell have you been all night? What do you think this place is a hotel?"

"I was down the street talking with some friends."

"When are you going to find a job and stop the waste that is your life? You're 26 now, do something useful with yourself."

Mary was not so slender but was beautiful to her fiancés’ eyes. By the age of thirty she had gotten her degree in accountancy and was studying to get her CPA. She was the type of woman who could get what she wanted if she tried hard enough. She was Tony's opposite. He never tried to get anything in life except a free ride. He was a nobody, a slob.

"Listen Tony, I've got to talk to you about something." "Go ahead."

"Well, when you're out all the time at night I do a lot of thinking."

"Thinkin' about what?"

"Well, your really not going anywhere, I mean in life."

"You sound just like my dad."

"Maybe he's right, ya know Tony."

"Oh really!"

" yes..

"Well if you feel that way then why are you still around?"

Asked Tony.

"That's what I want to talk to you about...."

There was a slight pause in her speech as she searched for the right words.

"... I'm going to doing a lot of work in the next few months and need some time for myself in order to prepare for the exam and find a place for me to move into."

"That's great. We'll be able to get outta here."

"You don't understand, I think we should see less of each other and spend some to find and develop ourselves."

"We're fine the way we are!"

"I don't mean break-up, but just give ourselves some space." "I can't believe you're dumping me just so you can have time to find yourself! To get yourself more organized, is that what your saying?"

Mary stood silent for a moment and then began to pack her things.

How could she do this to me thought Tony? "We've been together for years, how can you just pick up your things and leave - "

"That's just the problem, we've been together too long."
"There's a problem with that?" Asked Tony, preparing himself for an onslaught of verbal razors from Mary. "We've been going out for so long I've forgotten who I am. It seems I spend my time supporting you. I just need some time to get to see where I am and where I'm going and if your included in those plans."

"Well that's just dandy, but what am I supposed to do? Wait for you to decide you need me?"

"I wouldn't wait too long." Retorted Mary.

"What does that mean?"

"It means maybe you can get your life in gear and find something better to do than hang out at your friends house. Right now you have nothing to offer me but a headache and an immature attitude toward life. You think that everything you want will be handed to you."

"Well then, why don't you just get out of here." "I was planning on it."

"Well she's gone. She wasn't that great anyway. I mean she really didn't have anything to offer me. I guess she had a point though, I mean, spending money on beer and lotto tickets is no way to waste money. I'm not doing anything but waiting for life to find me. Tomorrow I'll try to find a job and jump right into the business world, and Mary will come back."

The next morning Anthony picked up the want ads. "Everyone wants experience! Screw this, who needs a job anyway? Maybe I hit the 30 million jackpot last night." He picked up the sports page and looked up the numbers. "How about that. All six numbers, I'm a goddamn millionaire! Who needs Mary anyway?"