"Howdy"

I was just sittin' there on the bench. I didn't like talking to anyone when I was sittin' on the bench.

"Howdy friend"

Long pause.

"Howdy friend. I like yer belt straps. Me and me frog sure do like you-all's belt straps".

When he talked, his saliva shot through the air. I glanced over at his face and it was filled with craggles. The craggles were wrinkled.

"Why you sittin' on this bench?"

The man leaned at me and half yelled,

"I SAID, Why you sittin' on this bench?"

Ok, he repeated his question. He meant business, now. I was incredulous, but I answered.

"ruff"

-- Roughly translated, that means "I'm a dog, and I'm not wearing any belt straps".