The man stood operating the machine with one eye on the clock.
He was looking forward to the morning tea break. Just a few minutes to go. He had it in mind to get a large, crusty, cheese roll with his coffee today. The older man, operating the lathe next to him saw him look at the clock, caught his eye and smiled. The bell rang. In the canteen they collected their food and drink and sat together, as usual. They’d known each other a long time. The older man let out a long sigh after removing his mask. The other did the same and they began eating. After a while the older man started the conversation by pointing at his mask.
He said, “I hate those things.”
The other nodded. “Me too.”
Of the two, the older man felt the protocols and the inconveniences of the pandemic far more than the other. He said, “Did you end up going to the café with the guys?”
“Yep.”
“I hear the food’s good there. Never been myself.”
“Yes, it is, and the place has a nice relaxed atmosphere to it.”
“Those mates of yours are from your social club, aren’t they?”
“That’s right.”
The older man hesitated for a bit before saying, “The younger one, you know, I forget his name, isn’t he some kind of conscientious objector?”
“You’re right, he is. He refuses to get the jab on the grounds that it’s never been properly tested.”
“But he went with you anyway.” said the other, more of a statement than a question.
“That’s right.”
“So, he sat in there with you, knowing that he’d never been vaccinated. Was he wearing a mask?”
“Yeah. We talked him into wearing one.” He looked at his friend. “I know what you’re thinking… it was wrong.”
“Well, it was, wasn’t it? When you think about it, going in there untested. He was putting all those people at risk.”
The younger man smiled. “You are right, of course, but I was happy to let it go as a minor indiscretion.”
The other raised his eyebrows. “How come?”
“Look, I know you’re not fond of me going all philosophical on you, but…” He looked at the clock. “In the time allotted to me, I can explain, if you like?”
“Give it a go,” said the other, with a small smile.
“OK. Like most people, I suppose, I have a fair number of acquaintances, and a number of friends, and a small number of really good friends. Like you, these guys fall into the last category. Rightly or wrongly, with those people I am willing to let them commit what you might call a small misdemeanour from time to time, without reproach.”
The other sat thinking for a few beats.
The younger man added, “After all, in the whole scheme of things, people that you really like should be permitted the occasional peccadillo.”
“Occasional what?” Said the other, just as the bell sounded.
The younger man got to his feet and with a broad smile said, “Tell you what, we’ll talk about it lunchtime.”