It is her first time. The man seems uncertain, as if sure that at any time a wall might pull back to show a crowd of laughing people.
“You look stunning,” he says. “So femme.” His hand on the small of her back steers her to the darkest corner of the bar, sits her facing outwards. He hunches across the table presenting a back to the world.
She wants to shrug into her clothes but they give nowhere to hide. The makeup and wig does not disguise her.
The man talks about himself. His questions close around her like strong arms. She laughs even though he is not funny.
She is transfixed, unable to escape. She thinks of visiting the leisure pool as a child, the pleasure and fear of the wave machine pulling her body this way and that.
He has pre-arranged the hotel room. It is stuffy and warm. She does not feel drunk.
She tries not to notice his hand shake as he hands her the large glass of wine.
They both know she is not really a girl.
When he asks her to kiss him she does so because that is what girls should do.
Comments
Highhat | April 21, 2010 - 16:27
Very strong
RachelPatricia | April 21, 2010 - 22:44
Yes, definitely some very strong imagery here, Mark.
I love the idea of the man ...'presenting a back to the world' and of how his 'questions close around her like strong arms'; I love the masculinity these images create. And the part about the wave machine was a brilliant way to portray that nauseating sensation we feel sometimes when nervous, I liked this interpretation a lot :)
You packed an awful lot of drama into so few words without it seeming 'over-done', which I think is quite an achievement and it works so well. I really enjoyed reading this and each line had me inquisitive about the next, well done on the cherry it is certainly deserved :)
Rachel xx
prettypolly | April 22, 2010 - 10:04
Very good!