Patient Zero/Robert C.

So, I'm calling Robert C. Patient Zero even though technically he isn't the first person I tried to communicate with. After several failed attempts to hook some people into conversing with me via text Robert C. was the first to actually bite. The others where various plays on this...

me: hi, how is your day going?
them: who is this?
me: just a random guy reaching out to random people to see how their day is going
them: i don't understand/don't care/am at work/don't wanna pay to text you back

I don't blame the people for these responses, and would never think to pressure anyone into talking with me, so i always politely thank them for their time and move on to the next random number.

So, back to Robert C.

me: hi, how is your day going?
RC: do i know you?
me: no, i just text random people to see how their day is going
RC: why do you do that?
me: just an idea i had,so hows your day going?
RC: it could be better, i'm sitting in court

Now, at this point I was just excited that someone was answering me back, this had actually gone from being an idea, to be something that was now real. I was connecting to a random person, wondering around somewhere in the world texting to me during the goings-on of their life. And in court no doubt. The first thing I thought was that he was there for some heinous crime, or something lascivious in nature. The mind really jumps to conclusions when it comes to strangers lol.

me: court? what are you doing in court?
RC: reporting for jury duty lol
me: jury duty huh, anything interesting, big case...murderers and such?
RC: haha I hope not, i really can't afford a lot of time off work
RC: i haven't been assigned to a case yet, still waiting
me: you mentioned work, what kind of work you into?
RC: construction it's tough these days but at least i got a job
me: yeah, i hear ya...you got family, kids?
RC: I have a wife, she's pregnant with our 1st
me: wow, congrats man

he thanked me, we briefly spoke of names and boring baby stuff, before we were interrupted by whomever comes for the people to go into jury selection. Obviously he couldn't keep talking to me in the courtroom. But before he left I realized I didn't even know his name. He actually told me his full name, which surprised me that he didn't even think that I may be some nefarious person phishing for info on him.

I didn't get to talk long with Robert C. but I felt that I got to know enough about him to see that he was a descent person, out doing his civic duty without really complaining about it. He had a job, that he was missing, a wife that seemingly loved him, and a beautiful baby on the way. His life seemed like it could be better off, but it didn't sound like he would change anything if told he could. But as far as a first responder goes, I don't think I could have asked for a better one. Well maybe a cute chick with tantalizing pics on her phone lol...we can always dream, am I right.

As for future "Patients" I'm gonna tell you this, I can see myself getting addicted to this, so "patients" may come in big spurts if I get rolling with this. I may also putting them out there spread out, to keep some sort of schedule for this blog. I may text five people today, and spread their posts out over a week or what ever. But, I really hope, if you are reading this, that you will let me know what you think of the project, the patient, the writing, or me, or anything. Tell me how your day is going, become a part of this community. "Textual Relations" is a text medium, but the comment box is textual as well, so maybe you commenting will give the project more depth. i'm just saying.

Until next time, here's hoping someday you get a text asking "hows your day going"...I hope it'll be a good one.

Sendam Motsuc-blogger