New York Tales (5): Somebody or Nobody
A self-important, ultra-liberal New Yorker found himself living his worst nightmare: he woke up in the reddest part of Red State Texas. In no time, he transformed into an underemployed rural Texan, living hand-to-mouth. Life wasn't fair, and he had no choice but to get used to it.
They called him "Tex Q," a nickname as jarring as a rattlesnake on a yoga mat.
Rivaling the original Ah Q, Tex Q found solace in self-deception: every defeat was a moral victory. Losing at poker? He was conserving energy for a bigger pot. Getting fired? He was preparing for a higher calling. Thanks to his mental gymnastics, he kept himself from drowning in self-pity.
One day, a documentary crew arrived, eager to explore the psyche of rednecks. Tex Q was a godsend to them. They filmed him fishing, which he described as a "meditative battle against aquatic foes." They captured him fixing his truck, likening it to performing open-heart surgery on a metal beast. And they recorded his reflections on life, where he colorfully explained why being broke was a sign of deep spiritual wealth.
The documentary made Tex Q a viral sensation. People were fascinated by his absurd optimism and unwavering belief in a universe seemingly determined to prove him wrong. He was invited on talk shows, offered book deals, and even considered for a reality show on a popular streaming platform.
But Tex Q, true to form, turned it all down. He returned to his trailer, cracked open a beer, and looked at the sky. "Another day, another dollar," he muttered. "After all, a man's gotta have standards."
As night fell, he took to social media, rallying his fans to support his presidential candidate. Yes, he always enjoyed preaching to the choir. Meanwhile, his canine buddy brought home a rabbit for dinner.
Author: renqiulan