A morning’s prerequisite: Pt. 2
I begrudgingly started to make my way toward the sliding doors.
“Crystal”
I looked over my shoulder to see a tall, blond woman in a brightly colored cardigan bent over, shaking her finger over a two and a half foot child. Happens all the time, I must have a common name. The maneuver, however, didn’t prove to be entirely wasted; a few feet to the left of the woman was a nice, new dollar bill seeking refuge under the soda machine. I realize it’s only a dollar, but it’s the principle of the thing. It’s better than a sharp stick in the eye. All a matter of perspective.
Once I retrieved the dollar bill, something odd began to happen. Senses heightened. I became acutely aware of the purgatorial space I was in. Colors sprung to life. Vibrant blues and greens and reds leaped off the soda machine…beckoning for me to join their phantasmal 3-d playground. An assortment of subtle, enticing music melted into a mysteriously invigorating cacophony of sound…talking to me…calling my name. Change sorters, candy machines, DVD rentals…all enchanting me with their delicate, illusory promises of fulfillment.
Charming fragrances drifted carelessly through the air. Sweet, familiar smells like vanilla, fresh baked bread and coffee…hmmm, where was my coffee?
"Come this way…," something whispered in my ear. And I did.
Mountains of shape and indulgent texture gleamed from inside a luminous enclosure. At the very top loomed a polished fixture, whose sole intent is to answer to my whims. Without delay I sacrificed my new possession for the sake of instantaneous gratification. It affords me two shots at it.
Steady, steady…the iron grasp along the ceiling track maneuvers by my command. Now! The metal object descended like a spider on its prey. Only a haphazard attempt to lock on the target leaves me dissatisfied still…and a 50% loser.
Pass number two. More strategic this time. A perfectly planned declension. And an ear! A pink ear is in my grasp, a fuzzy rhinoceros captive. Now, toward the drop. Easy…yes…yes…NO! The rhinoceros has freed himself! And only moments before my victory!
And the music has stopped…where did the colors go? My blissful utopia…my alluring sensory enhancements? I was jarringly returned to a drab purgatory. Returned to the real world! Ultimately now …returned to work.
Where is my mocha?
I found it. Eventually. Violated. Like so much unwanted trash…shoved into a hole and rendered useless. I just stood there, shattered, peering into the merciless refuse.
Someone mumbled that it’s almost 9:00 AM.
You may have won the battle, conniving stuffed animal machine.
But you have not won the war.
Precocious entrepreneur, workaholic and a rabid perfectionist Crystal Starlight knows a thing or two about getting ahead at a young age. Email her at [email protected]