What is it? It’s my box. Where is it? It is in my room. What colour is your box? It is brown. What do you have in your box? It’s my little secret. Well, in fact, it’s empty. A long time ago I kept my toys in it. But now I am a big boy, so very often I keep bottles in it.
You see, I don’t drink much. But when I have guests, it’s like a catastrophe: people come and go, yet everybody brings in at least one bottle of wine. And you can’t help it. People just don’t understand you when you say you don’t like wine.
‘Oh, look, he doesn’t like wine,’ Brenda says and looks at you attentively. ‘No,’ you say and add ‘And I don’t like whiskey.’ ‘He doesn’t like whiskey!’ whispers Richard in surprise and makes big eyes. Your two friends smile from ear to ear and ask no more questions. ‘What about smoking?’ suddenly remembers Brenda. ‘I hate it,’ you say and by some strange reason you feel very uncomfortable. ‘He must be ill,’ Brenda says and feels your pulse and looks at your tongue. ‘He is definitely ill,’ agrees Richard and sighs heavily. Still no contact...
After a while Richard has a wonderful idea and offers you a bottle of brandy. ‘Take a gulp of brandy. It is sure to help you.’ ‘I don’t drink at all!’ you shout and notice sad faces of your former pals. ‘He must have been very unhappy in his childhood,’ Brenda remarks sullenly. ‘No, no, I was very happy!’ you try to protest, but all in vain. ‘Oh, boy, he doesn’t even guess.’ Our senseless conversation seems to have no end at all.
At last Richard says rising from his chair: ‘Sorry, old boy. We didn’t mean to hurt you. But you must see your doctor as soon as possible. You can take my word for it.’
‘But perhaps he plays cards,’ Brenda starts but it’s too much for you. Blind rage explodes you from inside. ‘No, I don’t! I just hate it! And I hate you too! Get out of here because I don’t want to see you again!’ Of course, after so many compliments everybody wants to go home at once. But before leaving Richard mutters to his companion: ‘Very strange. He seemed such a nice chap at first. It’s a pity we’ll never see him again. I say, what if we drop in at Mick’s right away? I hope he’s free tonight.’
So, I have lost two friends. How many more am I going to lose? Nobody knows...