[ WP ] A man who only speaks in metaphors meets a woman who only speaks literally . ( Or vice-versa )

`` A wave sweeps over an elaborate sand castle.'' 
 
 Lynette looks up from her book. A man stands smiling next to her with a coffee in his hand. He repeats himself. 
 
 `` Sorry?'' she says, bewildered. 
 
 He nods big as if they're playing charades. 
 
 `` The hammer hits the nail,'' he says and points to her book, `` We're birds of a feather.'' 
 
 She looks at the cover of her own book as if it were written in a foreign language. Some constellation of sense starts lighting up. Lynette does n't quite get why he's talking like this -- she wonders if she is being pranked -- but plays along with his game. 
 
 `` You've read it too,'' she says, `` You want to talk about it.'' 
 
 `` The dart hits the bulls-eye,'' he replies, motioning towards the chair across from her, `` A sage under a tree?'' 
 
 `` Please sit down,'' she says. 
 
 The man takes the other chair. His balding head looms before Lynnette as he pulls himself closer to the table. There's a little wisp of stubborn hair at the crest. He sighs and smiles. She smiles. 
 
 `` The race has how many meters left?'' 
 
 `` I'm about three-quarters done.'' 
 
 `` Ah, the hike gets most intense.'' 
 
 `` It is definitely intense. I'm just at the part where --'' 
 
 `` Excuse me?'' says a college student at the next table over. `` Would you mind talking more softly?'' 
 
 `` Oh, I'm sorry,'' says Lynnette, embarrassed. 
 
 `` A dog rips your favorite pillow,'' says the man. 
 
 `` What?'' the student says. 
 
 `` He's sorry too.'' 
 
 With a scowl of confusion the student goes back to her book. The stranger makes a sheepish face at Lynnette and she rolls her eyes and smiles. 
 
 `` Lynnette,'' she says, extending her hand. 
 
 `` Arnold,'' he says. `` Bee finds a flower.'' 
 
 `` The pleasure's mine,'' she says.
