The Condo

Day 4: S. O. S.

Day 4: S.O.S.

Skyler begins the day with a watercooler shower followed by his breakfast. The rains beat a steady rhythm on the roof of his penthouse. They stream down his panoramic windows in tiny rivulets. Hurricane Hoit is now almost just an average dreary rain. Save for the floodwaters below and the occasional gust that bends the palms on Windswept Beach. This low amount of activity is serene, in its way.

Skyler makes a similar breakfast as yesterday. This time he has a large bowl of cereal. Plain. With no milk. He clears the dairy out of the fridge and tosses it into a small bedroom garbage bag. This too finds its way down the garbage chute just as the larger bag did yesterday. After he considers a workout in his personal gym. Skyler takes a nap on the sectional before lunch. The motivation is just not there without his personal trainer, James. James would get him off this sectional and tell him that today is arms or possibly legs day.

Besides it is probably best that Skyler conserve calories. Even with a fully stocked kitchen and ample amounts of water. It really is surprising how one can burn through such a large stockpile even with rationing. The rationing began last night after Skyler cleared the fridge of just about everything besides the eggs, mineral water, V8 and the butter. So, Skyler naps for a couple hours. When he wakes he will make lunch.

The rain and wind continue to combine in a soft lull. It is yet another overcast day. The storm clouds like billowy gray tuft of cotton. The flood waters have reached several stories up by now. There aren't any small fishing boats in downtown Ashbury. Everyone other citizen of the moderately sized city will not be back before the storm waters recede. Most taking shelter in nearby states. Florida, Louisiana, North Carolina, all of these states experienced some sort of destruction from Hurricane Hoit. Many cities are in ruins their citizens wrought with thoughts of their homes or small businesses succumbing to the force or nature by the name of, "Hoit."

Skyler wakes around noon. He stretches his arms over his head and yawns. Rubs his eyes and looks towards the kitchen.

"For today's specials we'll be having rations out of a can. Along with a don't know how long this is going to last mineral water from a flat. Of course V8 from a can is stored in the best of cellars. What used to be your fridge might stay slightly cooler than room temperature for another couple of days." Skyler laughs heartily at his own joke.

He stands up from the sectional and walks into the kitchen. Skyler reaches for a steel can. His ration. It is a can of beef stew with a pull tab at the top. The top comes off with ease. There is the brief sound of metal tearing. Afterwards, Skyler dumps the contents into a small pan. The perfect size for soup. Then the stranded individual turns the stove onto a low setting. That is when he walks back out into the lounge.

What he sees is simply incredible. Past all the gray, mist and rain. On the horizon is something Skyler has not seen in days. Other people. Far out in the ocean, too far to ever see Skyler are the hulking masses of freighters. They are tiny that far out, but unmistakable. Skyler whoops and hollers jumping up and down in joy. "I have never seen a better sight than what is in front of me today. I cannot believe it. Freighters. Beautiful, mighty, freighters!" There is a bubbling and clattering sound in the background.

Skyler turns around to see his beef stew is about to boil over. He turns the stove top off in a flash and pulls off the lid. He pours the stew into a soup bowl and grabs a soup spoon. He puts this on the table. He watches the freighters with wide eyes. Absentmindedly, he spreads oyster crackers across the top of his beef stew. The soup goes well with a can of V8 on the side.

Inspiration strikes suddenly. Especially anything to do with oil paints. Skyler knows he has some left over from an art class he enrolled in about a year ago. Skyler finishes the beef stew with relish. With his belly full he begins the work ahead. He sets his dishes in the sink and continues to drink from his can of V8. First, to find the paints. Skyler searches his bedroom closet. A walk in with wood floors. There are so many suits and pairs of shoes but no paints.

Of course, they are right above the sectional. Where better to paint than the lounge with its many windows. Skyler jumps atop the sectional and finds the tiny shelves full of art supplies. Oil paints, a smock paint brushes, canvas, an easel. It is all at his fingertips. Skyler chooses a can of red paint and a broad paint brush. The captive paints right on the windows. He makes a curvy symbol that takes one entire window. An "S" followed by a period on the neighboring window. Next an "O" in the same fashion. Followed by a sweeping S and a sloppy period. Altogether, his sign reads, "S.O.S." in large red letters made of oil paint. Skyler feels such satisfaction when he is finished he doesn't mind the ruined track jacket he is wearing. The red paint will never come out in the wash.