The day of her departure was upon
us and she was still asleep. I climbed into her bed next to her and kissed her
lips. She stirred and mumbled something inaudible and I kissed her once more.
She stirred again but this time her eyes popped open and she smiled upon seeing
me. I started to kiss her again but instead I tickled her belly. She pushed me
off her and sat up on the bed. Remembering that she was late, I directed her
pretty little face toward the clock. She seemed to wake up in that moment as
she sprang up from the bed. I barely moved out of the way in time before
getting knocked over.
“You could have waked me up sooner,” she scolded.
“Well, I only just woke up, myself,” I retorted.
She scoffed and ushered me out of the room with a handful of
shirts, panties, and a fresh bra. I didn’t struggle against her exiling me. I
figured that she didn’t want any funny business keeping her from making the
airport in time. So, knowing that she’d take a minute, I found a hidden stash
of pot and made a joint. It took a couple of tries to roll it up but I managed.
I lit up and took a long toke from the joint as she emerged from her bedroom.
She glanced down upon the couch at me and the joint. I could tell from the
glint in her eyes that she wanted more than anything to snatch that joint from
my hand and take a drag.
“You had to blaze while I was getting dressed,” she said flatly,
obviously, frustrated. “Let’s just get to the airport,” she added trying to
stay calm.
“Alrighty then, but first I need to get you something,” I
responded getting to my feet.
I disappeared into the kitchen beyond and rummage through the
fridge and spot a bottle of shocktop. Picking said bottle of booze, I glanced
at its label and noticed that it was a fruity flavor. I pursed my lips and nod
thinking this was just what she could use. It wasn’t potent or high in alcohol
content but it’d be enough to comfort her. You didn’t want to give her too much
anyway else she’d be someplace beyond blotto. That meant she would be throwing
up everything she had consumed for the past few hours.
“Here, drink this,” I declared handing her the bottle of beer,
which she took without complaint.
“Shocktop, this won’t do much,” she declared laughing now.
“Just drink it, and hurry up,” I countered.
“Fine, dad,” she giggled.
She drank the bottle of booze and tossed it out. I could notice
a slight change in her. She appeared more relaxed and to think all it took was
one. Together we exited the house and I called a taxi. I removed a pack of
smokes that had been crammed in good at the bottom of my pocket. I fished out a
couple of stogies but they were brittle and crushed instantly. Finally, I
produced one and we shared it while waiting for the taxi’s arrival.
The taxi finally arrived and as much as I wanted to go with her.
I got her in the car and watched as it droned down the street. She glanced out
the back window and I waved goodbye to her. In that fleeting moment I knew I
wasn’t going to see her anymore. Not that that was my plan, for if truth be
told I had developed feelings for her in the short span of time we had lived
together out here on the west coast. But I had my work to think about and if I
had any chances at rekindling my nonexistent love affair with my estranged
better half then I had to let her go. As the taxi disappeared over the next
hill I blew her a kiss and I know she blew me one back. Perhaps, I thought, she
knew this was farewell.
Then my cell phone buzzed and I knew right away it was the fat
cats in their tidy suits sucking on their big black cigars expelling clouds of
smoke. I dug it out of my pocket and took it out and answered. Sure enough, it
was a fat cat in a tidy suit, and he wanted me to meet him at some fancy
restaurant in Beverly Hills. I agreed and hung up.
I called me a taxi and headed to work. Back to listening to
others who thought they knew better. What the fuck ever, I thought, as long as
they paid me. I would listen to them read from the phone book. It was work and
more importantly, it was my work to do and when I werks I werks hard. I was
hoping, in all honesty, that this gig would lead to something more than what I
had at the moment. Don’t get me wrong any work, especially work relating to
what I dreamed of doing, was fine but I needed to branch out and discover new
things. Little did I know it but fate was planning just that for me.
So I arrived at the eatery and right away I was taken aback by
the sheer chic nature of the venue. It was very clean and everything seemed as
if the owners went to extraordinary lengths to ensure that its patrons were fed
well but not only their bellies but their eyes as well. Of course, this flamboyance
was lost on me. I was more of the simpler taste kind of man who enjoyed a good
bite to eat followed up by some exquisite vintage liquor with a nightcap that
usually ensured I was getting laid. It’s the simple things in life that one
often overlooks on his or her rise to power. Maybe I am overthinking this a tad
much but I digress.
“Hey, James, you made it,” the fat cat in his tidy suit said as
he pulled out a chair and waited for me to sit down.
“Yeah, Maxwell, I am here, but you shouldn’t have,” I responded
with snarky sarcasm and I gestured towards the eatery in which we sat.
