Pursuing Nirvana.

o n e

Soft music and hushed conversations fill the air of the Downtown Vinyl Music Shop. There was only a few people, as usual, shuffling through my father's massive collection of records.

Today is Monday, and quite a "Monday" at that, so business had been slower than usual. The people of New York seemed more sluggish today than their usual relentless buzz. This only adds to my nearly emotionless mood. Letting out a content sigh and reaching under the counter for my phone, I check the time. Almost time to close up, I thought. Suddenly someone clears their throat in front of me, causing me to toss my phone back under the counter and look up quickly.

"I'd like to buy this album, if you're not too busy," A middle-aged man more snidely states than asks.

The man is clearly of high stature as he dons a suit and tie with a black leather briefcase in hand.

Nodding and reaching for the album he'd selected, I answer with random politeness, "Yes, of course."

I look it over with admiration, Led Zeppelin's Physical Graffiti. One of my father's favorites. I repressed the pang of sadness that had washed over me and broke into a fake grin.

"Good band, you're into classic rock?" I ask as I scan the album.

The man's stoic expression broke ever so slightly as he nodded, a grin tugging at the corner of his mouth, "Yes, I've even attended a concert. Back in the '70s, of course, when I was much younger." The man was smiling widely now, a nostalgic look glazing over his eyes.

"Well, you don't look a day past 20," I compliment.

A gracious expression paints over his face as his cheeks flush a rosy color, "Oh.. well, thank you."

I nod again, "Of course and that'll be $25."

The grinning man reaches for his wallet and pulls out the money, handing it over to me. I deposit the money into the register and hand him the record and his change, which he immediately hands back.

"Keep it. People like you are uncommon these days, you deserve it."

I thank him graciously as he walks out of the shop with a proud smile and boosted good karma.

I slip the five swiftly into my pocket. Grinning madly with satisfaction as I reach for my phone again.

5:55.

The time keeps getting closer and closer and the shop has begun to clear out so I figure I might as well start closing up to go home.

........

6:15.

I had finally cleaned everything up and headed back to the break room for the keys when I heard the door bells chime. I furrow my brow, no one should be even in the shop right now besides me. Not to mention, the sign on the door was flipped to 'closed' so who would be dumb enough to assume we were open? Confused, I walk back out to find a boy in a jean jacket flipping through the albums carelessly.

"Excuse me, sir, but we're closed," I announce with authority.

He turns around coolly, and I can't help but admire his appearance.

The boy looks young with messy almond brown hair that falls perfectly above his shocking bright blue eyes.

His skin was tanned and he seemed to be in rather good shape, judging by his defined cheekbones and jaw.

The boy was huge, though, reaching six feet high at least. He had a silver ring on the right of his lip, medium sized black gauges and another ring on the left side of his nose.