Pablo Diablo

Pablo Diablo was a walking contradiction, partly truth and partly fiction.

The kids in town loved him. Pablo always brought candy and loved to play the clown. For the kids.

He'd pretend he had no candy. "Pablo - Do you have candy for us?" "Candy - what candy? Do you want to rot your teeth? Do you want to get fat?" Always with a large plastic bag hanging off his belt loaded with candy for everyone to see.

The kids would circle around him pointing at the bag and pleading for treats while Pablo circled around, deftly keeping the bag out of reach. He'd tell jokes, he'd make faces and do crazy little dances, raising up minor dust clouds to provide cover. But he would always give in and give each kid enough candy to make their parents angry. But no one could remain angry at Pablo for long. Not openly.

The women loved him. That smile, that beautiful head of thick black hair. He would compliment them and talk about their beauty as if they were holy, sacred; making each and every woman in the town feel special. Pablo brought them flowers, he gave them jewelry, he slipped them cash for the groceries (don't tell your husband).

Sometimes he would kiss their cheeks and make them blush like teenage girls. The women loved Pablo.

The men respected him. He brought them cigars and good wine. He treated each like an equal, as if they were accomplished and important. But there was something unspoken between them, something in the eyes. It was said that Pablo's eyes projected a darker reality than the pats on the back he offered so effortlessly.

Diego owed Pablo some money. Not a lot, a business deal gone bad, but money owed to Pablo was an obligation with teeth. After all, Pablo was a businessman, a good businessman who believed that business was business. Period.

Diego was buying drinks for his friends in the cantina when Pablo walked in. Confidence drained out of him like blood from a wound as he offered to buy Pablo a drink. Pablo graciously accepted a glass of fine whiskey and then got comfortable talking to and joking with Diego's friends. Diego stood by his side ashen-faced.

Pablo gestured for Diego to follow him outside. As they walked towards the door, Pablo called back over his shoulder "Another round of drinks for my friends."

Pablo and Diego disappeared behind the cantina. After a few minutes Pablo re-entered the cantina. Alone. His clothes were dusty, and there was a stain on his shirt that was hard to identify because there was a bit of mud on it. When asked what happened Pablo said "I tripped and fell. I can be so clumsy sometimes." He was smiling that magic smile that disarmed so easily.

Diego's friends asked "Where is Diego? Will he be back?"

Pablo replied "Perhaps tomorrow. In the meantime let's enjoy this fine whiskey." 

Diego's friends forgot about him soon enough.