Floodlights

Chapter 2

The noise of the morning news drags Matthew into the open plan living area. The kitchen is the lounge and the lounge is the kitchen. The breakfast bar splits the two from being one and adds at least fifty pounds to the rent. The lounge is cramped with semi circular furniture set up around a television and a redundantly messy with newspapers coffee table.

"The City has announced that the recent floods are due to a break down and blockage in the sewage system coupled with high rainfall. The result is the inability for water to be drained from the streets..." Matthew interrupts the news and switches the stereo to CD. As the music of Gary Jules and Michael Andrews blares out, Matthew's flatmate, Jack, comes running out of his bedroom wearing nothing but black socks and a pair of Speedo trunks.

"Morning morning Matty! You look knackered as usual!"

"Couldn't sleep and then when I finally dozed off, I had that bloody dream again."

"What again! The one about you playing football a few years ago?" Jack replies although knowing the answer already.

"Yep, that game again. Hang on, are those Speedos?"

"Yes, yes. The only thing I had clean on the floor. Anyway you know they give me a little bit extra swagger in the mornings!" Jack jokingly retorts.

"If you were up all last night you would have heard me playing very special board games in my boudoir!"

Matt tutts and shakes his head unbelievably, "No I didn't actually, all I could hear was that rain. It is still going! Who was it this time?"

"Oh it was Monique! She was particularly enticed by my larger than usual..."

Matthew raises his eyebrow as Jack pauses with a wry smile. Jack starts to lower his voice.

"And she is still in there! God right little tomcat and she swallows!"

Jack sniggers to himself as he puts bread in the toaster and pours water into the kettle. Matthew looks at Jack in amazement that Jack seems to bring home a different lady every night.

"Anyway it's about time you came out with us, we are going out tonight. Whole group of us are going to O'Connor's. You need a night out dude, it is not as if you are doing anything and everyone is going to be there."

"I don't know, you know how much work takes it out of me, especially with not sleeping at the moment. If it was Friday," Matthew dejectedly replies.

"Oh god man, live a little! It is just a drink and bit of food. You remember when we went out together at Uni, it was a right good craic!"

Matthew sighs and drinks the last of his apple juice and pours milk on his cereal.

"Honestly, I'll text you with the details after work and you are coming! Since university you have become a hermit. If not I'm going to slap you silly with a plaice." Jack says while jokingly slapping his hand with his own backhand.

"A fish! God I better come then! I will call you after work. I'm in the bathroom first, I'm not letting you near it with Monique in the house."

As Matthew scoffs down his Rice Krispies and grabs his towel and shaving kit, Monique opens the bathroom door and walks out in one of Jack's work shirts. She looks Matthew up and down and slides closely next to him in the doorway. As she goes towards Jack's room she looks back and mouths the word "cute". Matthew half laughs and jokingly says in a funny Northern accent, "thanks a lot!"

As Matthew leaves his flat he looks begrudgingly at the stormy sky and opens his umbrella to protect himself from the constant downpour. His first steps slice through the surface water like an Anne Robinson snap. Yet the water soon regains control and submerges most of his black shoes. The grown up effort of the teen in the dreams is well turned out with fashionable tie and suit combination. His hair is combed nicely but with style.