The Gathering

Christian and Mary have lunch at a new restaurant as they usually do on Mondays. They are slaves to the newness of things and hate routines just as much as debt collectors hate the notion of the rapture. Christian enjoys Mary’s company very much. No one could make him laugh the way she did. She always had a perspicacious way of looking at things.

“I don’t know why you always have to order me the same thing you are eating, Christian”.

“What’s wrong with it? You love Reuben sandwiches!”

“I know, I’m just not hungry”.

“You always say that. Since when are you such a finicky eater, Mary?”

“Since I saw reruns of that show Nip/Tuck. I may never eat again”.

“Isn’t that the show with the plastic surgeons?”

“Today just a TV show… tomorrow my own personal catalog”.

They both laugh as the waitress approaches them. – “Are you going to eat that second sandwich?” – she asks. Christian looks at Mary. She nods with a disgusted look on her face. – “Alright, we’ll take it to go” – says Christian. The waitress removes the plate from the table.

“So, Christian… how’s the race for the promotion going?”

“OK, I guess. There’s this other guy who’s very pushy. He’s a good candidate too… even better than me”.

“Stop doing that! You’re feeling sorry for yourself again! You are an excellent salesman”.

“Yeah, I know, but you should see his numbers. Granted some of these people were clients of mine he swooped from under me”.

“So many assholes… so little bear traps” – says Mary while looking in her compact mirror.

“My boss doesn’t care if you’re an asshole as long as you can sell, Mary”.

The waitress walks over to their table with a plastic container inside a bag. – “Here’s your food, babe. Would you like me to bring you dessert like last time?”

“Last time?” – asks Christian.

“Yeah, sure! You were here. I never forget a face. The only difference is you had glasses on”.

“There must be some mistake” – he clarifies – I always go to a new restaurant every Monday. I’ve never been here before”.

“Really?! Well, let me be the first one to tell you there’s a twin brother of yours running around loose” – she laughs as he is handed the bill.

                                                                             xxxxxx

Christian gets home. He goes to his bedroom to change his worn out work clothes reeking of office work, coffee hours and unfulfilled tasks. For someone with a monotonous line of work, he is a perfectionist when it comes to what he puts on. His closet doors consist of three large mirrors that can be arranged to move forward creating a small display area with three different views of his body in full length.

He hears a voice. - “Look…” - it whispers. He looks around, but doesn’t see anyone in the room with him. The voice insists – “Loooo-oooook…” - It is clear this is a woman’s voice.