Keen-eyed Monkey Business

Keen. I have to been quick minded and sharp throughout majority of my life. The same can be said with my partner in crime; a capuchin monkey who's also named Keen. We have been doing our partnership for a good while now. Since the day we met the two of us were thick as thieves, literally and figuratively. All in efforts to gather enough money for ourselves, the loan I will have to owe to Mr. W., and my daughter's treatment.

Keen and I have been out in the streets of Las Vegas, performing our skills, either in the arts or deception. I would play on my guitar while Keen would dancing for the crowd. Of course, everyone was amazed by Keen's rhythm beat to the sound that came my guitar. Once we got everyone's undivided attention, we would pickpocket the crowd, either with Keen dancing or me singing the lyrics to a 80's song. I was a baritone if anyone was wondering.

We have been doing our own gig in Las Vegas from one side of town to the next, jumping from place to place. Keen and I never wanted to stay in one stop, considering we didn't have a work permit to go off by. There was times I found myself wanting to gamble at the various of casino but Keen always put me in the right track. He was my biggest supporter and confidant, regardless of his small size.

Keen was just a street urchin when I first met him, while I was down on my luck, having no job to keep stable. We were both struggling and when we saw that we had talents to.the performance arts, our friendship was born. It was like our destinies intertrine to make something spectacle. I never had much friends and neither did Keen so it was a match made in Heaven.

As often I appreciate our friendship, I was constantly on the worry, not for Keen's, but for my dear daughter Faith. She's developed a lump in her brain and the only way to save her was a expensive bill. A bill where I asked for help by the biggest loan shark known to men: Mister Walstrom. I'm thankful that Mr. W. has been considerate as of now, especially since he's been playing me take care of my daughter's medical finances. Some can say he's very sentimental yet he has the intendency to get really ruthless if things don't go the way he want them. Mr. W. would often a 180 but he is the boss.

Anyways, as we performed our fourth show of the day, Keen and I proceeded to take a break at the Las Vegas strip, near Caesars Palace, considering we both thought we will get enough crowds to watch us perform. We have some competition, that being an Elvis impersonator, fire breathing swordman, and a mime. But hey, that's Las Vegas for you after all so we'll manage and work around it. I still remember the time Keen and I had it at one performance that was on stilts. A story for another time.

We stole pita bread from the marketplace on our way to one of the beautiful water fountains. This one being the Fountain of the Gods. Once there, we sat down and took out our water canteens, proceeding to fill our reusable bottles given from the water there.

After we filled our canteen of fresh water, we then ate our pita bread. Some onlookers, mostly tourist, looked at us crazy but we continue to munch on our pita bread and drunk our water with what we have been given. Shortly afterwards, we sat in silence as we ourselves people watch, but without judging like the folks before us. As we watched, I couldn't help but smile and laugh. Keen gave me the look of confusion and concern as I did so.

I told him as to reassure my partner in crime: "Sorry, Keen. I just can't stop thinking how much we have to go through as good souls in this life. It's completely unbearable at times."

Without hesitation, Keen came up by me and held my hand as if to reassure me. He completely understood what I meant for he is an intelligent capuchin monkey. Keen even gave a small chirp for good measure.

"Thank you, my good friend. I'm blessed to have you in my life and by my side. I just want what's best for my daughter and that's to have a second chance in life."

Keen chirps again, and time time he proceeded to go on my lap and lay there like a lapcat. I started to pet him as he was taken it all in, melting with all the affection I can give off.

"I too want what's best for you, Keen cause I wouldn't know what I would do without you. You and Faith always brought a smile upon my face, anytime I see you both. One day, you will meet her, I promise. I'm absolutely positively sure you two will hit it off. I just can't see her at this state and really need to pay back Mr. W. for helping me out. I hope you can understand that."

Keen lifted his head and looked directly to me with his adorable big eyes. I could have sworn I saw a small nod given from my tiny friend. This little guy astonishes me. So much so, I couldn't believe why he was abandoned in the first place. However, I'm so lucky to have him for he's been my rock and I won't have it any other way.

"You're the best friend I could have ask for. I have been truly blessed. Someday, when we have enough money to pay for Mr. W., and Faith's treatment goes well, we'll come back here and tour Las Vegas as we should be."

Keen chirped this time and decided to carry up on my shoulder giving me a head bump to my right side of my cheek. I gave my dear friend a pet on top of his head, by which he chirped happily. He even wrapped his tail on the other side of my neck.

We then resumed sitting there before heading back on the strip of Las Vegas. We had to keep going after all, and Keen was very understanding about it. He does love performing his dance to the crowd. Keen loved being the center of attention. We just have to been sharp and quick minded as we always been; keen.