Reality Ballroom

My hand stayed steady on the gold-trimmed banister. The sight from the top revealed the English manor in all its radiance, aglow with light and crystal as if we all were inside the heart of a burning star. The faces below were hidden from sight, masked with wonder and uncertainty. No one seemed to mind the masks as the men continued to twirl their stunning, delicate women about the floor to a slightly upbeat piano tune. Gold, white, silver, and black became entwined in the endless movement of the dancers. As the music slowed, I adjusted my mask and began my decent. My silk gloves slipped so gently on the banister as if it were aligned with stardust beckoning me to come faster. Upon reaching the floor, I was offered caviar on a cracker and graciously accepted. While nibbling on it gently, a man in golden linen made his way towards me. With a smile, he complimented my appearance saying my dress of silver sparkles shined brighter than the Milky Way itself. He offered me his hand and whisked me away into a slow dance. With care, he removed my mask to reveal my gentle face. I raised my hand to his face slowly in an effort to remove his. The clock struck 11. DONG. DONG. DONG. DONG. BEEP. BEEP. BEEP! BEEP!

I opened one eye and turned my alarm off. My cat was lying by my head and purring heavily.

“What?” I asked him.

He tilted his head.

“At least my dreams don’t involve a day of carnage at Joe’s Fish Emporium. I don’t know who you’re judging.”

I turned my head back to clock, revealing it to be 8:30 am. That would have been just fine, but then it just occurred to me I had to be at work early today to go over yesterday’s files.

Rushing out of my bed, I hit the “play” button on my answering machine as I ran for the closet in search of clothes.

“You have one new message……Hey Ally, its Josh from Ollie’s the other night. Listen, I’m sorry I had one too many and puked on your dress, that’s not gonna happen again, okay? You’re very well put together, ya know? Like uh, I don’t know. Something nice. Give me a call. End of message.”

A trip to the laundry mat was clearly overdue. Grabbed the clothes from the top of the hamper and gave them a quick whiff. Smelled clean. Hated to do it, but maybe no one would notice and threw them on.

As the search for my other shoe continued, I turned on the radio to check the weather.

“Freezing cold out there today! Reaching about 20 degrees. Some snow possible this morning. But now back to CoolJaz In The Morning bringing you an oldie from the years gone. SexyBack by Justin…”

Turned it off. Every single song on the radio about sex, how is that tasteful music? Found my shoe by the lamp.

Something was ruffling around in the kitchen. Max was on top of the garbage can again.

“Again, you damn old thing? What’s a matter with you? Identity crisis? DOGS go though the trash, not CATS! Get off!”

He jumped down and ran past his empty food bowl.

“Oh, I’m sorry baby. I forgot your food. I’ll pick some up tonight after work, that tuna flavor you love so much, okay?”

Bare cupboards, but half a pop tart left on the counter. Stuffed it in my mouth and walked to the door. 

Picked up my gloves, but upon putting them on noticed they were ripped and tossed them in the garbage.

“Where’s my coat?”

I saw it laying upon the chair with Max needing his claws into it.

“MAX! You’re gonna get hair all over it!”

He saw me approaching and jumped back to the bed.

Upon grabbing my coat, I walked to the door while saying, “Max, you’re getting old. Keep this up, I’m sending you to some farm upstate. I’ll do it!”

I took another bite of my pop tart and wished it was something else. Perhaps some french toast with some powdered sugar, with a side of eggs and bacon accompanied by a delicious mimosa that awaited me after I awoke in my silk nightgown from a deep slumber.

“Meow?”

Max looked at me and tilted his head again as if he knew what I was thinking.

“Don’t look at me like that. I live in reality.”

He tilted his neck back. I let out a sigh, walked over to him and stroked his fur.

“I’m just kidding; I’d never send you away. Just wish there was something more than this for me I guess, ya know?”

He purred heavily as I scratched behind his ears.

“I’ll bring you back some kitty chow tonight handsome”, I said as I got up and walked back to the door.

“Don’t tell anyone about our talks Max, people will think I’m nuts or too lonely or something. I know I can count on you buddy cause well, ya know, you don’t talk. Later.”

When I opened the door, my heart jumped because Marcus was standing right there.

“What the hell is the matter with you Marcus!? Are you some kinda weirdo standing outside my door to scare the bejesus outta me!?”

He smiled, let out a slight giggle and replied, “Was just about to knock. They gave me some of your mail”. 

He handed me a few bills.

“Oh, well, then thanks”, I said. Took the bills and tossed them inside before I locked the door.

“Don’t mention it. I heard you talking to your cat inside so I figured I’d just drop by.”

“I wasn’t talking to my cat; I was talking to a friend on the phone”.

“So, you’re going to buy your handsome friend some kitty chow?”

“Um, yes? What’s wrong with that?” I asked awkwardly.

“I talk to Shaggy all the time, Ally.”

We got in the elevator.

“Well, that’s because you’re a lonely miser.”

“Uhuh, and I know a fellow one when I see them.”

“Where are you going this early anyway?” I asked.

“Gym. Then work.”

The elevator opened and we proceeded outside.

“Enjoy you’re manly time with the fellow muscle heads.”

“We’re not muscle heads, cat whisperer.”

“I was on the phone!”

“Sure you were,” he said as he walked away.