“That’s Max, but whatever, and I couldn’t help myself. This is
my favorite eatery and it has a wonderful bar,” he retorted ignoring my rude
behavior.
“Oh, they do, do they?” I said more of a statement than a
question. Suddenly, I felt my mood swift from mildly amused yet annoyed to
curious and my palate craving some of that expensive food and booze.
“Yes, some of the most vintage wine aged to perfection, not to
mention some of the best choices of scotch and whiskey,” he continued his
boasting with an almost childish glee.
“Sounds good, but what did you want of me?” I responded and
changed the direction of conversation back to the matter at hand.
He paused a moment and called over a waitress, a young beautiful
creature with long, wavy auburn colored hair and perky breasts and an hour
glass figure. He whispered something in her ear that I didn’t catch and she
nodded. And as she turned to rush off and fulfill his request, I caught a glimpse
of her face and she had dark brown skin as dark and delicious as caramel and as
delicate as a china doll. She was beautiful and her exotic look caught me off
guard and I was lost in her gaze long after she departed.
Max noticed my enamored facial expression and swooped in fill me
in on her details. Seeing as he was much older than me and not in particular,
an attractive sort, not that I judge men that way, he took great pleasure in
gloating.
“So, I’ve noticed you caught sight of Scarlett, she’s quite beauty,
isn’t she?” he teased.
“She’s beautiful, yes, that’s one of her qualities. I am sure,”
I answered playing into his little game of wills.
“Anyway, let’s not get sidetracked. The reason for us meeting
here today was to discuss the adaptation of your novella to a feature film,” he
said, becoming more serious in tone.
“So, it is becoming a movie then?” I asked both surprised and
confused.
“Yes and the main reason why we keep coming to you, for certain
gigs, that wouldn’t be within the realm of possibility for new writers, was
because you got raw talent and as such the higher ups feel you’d be perfect to
pen the script for the movie based on the novella they loved,” he said, going
off what I had asked.
“Wow, don’t hold back anything,” I joked.
The exotic beauty named Scarlett returned with a tray of glasses
with a light brown liquid softened by a few cubes of ice added to lighten the
rush of alcohol. In other words, you drank whiskey on the rocks, so you could
get through a meeting relaxed but conscious. Still I must admit it was rather
flattering to have the fat cats in their tidy little suits and thick cigars
come to me directly. Although it was a tad bit unorthodox. I mean usually
they’d talk to me via my agent. But as my new buddy, Max, had said I had a raw
talent and this talent merited forgoing the middle man and going straight to
the source of which was me, the talent.
“I mean, this is pretty nice and the treatment is flattering but
shouldn’t you go through my agent?” I had to curve my amusement and be the
voice of reason.
This statement seemed to leave him perplexed. He was of the
opinion that I would be eating out of his hands like a pigeon being given seeds
or pieces of bread. Clearly, he had no idea how simple of a man I was. Granted,
I was new to the game but I just figured an agent did all of the groundwork for
you and discus this and that with the fat cats and then once was all said and
done he’d relay the info over to me. But hell, what did I know?
“Are you saying that you’re not interested in penning the
script?” he asked again with that same dumfounded expression written on his
face.
I stole a moment to contemplate his next move
before making my own. I guess you could say I wanted to make sure this offer
was genuine and legit. He offered me the proverbial holy grail of writers, and
that was writing a movie, let alone one that was based upon said writer’s own
work.
“You know what, I will be more than happy to pen the script.
Giving into his childish glee and euphoria, I took the cup of whiskey and
drained the rest of the whiskey therein.
His puzzled look faded and a look of sheer glee and satisfaction
crossed his lips in the form of a smug smile.
“Excellent, just excellent,” he declared, slapping his hands
together.
The candy coated goodness in the form of a waitress named
Scarlett returned bearing refills for our glasses and before she departed once
again leaving me to admire her wondrous form. She left me a note. Much to my
satisfaction, Max didn’t see her leave me the note. I wasn’t sure if they had
had a thing before or not. But it was best not to test the waters had he seen
the passing of the note.
I opened up the note that was folded up and hand written, top
this all off with an imprint of lipstick. The note read:
Hey, handsome, I’ve not seen you here before. And I know who you
are, thanks to your vivid and detailed novella. Anyway, give me a call whenever
you’re free.
Anything for a pretty face,
Scarlett
The note ended but was followed by her phone number. I quickly
folded up this piece of paper and tucked it in my pants pocket.
Max, the fat cat in the suit, turned back around and still
smiling. The less he knows the better, I thought. For it was evident how he
reacted to my initial glance at her yummy goodness that I should play it safe.
