Fred looked at him once more and the empathy he discerned from his face compelled him to speak.

" Am i complaining about that? " Fred asked laconically.

"No! But the fact remains that i have to start something, even if it means supplementing my little income by doing some mental jobs. It would pay me a little instead of having to depend on you absolutely for a three square meal daily".

"Cmon Marco, relax yourself, I quite understand your plight, but you must at the same time take into consideration that i invited you here. Therefore, I have to be responsible for your needs until you can stand on...