Sinning In The City

Chapter 15 - Show me the way

Roxbury spent his saturday night at the neighborhood movie theatre. He needed a simple break in the fast-pace sensation he had felt these past few days. Nothing like staying in a dark room watching the story of other people for a few hours without thinking about anything.

This theatre was known for having re-runs of past movies that had encountered a modest success in the US but which, for some reasons, hadn't had the coverage they deserved. Tonight was showing Y tu Mama Tambien, a mexican flick about two teenage boys who learn a thing or two about life with the help of an attractive older woman. For sure this would be a distraction, Roxbury thought.

The minute the lights came back on while the credits were scrolling fast on the screen, Roxbury found his first post-movie thought was for Layla. Where is she? It was hard to understand that she hadn't given sign of life since that last Thursday photo session. Roxbury went through the events once more in his mind, and even though he ackowledged to himself that he had laid his hands on her a little more than the professional relationship had called for, he felt Layla was at the very least responsive, and for sure she didn't appear to be offended.

So why did she not call or text him back? His visit to Brew me softly earlier this morning had only added more fog to his already troubled thinking process. Layla's boss had told Roxbury that she had asked for Friday off, which he gave her, but she hadn't shown back to work this morning, which had left him in a bind.

Roxbury powered his phone back on as he was exiting the room. He waited for his device to catch a signal once he was in the street, but there were no messages. He decided he'd stop by the coffee shop once more to see if Layla had been back at all, or contacted them. After a good 20 minutes walking the streets of New York, his thoughts travelling from Layla to Natalia, Roxbury finally turned the corner that placed him in front of Brew Me Softly. He pushed the door and walked in.

He felt a little out of place since he couldn't remember ever coming here at night. The atmosphere was instantly different as a young man was standing on a small wooden pedestal in the back corner, reciting poems. There was a small gathering around him sipping on cold drinks and listening carefully. Roxbury walked slowly towards the waitress on duty and went with the plan he had in mind.

"Hey Amber, Is Layla here yet?" He asked the young girl after a quick glance at her name tag.

Amber frowned and responded with a shy voice. "Oh no, Layla only works in the morning."

"Oh, I know that." Roxbury said with a smile. "She and I were supposed to meet up front half an hour ago, but I keep getting her voice mail. I thought maybe she stopped by or left a message for me."

Amber looked at him, obviously puzzled.

"Roxbury Porter?" He added in case Amber had heard his name from Layla.

"Hum... No, I haven't seen her all day. But I only start at 3:00 so... you know..."

Roxbury glanced around and realized he wasn't within hearing distance from anyone in the shop.

"Amber, I have 2 tickets to a broadway show that starts in one hour. This was meant as a surprise for Layla" Roxbury told the young barista. "If I don't find her soon, they will go to waste. Do you mind checking if maybe she left a note for me in the employee lounge?"

Amber looked towards the small group of people by the would-be poet, and after a quick look-around the rest of the room, she made eye contact with Roxbury again and offered him a small smile.

"Ok... They all seem satisfied for now." She said pointing at the group of customers to her right. "Give me a minute, I'll see what I can find."

"You're so sweet!" Roxbury thanked her.

As soon as Amber turned around, Roxbury's years of experience in searching for information came back to him. He already knew the customers were busy in the far corner by the big windows so he acted quickly, but confidently. First he looked for any postings on the walls surrounding the work area, then around the cash register since this was the one spot in the business where all employees spent most time, therefore you'd always find post-its and notes.

Roxbury noticed a few handwritten notes with schedules of shift changes. There were also a few pictures of employees posing with customers, as well as important numbers for quick access. Roxbury quickly looked through them, but most were random local suppliers and ammenities phone and account numbers scribbled in a hurry.

The clock in his head told him Amber would be back soon, so he started looking at less common, but still relevant, places. The cork board against the wall behind the serving station didn't offer much, but he knew he hit the jackpot when he pulled on a piece of paper that was sticking out from under the cash register. The page showed a bunch of names and numbers, but he knew he couldn't just take the paper with him so he used his phone to take a few quick snapshots, hoping he'd have all names covered. Amber came back the second his hand was still mid-air above the register, holding his phone.

"Still no answer!" He quickly said showing his phone to Amber. "Did you find anything?" He then quickly added, not giving her a chance to think about what she could have seen, or what it meant.

"No." she said almost apologizing. "She didn't leave anything in her personal slot either, and the employees' cabinet is locked so I couldn't look for a back-up number. I am so sorry."

Roxbury didn't have great expecations from Amber's trip to the back office. He feigned disappointment and appeared to be thinking about his next step, but deep inside, he was itching to get out fast and start studying the photos he took. He scribbled his number on a piece of paper and handed it out to Amber.

"Would you please call me if she ever calls here tonight? Maybe she lost her cell phone."

Happy to finally be in a position to help, Amber took the piece of paper and smiled. "I sure will!"

Roxbury thanked her and left the coffee shop. He walked back to his place at a fast pace. Once inside, he threw his keys on the small table by the couch and went and plugged his phone to his computer. He transferred the most recent pictures and opened them on the monitor.

Once again, the first few names and numbers were mostly referring to other business in the same block, as well as direct numbers for the local sheriff and firemen. Down the list came the names of current and past employees. Roxbury saw Sean listed as being the manager and both his cell phone and home number were shown. He scrolled down the list and finally saw Layla's name.

Next to her name was a phone number. Roxbury grabbed his cell phone to compare it to the number he had. Bummer! That was the number Layla wasn't answering since Thursday.

There was no other number listed next to Layla's name and Roxbury could feel he was becoming desperate. Below Layla's name was another name that was linked to Layla by an arrow that someone drew with a pencil. It said "Also try Natasha" and it showed a different number. Roxbury paused and pondered what to do next.

He finally dialed the number showing next to the "Also try Natasha" and waited. He felt that this girl might be Layla's "emergency contact" since all other employees had one listed next to their names, usually a parent.

The phone rang but noone answer. After 8 rings, the greeting said:

"Hi, this is Natasha! I promise I'll call you back if you want me to." Then came the famous beep.

Roxbury was caught off guard by the strange greeting, and by the tone in the voice, but he left a voice mail nonetheless.

"Natasha, my name is Roxbury and this number is listed as a back up number for Layla. Could you please call me back?" Roxbury gave his phone number, then repeated it and added. "Call please, even late." and then hung up.

He went to the couch, placed the phone on the table in front of him, and turned the tv on in the hopes he'd catch a documentary. A few minutes later, he was sound asleep.