Still if she chose me over him it was her choice. After all it was her body and
she could choose who to screw or not. We were just lucky she was looking our
way at all.
“Back to business, where was I?” he started.
“You were elated over my having made the decision you hoped I
would,” I reminded him.
“Right, that was it. We should have further details on this
matter in the months to come. But for now keep up the good work, and when the
top brass have sorted it all out, we’ll let you know,” he declared still smiling.
The man was hard pressed to let anything get him down; Kudos to him for that.
Glancing down at my watch, I thought quickly on how best to make
an excuse for my egress. Then, I just decided to up and leave. If he asked why
I was bailing, I’d give him some lame excuse. There wasn’t much they could do
other than take away all they had given me. I couldn’t afford that being so far
from home but I was ballsy back then.
“Look, I have to go but thanks for the drinks and the new
writing gig in the works; I mean it is a lot to take in. So, I will just go for
now and let it process,” I stated pretending to be flustered, and I stood up.
He rose with me and we shook hands. His smile remained intact;
obviously, my sudden move for departure hadn’t deterred him at all. Good, I
thought, that meant I was not going to find out later I had been fired. The
money was good, and the work if you wanted to call it such was easy. Besides I
was far from home so, if shit got fucked up out here, then, I would be up shit’s
creek without a paddle.
“I look forward to working with you, Adler,” he stated honestly,
his smile reduced to a cheesy grin.
I turned away from the table and darted towards the entrance,
stopping for a minute to pull the folded note out of my pocket and take a
glance at the number. I hesitated a moment before stealing a look over my
shoulder at the table where he sat. He was far too busy ordering more drinks to
care what I was up to.
Outside I took out my cell phone and dialed up the number only
to get her voicemail. Usually, I cared not to speak to a stupid machine but in
this case I thought what the hell. I left her a short message followed by my
own cell number. Hanging up, I ran over to the curb and started flagging down a
taxi. Most of the time in this part of the country, it was prudent to call
ahead of time but Beverly Hills was the exception. They were like cockroaches
when you turned the light on. The only difference was that they didn’t disperse
with the coming of said light.
After a few long minutes of flailing my arms like a mad person,
a taxi slowed down and idled less than a foot from me. I climbed in and gave
him the directions to my place back in Venice. I considered getting my own mode
of transportation to get me from point A to B and back again. These taxi rides
were adding up quickly. Something else to discuss with my agent, I supposed.
Speak of the devil and he shall appear. At least it was the
devil’s mouthpiece. He was looking not too pleased to see me arrive home so
early. I have to admit that he had just cause to be pissed off. After all the
fat cats in the suits had just cut him out of the loop, and he couldn’t perform
his function of which was filling me in on the higher ups’ decisions. So, I
endured his whining.
I paid the taxi driver and he peeled out and I was left alone to
deal with my distraught agent. Woe is me; I thought but soon disregarded the
sentiment.
“What’s got your panties in a bunch?” I teased attempting humor
to try and lighten the mood. It failed.
“Don’t even start with me, okay?” he snapped, waving his cell
phone like fish flapping when pulled out of the water.
“What? What did I do?” I inquired trying to play it innocent.
“Oh, you didn’t do anything much other than go behind my back
and have a meeting,” he declared loudly, almost yelling.
He slumped down to one knee and collapsed onto the porch, still
half sitting.
“Hey, buddy, come here, I got something inside that will make
this all go away,” I advised and helped him to his feet.
Together we waddled through the front door and once inside I
guided him over to the couch. I figured the best thing was to get him drunk or
high. And seeing how the latter was far easier and less messy than the former,
I opted to get him stoned.
Once he was settled on the couch, I went into the hallway and
took out some weed from a closet. Out of habit I took a whiff of the herb and
it filled my nostrils with that sweet aroma of which Mary Jane was known for. I
returned to the living room and sat down across from Chris. Taking out the
weed, I set my mind on rolling a joint.
“Hang in there, buddy,” I said softly while finishing up the
dooby.
I licked the paper and finished rolling the joint when Chris
started to get to his feet only to lose his balance and he collapsed into a
heap onto the couch
.
“I guess I had better stay seated,” he moaned.
“Good idea,” I retorted, extending my arm out with my hand
balled up in a fist. “Take a couple tokes from this and you’ll be feeling
better in no time,” I declared, handing him the joint.
He took the joint without comment and I handed him a lighter. He
lit up and took a deep pull. Within moments his demeanor lightened and he
seemed to relax a tad.
“Good call on the weed,” he said amidst a chuckle.
I leaned back in the recliner and let out an audible sigh. Then
my cell phone began to ring.
