Sketch was on his way to work when he saw Jamal leaving a nearby restaurant. Sketch looked at his watch to see if there was time to talk.

9:15, and he began work at 10:00. Plenty of time.

With that in mind, Sketch headed towards Jamal, greeting him as he approached. Jamal adjusted his baseball cap and nodded.

"How's it going?" Sketch asked.

"Well, okay so far. I finished putting my house together, so now I can finally live in it."

Sketch smiled. "Well, that's always good news!"

Jamal smiled.

"So…what do you really do in your spare time? I don't think I asked you earlier."

Jamal scratched his head. "I don't really do that much. I like to toy around with a few technological toys."

"Really? Me too! What do you make?"

"Well, a few computer parts. I'm trying to make the most efficient computer ever created."

"Yeah, I do that kinda stuff, too. I also like to sketch out a lot of ideas for vehicles, robots, and other things like that."

Jamal smirked. "Is that where you get your name?

Sketch was perplexed for a moment. "Hm? Oh! Yes, 'Sketch.' Well, to be honest, I don't know why my parents named me Sketch. That's just my name."

"What is your dad's first name?"

"Ken. And my mom's first name is Sally."

"Interesting. 'Ken Tucker.' Isn't that one of your 'United States?'"

Sketch was surprised. "Y'know, I never noticed that. Wow. I might wanna ask him about that."

Jamal smiled.

"If you don't mind me asking, Jamal," Sketch said in uncertainty, "do you have a job?"

Jamal hesitated to answer. "Well, sort of. I kinda do errands for someome."

Sketch smiled. "Oh! So you're a 'gopher!'"

Jamal was confused. "Gopher?"

"Sure! 'Gopher' this, 'gopher' that. You know."

"Oh!" Jamal laughed. "I get it now!"

"You mean you never heard of that expression before?"

"I'm a little new at learning social behavior."

Sketch nodded. "I know that feeling. So…who do you fetch for?"

Jamal hesitated again. "I'm…not allowed to say. My work is mainly classified."

"You're a secret agent?"

Jamal shook his head. "No no! Nothing that important. It's just that my employer likes his privacy."

"Oh, I see." Sketch nodded in understanding. "So…um…how do you like America so far?"

"Interesting. Your culture is strange."

"Really? How so?"

"Plenty of things." Jamal begna to explain.

They continued to talk for quite a while about themselves. While Sketch was asking about Jamal's life in Japan, Jamal asked about Sketch's life in America. Throughout the chat Jamal began to gain an interest in Sketch's attitude and loyalty.

Jamal smiled. "You know, I can't help but notice your attraction to Japanese culture."

"Oh, yeah! I love it! I hear so much about your technology, your art, your lifestyles…"

Sketch fell silent.

"What's the matter?" asked Jamal.

"Well, there's one thing I haven't gotten a chance to hear much about in Japan."

"And that is?"

"The legends. There's very little information about them here. Everything is so hush-hush. I wish I knew what sorts of legends live in Japan."

Jamal took off his hat and scratched his head. He let out a small sigh. "If you're interested, I can tell you a few things about the Japanese legends."

Sketch's ears perked up. "Really?"

"Certainly!"

"Wow! That's great! I'd love to know what your legends are and what they do. They must be so cool!"

"Well, you may want to wait a bit. Perhaps a little later after I've gotten everything else I need straightened out. Tell me…what kinds of legends live here in America?"

"Nothing much, really. Just Witches, Warlocks, and Werewolves. Oh yes, and the 'Abominable Snowman.' Many of us call him 'Bigfoot.'"

"Oh yes, the Sasquatch. Yes, I've heard of all of them before. But I'm sure none of them compare to our legends."

Sketch smiled. "I wouldn't be surprised."

Jamal smiled. "So where were you off to anyway?"

"Oh! I was off to work. I think I told you about…ACK! WORK!"

Sketch looked at his watch. 10:30. He froze in panic.

"Aw, no! I used up all my sick days! My boss is gonna kill me!"

Jamal was confused. "I thought murder was illegal here in America."

"It is, Jamal. It's a figure of speech."

"Oh."

"Now what? I'm a half-hour late, and my boss does not tolerate tardiness. I'm gonna get fired."

"Relax," said Jamal. "You'd better hurry to work before he gets madder at you arriving any later."

"Good idea," said Sketch. "See you later!" With that, Sketch quickly ran in the direction of the convenience store, while Jamal waved goodbye, standing in front of a drug store. Jamal began to think about Sketch.