Duelling Nerds

I was in the used bookstore today, looking for books on Shakespear. I found one - 'Julius Ceasar', and I also bought 'Lord of the Flies'.

I witnessed a rather embarrassing exchange between the bookstore proprieter and a customer. I eavesdropped as I was leafing through my books. Both men in question are quite nerdy, but obviously self confidant and pleased with who they are. In fact it became obvious from their conversation, they are of the opinion that nerds are quite superior to the non nerds of this world. This made me smile, because I have my own nerdish qualities.

They were discussing their impatience with people who pick up things in a store that they shouldn't, and either leave marks on these things, or drop them on the floor. Their main issue was with the chess board that is set up in the store. There is a big sign out front, "Running Chess Game, come on in and make a move". I'm not a chess player, but I find the game, and the pieces, beautiful and fascinating. In this running chess game, anyone may make a move, and then slide a small card to the opposite side to show whether it is the 'black's' turn, or the 'whites'.

The customer was trying to make a point that people without proper respect for the game might touch the pieces inapropriately. He felt the proprietor should be concerned about this. The proprietor, on the other hand, was completely calm. He quietly explained his conviction that the kind of people who tend to grab at things, are not usually interested in arty things like chess boards. He stated that it's quite likely they wouldn't even see the board, or its beautifully carved figures, because their low I Q would lead them to go for more flashy items like brightly coloured plastic trinkets and the like. The other man stroked his chin thoughtfully, and repeated several times "You know, you have a good point there! Yes, I see what you mean! Ah ha! Yes I see that might be exactly the case! You have a very good point!" For me, as a people watcher who loves to analyse, I felt he had just shown himself to be a bit of a poser. I guess the proprietor felt the same. You could see in his expression that he'd lost a bit of respect. I just love this kind of thing - subtle shades in people's interactions with one another, that tilt the scales ever so slightly this way or that.

The customer seemed to feel as well, that he'd slipped a bit. As I was paying for my purchases, he made as though to leave the store. The proprietor called after him "You're not going to make a move? How can you possibly leave without making a move?" A well placed shot, I thought, although it was a little cruel. In fact, it proved fatal. The customer froze in the doorway. The proprietor sharpened his gaze - predator and prey. As he counted my change and placed my books into a bag, the proprietor pretended to be casually oblivious to the customer's unsuccessful attempts at appearing cool. Standing over the chess game, the customer muttered too loudly "Hum, so it's the white's turn I see..."

"No, it's the blacks."

"Oh oh of course, I didn't see..." He stroked his chin again, this time self consciously "Hum, okay I see that the only move ... the obvious move would be ... hum ... well it's quite obvious that ..." It was agonising to hear. I forced myself to keep my back to him. As I left the store, the proprietor left the counter and went to loom over the customer, his shadow cast over the chess board, the poor customer trembling mouse-like as he struggled with his lack of knowledge. He'd been unmasked. Poor guy.