Wisps Of Mystery

Honey colors of the Arabian Desert entice the eye while nearby pyramids promise mysterious encounters. A camel, stopped momentarily in front of the pyramids, apparently wonders if he will amble over to the oasis a short distance away to quench his thirst. Then stand, perhaps, in the shade provided by palm trees loosely grouped together.

The eye travels further and sees the mystique of what could be the Orient, yet more likely, is a Egyptian town. Domed turrets perch atop sandstone dwellings. Palm trees and narrow obelisks are scattered carelessly about.

There are deep mahogany reds outlined by navy blues; both accent the hot, dry sands.

You won't get a McDonald's hamburger here, but you might find a cigarette. Turkish blend. Good, rich tobacco wrapped in fine white paper. A pleasure to inhale. A moment of savoring. Then, exhaling wispy puffs of smoke.

Ah . . . ! Satisfaction.

That cigarette is a useful tool to calm nerves shattered from stress.

It's a great delaying device when called upon to make an instant decision: "Well, let me light a cig and think about the pros and cons."

It's a wonderful ploy to stop a bully's verbal umbrage. Tamp one end, extend the pack and offer: "Want one?"

Stops the culprit midword, midsentence, either to accept your offer or explain why they don't smoke. A nice, clean, mannerly way to stop a bully's intimidation.

It's a fact that nicotine triggers faster thinking. Not that thinking slowly isn't just as good. It just takes longer to come up with quick answers.

Cigarette smoking, suddenly, is socially unacceptable.

Darn shame, too. Used to be you could pretty much figure out another's character by observing their smoking habits.

At least, it was easier to determine whether the fello with you was a country goober or a gentleman. If he offered to light your cig, it indicated he was a man of gentlemanly habits, would probably offer to open your car door, and more than likely demonstrate consideration in other actions as well.

Now, with the banning of cigarette smoking in public places, how in the world are we going to learn so much, so quickly, about the habitual tendenacies of another's personality?

Guess I'll have to give up the habit since it's socially unacceptable.

Darn shame, too. If I quit smoking, I can't very well carry a pack around with me, huh? Take it out of my pocket occasionally and study the packaging. The Arabian Desert and pyramids on the front, Egyptian cities and golden-domed obelisks on the back.

I'll probably be able to breathe again. But darn it. I sure will miss the allure of that mystique.
Wisps Of Mystery © 2006 Chaeli Lee Sullivan