Who IS Ted Pope?

Even the moon was curious, shining in through the window of Taste Full Beans, trying to peep under Ted Pope’s cap brim.  It came from the other side of the sky just like Ted did, and the moon wasn’t even supposed to be up then - and Ted wasn’t even supposed to be here then - but that was then.  And last night was now.

Last night Ted was talking poetry and reading from sheets that had other words written on them.  And he knew we didn’t understand him and he also knew that was because we couldn’t  go those places where he goes.  He sees things other people don’t  notice, and he calls those things out and talks to them, and then he tells us what they told him. And he screams at us, and he pointed directly at ME last night, and I didn't even know what was going on. 

He attracts creatures from the night, other people who come in and regale us and shout at us, and throw money at us and then leave.  Fortunately we had stabilizing influences at Taste Full Beans last night.  Tim Peeler was there, a real calming influence, and a posse from Linconton brought order and sanity to the place so we could all go home - rattled a bit, but still coherent.

And you know what?  I don’t think Ted was really even there – I think we just imagined the whole thing . But.  I got a paper wad! I caught it in the air, straight from Ted.  What was written on it?  Don’t know.  Haven't opened it up – yet.  I’m going to meet the moon tonight out on my back deck and read it to her.  She wanted it real bad.   I'll shout and stomp and point at her, and we'll both feel better.