Sketchbook: Morty the Diner Guy

"I’m staring right at future-me. I give it five years before I look like Mortie."

September 29, 2014
New York, NY

I wish everyone could be as happy as this man.

I call him Morty the Diner Guy. He came into the Westside Restaurant on Broadway at 10 pm, sat down in his favourite seat, and had exact change ready for his order.

The owner came by to say hello. Five minutes later he brought him his usual order of black coffee and a pancake. Mortie handed the server the exact money -the smile on his face couldn’t have been bigger. It looked like it was his favourite part of the day: The thing he looks forward to from the moment he woke up that morning.

I was smiling to myself ’til I realised I’m staring right at future-me: I give it five years before I look like Mortie.