Mocking Men With Femininity

[IrishAyes]

36. Of course

...it isn't. However, since we were more or less on the subject of misleading appearances, and I'm full of life stories, might I share a favorite?

In L.A. one of the black belts I hung with was a little short guy named Henry from East L.A. He looked about as threatening as Michael Emmerson. His manner couldn't have been quieter or more kind. Considering certain watering holes we visited, you can imagine the potential for trouble. Especially with our whole posse along, anyone who didn't know him never would've pegged him for the leader.

When and if matters got a little tense, we all waited for Henry's 'tell'. He hadn't exactly grown up rich, and eyeglasses represented a noticeable expense in his life. So when he considered it likely that he might have to fight, he'd calmly remove them and place them in his pocket for safekeeping. Macho types were always taken by surprise. Not that this happened very often in Henry's regular stomping grounds where he was well known.

But if I'd ever written a 'Most Unforgettable Character' piece for Reader's Digest, I think he might well have proved a candidate.