Vouching for the Stranger

Clearing your throat, you put on your most amiable smile and stepped up next to this stranger. “He’s with me, ma’am. I can testify myself that, my friend, Mr-” You squinted downward at his open passport. “Jack Griffin is of excellent personal character. I’ll see to it myself that he is on his best behavior!”

Now, you took on this responsibility under the assumption that the worst of this man’s reputation would be a rash of drunken misbehavior- very manageable stuff. Blinking, the old woman looked between you two, as the lobby filled with gasps and murmurs. 

They were likely shocked to see an outsider here, you thought, thinking nothing of the shakiness with which you were handed your key. Playing up the familiarity between you and your new friend, you patted him on the back as you headed up the rickety wooden staircase. 

More affable now by your graciousness, he conceded, “You are very...philanthropic.” There was something sharp and cautionary in his tone, as if he knew that, had you been a local, you may not have been so eager to pitch in.

Still, you had so many questions that were yet unanswered! You decided to probe for information.

What do You Ask Him?