"He says he's just another guy."

"Yeah. Let me put it another way: What does he do?"

"He's a roofer. He's working with a crew on Zak's reno over in the Marigny."

"Where's he from?"

"That's kindah funny. I heard he laughs when people ask him that. Says it's his favorite question. Then he says he isn't 'from' anywhere really. One of the guys on his crew says he rolled into New Orleans from Serbia."

"Serbia? Was he over there in the military or something?"

"Naw, he's too old. Seems he just decided he wanted to see Serbia."

"Weird!"

"I don't know, Baby. I think he may be hiding somethin'. After all, that name, Amis, is definitely French. Like in 'mon amis?' And them green eyes! I think he might have some Creole blood in him"

"So, besides that there roofing, what's he do? Does he hang out in the Quarter."

"Well, naw, not really. I've seen him at The Abbey on the weekends when they have that free barbecue, but that's about it. Otherwise, I hear he just shows up at Schirro's after work at night, buys a six-pack and pack of Pall Malls and goes home. Then just goes back to his roofing job the next day."

"Damn! That, in and of itself, in New Orleans, is just plumb strange. This is a party town."

"I talked with him. He says he ain't got the money to party yet. Owes ever'body and his brother. Just needs to save up some money to pay off his friends and find hisself his own crib."

"I been there."

"Yah, me, too. Still, there's gottah be more to his story than that. You said you talked him, Paul. What's he up to?"

"Who in Nawlins ain't up to no good? Otherwise, why we be so curious about the man? He's a nice enough guy, I guess. Don't talk much, though."

"What you mean?"

"Answers a question with a grin, a little snicker or a question, mostly. Seems like he's more interested in hearing your story more than about talking about himself."

"That ain't right."

"Naw, sir!"

"What's he got to hide?"

"I don't know, Brah. Don't seem like he's necessarily hiding nothin' to me. When I talked to him, over at The Abbey last weekend, he was friendly as you please. Said, based on his low cash, he just come out for the free eats.

"Real nice, guy, really. All sorts of mofos bumming smokes offah him and he says, 'No problem.' You ask for one, he says, 'Go ahead and take a couple.' Nothin' wrong with that is there?

"Just seems to me he's kindah down on his luck right now, understands what's that is like. Gives what he can, but cain't afford to be out partying like most folks do. So he keeps to hisself."

"Hey, I heard from his roommate, Matt, he used to live in California for a while."

"Land of Fruits and Nuts!"

"Heheh! Yep!"

"And Texas, Colorado, New York City, London, Bermuda, Virginia..."

"Hell!"

"Italy, Baltimore, up in Canada, Egypt.."

"Shit, man!"

"Hey, maybe the muhfuh really isn't from anywhere!"

"Band on the run."

"Don't sound like no Creole to me. Most folks 'round here stays at home."

"Hey, ya'll!"

"Rod! Whassup?"

"Off the roof for weekend, Baby. Tired as hell."

"Yo, man, where's your buds?"

"Matt's been MIA for two days. Left the crib two nights ago about 11. Caio's in El Lay. I've been a good boy. School nights and all. But now the work week is over. It's 'Miller Time.'"

"Right on."

"What are you guys up to?"

"Same old same old."

"Drinks for all my friends!"

THINGS I NEED THIS WEEK

Rod was a columnist for the Andover News Network, where he wrote over two hundred articles on web design and development issues. He was also principal writer and Editor for IT Manager's Journal, where he reviewed technology issues weekly, producing 383 editorials. He became the Managing Editor for Electronic Mail/Newsletter Publications at Andover.net at the end of February, 2000, and left in September of the same year. He was a contributing writer for ACCESS magazine, which appears both on- and offline for 10 million readers in 100 newspapers like the San Francisco Chronicle, New York Post, Boston Herald, Austin American-Statesman, Denver Post and Orlando Sentinel, among others. Rod was the US reporter for Silicon.com, a division of Network Multimedia Television in London, UK, reaching 3.5 million European readers, until May, 2001.

Rod lives in New Orleans, Louisiana, right now. The new home of the magazine. But he plans to return to Serbia next year.

He continues to be committed to integrity, chastity and a dose of humility.

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