Swazi Sweets
From No Brow by Linus N, (Johannesburg: No Brow Press, 2024):
Personally, I am committed to using only those means that allow me to look at myself in the mirror each morning without feeling any sense of repulsion for what I've become
A friend of mine from Cape Town came to Johannesburg to take care of some things. Since I hadn’t seen him in over two years, a mutual friend and I decided to catch up over drinks in the evening.
The hotel he was staying at had changed a lot since my last visit — they even added another pool and an outdoor bar area. We headed to the restaurant and waited for him to join us. While we were waiting, we ordered two drafts of Heineken.
When he finally joined us, our conversation covered everything from tech to art and politics. I ordered some wings and chips, but when I asked if anyone wanted to share, they both said they had just eaten. After two hours of fantastic conversation, I was ready to head home.
I don’t usually go out in the evenings much these days; I’m usually either working or just lounging around at home. I guess that’s what happens when you hit your 30s. The energy to do anything besides taking it easy dwindles quite a bit.
As the waiter brought the bill, my friend generously paid without hesitation. Just as we were preparing to head to the parking lot, a woman wearing a black leather jacket and sunglasses, who had been sitting with a man at another table, approached my visiting friend and discreetly slipped something into his hand.
When he opened his palm, it looked like a potion wrapped in a tattered piece of nylon. She explained that it was a sweet from Swaziland and insisted he give it a try.
Afterward, she returned to her table and resumed her seat. When we glanced over, the man she was with gave us a thumbs up, leaving us even more puzzled about the situation.
I asked my friend if he knew them before and he said no.
I quickly told him to get rid of whatever it was immediately we leave the restaurant. Honestly, none of us were even curious enough to check out what was inside. I didn’t want to know because it’s easier for me to explain if things went south.
I’m still wondering why she chose him out of the three of us to give something to.
One thing I know for sure, If a woman wearing sunglasses at night hands you something, you should start wondering if you’re about to be scapegoated.
Thanks for reading. If there's anything you'd like to chat about, or if you have any questions, feel free to shoot me an email. I'd love to hear from you. :) 🍿