The Balloon Man

In Dumbville, at the exact location I cannot reveal, lives a man with a balloon face. The man’s face, which is a balloon, can blow up if it gets too close with filths such as dust, powder, hair, toy trucks, rolling ball pens, missing needles, very small particles and unwanted disappointments. Hence, the man, 25 and a half, has an acute concern with his personal hygiene.

The balloon man is much like any other man you see in Dumbville. He wears T-shirt and pants. Except the face, which he often try to cover it with his umbrella, is a balloon. The township, however, finds the balloon man a shaggy dog story. They gossip and joke behind the balloon man. Some children would even try to poke his face, which is very unsafe, and the balloon man would have to go into hiding when the children do that.

Although the balloon man would very much like to be part of the township, he finds it difficult for he cannot talk whenever he is asked. He tried gesturing, and it only triggers the township to doubt his intention. He tried to write down whathe meant to say, but it was useless as the township is not literate and does not know words.

Life has been tough for the balloon man. There are times he could barely hold himself together. But now he has found a place to live, the exact location I cannot reveal. At certain time of his life, he will poke himself to death with a pencil or something. Although the message of his death might end up being another shaggy dog story, the balloon man chooses to shudder it off. He would laugh it off if he could, but unfortunately he can’t.

There is something the balloon man wants you to do with his apartment key. But only until your karma is good.