“Is that me?” Chris asked alarmed by the abrupt noise and he
checked his pocket for his cell. He found it and looked up from his phone,
“It’s not mine,” he said flatly.
“Oh shit, it’s Scarlett,” I swore remembering that I had left
her my phone number in a voicemail from earlier.
“Who’s Scarlett?” He asked again a little alarmed more so from
the lack of knowledge of who this woman might be than anything else.
“Just some waitress that I met when I was meeting with Maxwell,”
I said nonchalantly and he nodded in approval.
“Hello,” I said answering the phone.
“Hey, about time you answered,” she responded, sounding a little
annoyed.
“Yeah, sorry about, just had to take care of a little situation
here,” I countered.
“Nah, that’s cool. I was just wondering if you wanted to meet up
and I don’t know do something tonight?” she said, offering me a way out of this
situation at least for the moment.
“Give me a minute,” I pleaded and before she got a chance to
respond I moved the phone away from my mouth and looked over at my disgruntled
agent. “I got to go out for a little bit; will you be okay if I take off?” I
asked with a hint of conflicting emotions in my eyes. Those were my desire to
resolve this conflict between he and I and the other was my wanting out of here
and enjoy myself for a bit.
“Sure thing, but don’t think this will change anything,” was his
response.
I remained staring at him but he waved me off dismissing me. So
I put the phone back to my mouth and spoke, “Sure I am game, meet me at the
Starbucks on the boulevard in Hollywood,” I said mildly excited.
She agreed and I hung up and got the keys to Chris’ BMW and
departed.
I pulled out of the driveway and drove down to the boardwalk and
followed it until I came to another street that led me the I-10, Santa Monica
freeway, and on into Hollywood. The whole drive over many thoughts passed
through my mind, chief amongst them was how pissed off Chris truly was, and the
conflicting emotion of being angry at myself. The latter occurred because I had
hoped not to go out of one assorted affair that was now concluded only to get
involved with another. In the back of my mind I recalled the surreal dream I
had had and a path that led to my future with Jenny. It began to recede into
oblivion and I was cast forward to whatever alternate path down which I would
walk without her.
As I exited the freeway and ventured down a couple of side
streets the wind that blew in through the driver side’s window felt warmer
against my face and in responses I lowered the soft top. In doing so, the
warmer air picked up in strength and blew against my face and played with my
hair. At that point I brushed aside any feelings of concern or misgivings and
prepared myself for the night that I was damned sure to enjoy no matter what
the repercussion it would have tomorrow. Such was my primary self-defense
mechanism I had built up when my “armor” no longer suffice to keep me from
losing it.
Twenty minutes later I turned onto Vine and followed it up to
the boulevard and found some parking in a lot as directed by the Mexican fellow
dressed in black slacks and bright red jacket and his light baton. I let him
guide me into the parking area and I parked the car. AS I climbed out a man
approached me dressed in a security outfit and a serious expression writ on his
face. He handed me a ticket and told me to pay for parking upon my return. I
nodded in understanding and he moved aside to let me carry on.
I took out my cell and opened up the call history and dialed the
last number to have called me. It was her cell phone. She answered after two
rings.
“Hey, I just parked a block away. See you shortly,” I said
informing her of my location.
“Great, I’ll order me another drink and will be sure to get you
one as well,” she responded sounding less annoyed.
I hung up once more and walked the block in silence and paused a
moment to consider what I was about to do. I looked out across the street and
saw the familiar dark green cloth that served as an awning and searched for
her. Spotting her amongst a small gathering of people seated outside the place,
I sighed and thought what the hell. Mind as well go and have fun seeing as I
was already there, I reasoned.
She saw me crossing the street and flagged me over to her and I
waved back. She looked absolutely gorgeous. She wore a little make up and wore
a black leather jacket which matched mine closely. I shook my head, thinking
that I had a knack for getting myself up shit’s creek without a paddle but it
was the heat of the moment that counted. The heat of the moment brought me good
times and fond memories but there were always consequences to think about. But
that was for another time. Tomorrow will come and I’d have to worry about it
then.
“Hey,” I said as we hugged and I kissed her on the cheek.
She giggled. Her demeanor softened and she kiss me “I was
beginning to think you weren’t coming,” she teased.
“I thought so too but I’m here,” I said evenly trying to get
pass the previous hurdle and make the most of the night.
“Yes, you are,” she answered letting the moment fade.
I let a slight smirk form on my lips and a sighed. Feeling a tad
bit relieved, I gestured to the drinks and she nodded and handed me mine. I sat
down with her at the table where she had been waiting for me to arrive.
