I just remember I was taking a trip through England.  I went inside an industrial place; there were at least two levels; there was a lot of activity, people moving around, etc, but I don’t recall what was actually being made there.  I didn’t see any specific materials or products coming out of or going into machines.  I was passing through as an observer, like I was stopping in as a tourist.  Suddenly a young guy approached me.  He appeared to be about 15 years old; he had a medium-dark complexion, perhaps of some Persian or Mediterranean ethnicity.  He seemed to want to be helpful and friendly, so he invited me to hang out with him for a bit, show me around, etc.  I accepted the invitation, and then we suddenly were at his home, which was some normal-commute distance from the factory.  I don’t recall the exact conversation or plot points that transpired at his place, but the gist of it was that it became clear that the kid was somewhere on the autism spectrum; he showed me some of his stuff, which was fine, but there was no potential for any more meaningful conversation or connection with him.  I guess in his mind he thought he was acting mature and making friends, but he wasn’t really interested in me personally, or probably anyone else for that matter.

Then some guy who was with me on the trip was outside making a phone call, having a brief conversation about the current detour that we had taken by hanging out with this kid. I gathered from listening that we had gone south, perhaps about 30 minutes from the intended line in the itinerary, but we’d still get to the original destination without much inconvenience.  Then there was some kind of transition, and suddenly I was back at that factory I’d been to before.  It was at least a day later, perhaps a week.  I saw the kid again, but this time he didn’t engage me.

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