Weblike Tales of Cold

I once met a mysterious being named The Operator. The first time I heard of him was from a patient at the hospital where I worked in Atlanta, Georgia. His organs were shutting down and everyone knew he was not going to live to tell the tale of being run down on the streets by his girlfriend's ex–boyfriend.

"All I pray for is a miracle!" I'd heard him scream to the ceiling when he thought he was alone. "So much for a savior. The Operator, my ass. He won't save me," he told his girlfriend, who spent the whole visit with wet eyes.

I did my research on The Operator and learned of his legend, a legend that was said to have originated in the Dominican Republic. The legend speaks of a mysterious godlike being who built a magical tri–rail with four magical trains that journeyed to places beyond dreams. It also says if you're lucky, he'll call you in times of need and set you free from Earth. So much for that, I thought after I heard that the poor boy died and no magical being called him.

Later on in life, I learned that The Operator was not a made–up tale after all.

-- RK Bates