He tried to appear inconspicuous but he never managed to do it. He was tall and thin as a rake. He had a variety of costumes he loved to wear. Some days he showed up as a gangster from the 1930s, only one could never remember his violin case. Other days he came dressed as a not quite stereotypical cowboy. He always wore a hat, and he never remembered to take it off.

He came to listen and observe, but because of his mode of dress we knew who he was. No one ever said anything important to him, or in front of him. We all knew he was a spy. We all knew he was after our hearts and souls. That was why he tried to fit in, but he never, ever could.

Instead we surreptitiously observed him from our small tables, where we sat in lonely splendor. We watched and talked of inconsequentials like the weather, or the state of the roads. That was all we ever talked about. Spies were everywhere watching and listening to everything we said and did, and not all were as inept as him.

Only in our homes were we safe from prying eyes and ears, except when family members were recruited. Of course, you never knew if they had been recruited until it was too late. Some people disappeared at night from their homes. They were never seen again, nor were they ever mentioned.

We lived in a near silent world of apprehension and sorrow. We were trapped with no way out, in a reality of our own making.

Steel doors clanged shut over us, and our own curiosity brought the spies down upon us, betraying us.

The man left, drink in hand to sit and observe in another room. We didn't sigh in relief, but sat cool and quiet, finishing our drinks or meals, sliding through our everyday routines, trying to hold off the spies.

At home we could try to be ourselves, but even that wasn't wise. Spies were everywhere even at home. If you lived alone, well getting out of character at home could let you slip up where they could see you.

I left the shop, walking by the man as I did everyday. And he watched me go as he did everyday. I felt his eyes burning into my back. Then I knew he was hunting me.