Pandora's Box

Finding Your Way

You sit at the bar, staring at your drink.

You have no idea how much time has passed.

The bartender shakes your shoulder, gently. "Hey! Are you ok? You've been sitting here, all spaced out. What's going on in that mind of yours? Did you finally come up with an idea for another story?"

You look up, blinking, trying to gather your thoughts.

"In-in my mind?" You repeat softly, as if trying out the words.

The bartender looks at you, concern on his face.

You laugh shakily.

The sound of your laugh scares you.

You wonder if you are going crazy.

Softly, almost a whisper, you repeat again, "In my mind."

You look down at your glass and say, "I was walking through the woods the other day. Just trying to clear my head, you know? I came across an abandoned house. Just. . . out in the middle of nowhere." Your voice is distant as you remember.

You look up at the bartender, and whatever he sees on your face makes his eyes widen in surprise.

"Well, you know me. If I was a cat, my curiosity would have killed me long ago. I had to go explore."

You frown and take a deep breath, as if bracing yourself.

"I remember walking up to the house." You pause, thinking hard.

"I remember opening the door." You can see yourself and relive the anticipation of finding out what lies ahead.

"I remember. . . walking down the hallway."

You pause as you relive the memory, and when you start talking again, your voice is full of awe. "At the end of the hallway was a set of double doors. These doors were like nothing I have ever seen or even heard of!"

You stop again, trying to figure out how to describe them. "They looked like two massive stained glass windows. The picture created by the stained glass was of a ballroom. With couples wearing different styles of clothing. Dancing."

The bartender's eyebrows rose. "Wow. Sounds cool so far."

You are lost in your own thoughts, and don't hear him. You continue, "The weird thing about the picture was that in the top corner was a figure dressed in black, sitting alone, watching the dancers. Oh! And another thing that was weird? All of the dancers were in solid colors - no two were dressed alike."

You take a drink and shake your head as you laugh. When you realize your laughter contains a touch of hysteria you quickly take another sip.

You pause for a long moment. When you look up at the bartender your smile is bittersweet. "You want to know whats in my mind?

Inside my mind is a house.

Inside the house is a door.

Through the door is a room.

In the room are figures.

Like a child's kaleidoscope they twist and turn about each other.

Cloaked and hooded, their identities are a mystery.

Until one brushes against you.

Then you realize. . .

They are emotions."

The bartender stares at you for a long moment. Then he slowly nods his head, gives you a small smile and backs away with a bow.