“So, when is the last time you’ve been on a date?” She
questioned trying to break the proverbial ice.
I quickly considered whether or not to tell her about my not so
distant break up with Jenny. My feelings for jenny won out and I decided to
tell her. Perhaps she would feel a tad bit of pity for my story of woe. Or so I
thought. This wasn’t my usual tact but then again this situation with me and
Jenny was atypical.
“Well, not too long ago I broke up with my now ex-girlfriend and
I’ve been trying to decide what to do on that front,” I answered her honestly.
She started to respond but hesitated a bit instead. I figured
she was about to speak on the matter or maybe she was a little hesitant
divulging such personal matters to a complete stranger.
“I know the feeling, I just went through a break up a month ago,
and now my son’s father and I are trying to remain civil for the sake of our
child,” she responded.
Her response struck me odd that she’d tell me such a personal
matter. But maybe she liked the fact that we shared something in common no
matter how painful it was to say. This was my thought on the matter. Then
again, who really knows what goes through a woman’s mind?
“But we’re still alive and we got to put the past behind us and
move on,” I said raising my plastic glass of green tea Frappuccino.
She smiled and raised hers with mine, “Here, here,” she said
sounding more relaxed.
Some of the patrons turned to see what all the fuss was about
but soon lost interested. Screw them, I thought. Let’s us be. I almost said as
much but then I shrugged it off and took out a cig. I offered her one and she
accepted. I lit both of our cigs up and took a deep drag from mine. The
nicotine rushed through me as though it was one of those volcano mock ups that
kids made to win their science fair only difference being that I relished in
this sensation. Smoking a cig always caused me to relax just enough to settle my
mind. She seemed to relax as well and that was winning. In the milky lamp light
coming from the street lamps and florescent lighting from within augmented her
beauty and exotic features. This further attracted me to her and I caught her
scoping me as well.
“You know, you look pretty cute, especially in this lighting. It
just suites you to the T,” she announced becoming aware of my having seen her
checking me out.
I laughed, “Well, I do like to fit in and move with the crowd as
oppose to standing out. Hence, my present attire that I am wearing,” I said
proudly, gesturing to my apparel.
“That much I’ve surmised all on my own, and you’re pretty witty
as well,” she said in addition to her previous compliment.
I actually cracked a smile, not a pompous or mildly amused
smirk, but a genuine smile. There is a difference.
“You know, you should smile more often. It gets me wet,” she
declared boldly her coffee browns for eyes dilated and she bit her lip.
“You want to get out here and go someplace else?” I suggested
recognizing her changed in behavior towards me.
“Yeah, let’s go get some drinks. The stiffer the better,” she
agreed.
Together we rose as one and hoofed it up the boulevard until we
reached Highland Avenue and flagged down a taxi and rode it until Venice Beach.
There we disembarked and strolled along the boardwalk, hand in hand, and talked
idly about a variety of unimportant subjects that were equally pointless but
also meaningful. Only two people who were totally in tune with each other could
pull such a feat. These moments in time are fleeting but memorable and as such
should be enjoyed to the extreme.
“So, how far do you live from here?” she asked suddenly,
twirling about and gesturing at the beach and the countless eateries in the
distance.
“Not too far away from that there bar,” I answered her as I
pointed to a small brick building that was less than twenty feet from the
water.
It had a neat little terrace where patrons could sit out under
the moonlight and sip on their beverages all the while enjoying the view of the
ocean as the tides rushed in and surf splashed like the frothiness you’d get in
a cup of hot chocolate or designer coffee. I watched as she examined the venue
with an eye of scrutiny and then she smiled. I knew from her reaction she was
sold on it.
“You want to go?” I pressed gently still pointing at the
aforementioned venue.
She nodded in agreement and squeezed my hand within hers. I felt
a wave of excitation not to mention calm wash over me. It could have been the
wind but I’m pretty certain it was because of her touch. All of this including her perfume gave off
such a sweet and not all together overly fruity scent. It was the right degree
of fruity mixed with an alluring aroma that captivated me.
So on we strolled up the boardwalk and as we drew closer the
building’s décor became a lucid picture in our minds. There were specials
posted on the windows and crown like roof that was brown tile. There was also
an accouchement of the family type restaurant opening tonight and also a local
rock band was going to perform live. This place no longer exists but in its
time the place was rocking all hours of the night. During the day it was less
crowded but still a handful of faithful patrons would show their homage and
dedication by stopping in during the down time.
“Hey, I think I know this local band,” she said with a hint of
confidence.
“Oh yeah? Cool, then we should enjoy ourselves,” I declared
excited.
I held the door open for and after she filed in, I followed
behind her.
