I met Darth Vader yesterday morning. Hard to believe, I know.
There I was sitting down having a read and taking some time out to think about things, before work, and I was aware of a dark figure approaching me.
Most of the time its some early morning homeless person asking for a fag and some change, so thats what I expected.
However, as he approached I became aware that he was masked. Uh-oh. "oh cripes, an 8 am mugging. And I thought work was going to be the worst thing of the day." I said to myself.
Then came the unmistakable gas-mask tones.
"Hello stranger, its a wonderful day is it not. Im not from round here as you can tell. Its nice, you look nice. How are you this morning?"
"Erm, not too bad thanks. Contemplating some things at the moment, making the most of the outdoors before getting into work."
"Ah good man, you looked as though you were engaged in thought. I like that."
Then he removed his mask and gloves and goddamnit if it wasnt really Vader. Id had a guess it wasnt, due to the words he spoke. Quite intellectual and well spoken and fluent.
Yet when he spoke without the mask he was very odd. Wild eyed and manic, yet so calm and stable sounding. He proceeded to explain he thought the mask was a good ice breaker - I should have seen the attention he got. I of course was thinking totally different thoughts, that of old and young ladies being slightly worried by a menacing masked stranger.
Still, he seemed adamant. So, there we sat, having a chat for ten minutes, musing on life, the beauty of Winchester, love, the problem with work getting in the way of things, and, oooh, all sorts.
A most surreal start to the morning, and certainly the last thing I expected.