Wild Cards

Chapter 8: Big Date

As soon as I put down my number two pencil, I glance at the clock on the classroom wall. I can't believe that it's 7:15 already, but good essays tend to make time speed up. Turning in my paper, I rush out the doors of Gotham University and begin to make my way downtown to the comedy club. 

Hailing a taxi, the driver takes fifteen minutes to get me there, amidst the traffic and hoodlums running in the streets. I could have sworn that some of them were wearing clown masks, but I can hardly think about that fact when I'm nervous as hell about Arthur's performance. 

Is it going well for him? I truly hope so. With all of my heart, I hope so. 

I finally arrive at Pogo's at roughly 7:30, rushing in wearing a short-sleeved, knee length red dress and my favorite black coat. As I enter the lounge, I'm welcomed with the sweet sound of Arthur's voice booming over the microphone. The entire place is packed, every table seated with the citizens of Gotham. 

Once I locate an available spot in a dark corner, my eager eyes find Arthur standing up on the stage as he delivers his final line. 

"It's funny. When I was a little boy and told people I was gonna be a comedian, everyone laughed at me. Well, no one's laughing now," he concludes, spreading his arms wide. 

The crowd politely applauds and I clap enthusiastically. He seems proud with his performance and I couldn't be happier for him. 

Arthur departs from the heightened platform, walking into the dim backstage hallway, now hidden from my view. I head back outside, hoping to more easily find him when he exits the building. A few couples leave the club as I lean against the brick wall on the garbage cluttered street.

Eventually, Arthur emerges and I grab his wrist, tugging him to me. 

"Hey!  I saw the end of your act! How'd it go?" I ask.

He faces me with a radiant smile, taking my hands in both of his.  "It was great, Carlie! They loved it!"

I've never seen him so excited, so full of joy. He's standing up straighter and his infectious grin never falters.   

"That's amazing, Arthur! I'm so relieved everything went well. I was so worried on the drive over here. But I knew you could do it," I praise him. "We should go celebrate.  Come on."

I grasp one of his hands tightly in mine and we stroll down the block, side by side. 

While walking and chatting about our dreams for the future, we come across a newsstand. The main headline on one of the papers claims that a killer clown is on the loose. A suspect in a clown mask murdered three Wall Street men on the subway.

Oh, so that explains the people in clown masks that I saw. It wasn't just my overactive imagination. 

I notice how Arthur halts our pace to stop and stare at the front page with intrigue, his eyes narrowing at the scary sketch of the supposed murderous monster.  

I put my hand lightly on his shoulder. "What is it?"

He slowly turns his head back towards me. "Nothing," he replies, smiling slyly at me.  "Come on, the diner's right around this corner."

"Okay," I murmur, threading my fingers through his as we continue our trek. Quickly, I dismiss his brief bizarre fascination and try to focus on the pleasant, celebratory night ahead of us.  

We eat at the same restaurant where we spent our first evening together. I can't believe it was only a short while ago when I met and fell head over heels for this sweet, charming man.