The Bet

dream series ©1996 & 2011 by Mica D'Orléans

I went down the escalator knowing that Roger was behind me. When the usher asked for the ticket, I moved aside and Roger disappeared. Shit. He knows it's important for me to see this film. Today's the last day of the bet. I walked back to the entrance of Lincoln Plaza Theatres, doubting that I left him behind, but making sure in case I did before my anger began to swell.

What the f**k? No one can disappear like this. And they wouldn't be desperate enough to win to f**king kidnap the guy. As usual, they probably guessed that I had no money. Dammit.

I go back down to the usher, asking if they saw someone looking like roger, wearing his clothing. Needless to say I was embarrassed. Perhaps they thought I was trying to scam them. And I thought about how silly I must look, so I just stood there. Most likely looking like an embarrassed lost bad kid. Then this tall Jamaican guy comes over. What can I do for you, young lady? he asks in his nice Jamaican accent. I tell him what happened. He says, wait a minute, and disappears up the escalators as I did before.

Meanwhile the concession girls call me over and, feeling sorry for me, hand me a book of five; five sets of lottery scratch off games. I do three of the sets and let them finish the rest as I won nothing. The manager returns with a second man and the three of us walk over to the entrance curtains to discuss our problem. The projectionist sticks her head out, handing me a stub and tells us to come watch the movie. but I'm too annoyed to watch, though I allow them to drag me in. The manager likes me. I could tell. he's kinda cute, but not really my type. That f**king Roger's who's bugging me for now. Where did that boy go? And why do something stupid like this?

The movie ended. We mostly talked throughout. It was fun. Like a summer night out in the islands. I could only imagine. The audience stare at me as they file out. All thinking I was giving them something for this. An ironic laugh escaped my lips, but it wasn't worth the thought. I'm still brooding though. Strange, strange and stranger things I guess could happen. Then he showed up in his Roger-I-could-be-cool-not-giving-a-f**k-about-a-thing attitude.

So, I said. My arms crossed. My two body guards looking on. Well Mica, says Roger as he removes his Ban Ray Sunglasses. I think you're trying to hook me. No. Really. Listen. You're trying to push me into some sort of commitment which I don't think is healthy.

I don't know if I should bother answering him. I don't know if I should bother claiming my win for this movie. I can't even remember what the bet was all about. The craziness coming from Roger's mouth plants me in place. It was typical. He couldn't be further from the truth, and no matter what I could tell him would not convince him or any one else hearing this shit.

Shut up Roger. There was nothing else to say. That was just f**king rude what you just did. That's all. What else. in any case I woke up. Hours passed by and it seemed so real that I just realized I had a dream while napping this afternoon.