NIGHT CAPS

His late-night ring sounded - wind chimes. Who the

hell wants alarms going off in the dark. Get enough

of that all day. He had a meditation playlist on,

something he often worked to, in this, his late introspective state... Mulling within his medicated, meditative, machinations.

There it was again...was that his cell?… or the organic sound effects mixed into the waterfall and lute serenade, now playing on his headset. No, now

his phone was flashing - "who the hell..." Assuming it was work related, irritated at the interruption and blatant imposition, he caught a breath, to calm him before answering, but the breath was not cleansing enough, as the edge was apparent-

Yes!?

"Oh I'm sorry. Did I wake you? You're angry”, she

responded. He didn't know the voice, but liked the

sound of it.

"No. no… I'm good. Working on

something...awake...who...?

Of course you wouldn't remember...so brief...

I know you? We met?

At the station? Last week...I'm in music...you gave

me your card....you're the designer?"

The music lady. Yes. My neighbor!

Ha! that's me. Can I borrow some sugar?

You took my picture.

I did.

I didn't take your picture...

Because you're shy.

Who had time to try? Besides, I can't look too hot @

6 AM....can only imagine what the shot looked like. That really was unfair.

It was, and, yes, I'm overtly aggressive but that's me

and the business I'm in. Sorry if ... I simply have no

parameters.

I guess not. That’s not always a bad thing. But, now you're calling after midnight on a work night? Did you just random call to chat?...or do you have a gig?…as in, Work maybe?

No gig, not yet, we barely met... but we produce

forty artists, so…

Impressive. In that case, Did you check out my portfolio links?

We did.

We?

It's a big company. The more eyes on your work the

better. That's how it works. Nice work, by the way...

Thanks. I appreciate the exposure. Can I repay

you...personally...? ....buy you drink or dinner....or

maybe just coffee and a muffin? Get to know you?

I regret I have a man in my life already.

If you regret it, maybe you should forget it.

He gives me no regrets, ever. And you're not all that

shy, so don't try to reel me in.

I knew it! It was a lousy picture. Don't judge. I'm much better looking...and charming, in the evening. So please delete it! Don't want your man to see it! Big

Trouble….

Yes he is, but We do not mess with each others

devices.

You don't share?

There are devices we share because they are

meant to be shared, but we do respect the other’s

private devices.

Unless invited...

Exactly.

Well, then I demand a re-shoot. Please. Before

somebody sees it.

Someone already has. She's with me.

Is this a joke? Are you toying with me?

No we're not. 'She' was the 'we' I was referring to.

She's the Head of Visuals, so I mentioned you

over drinks tonight. She wanted to see your picture.

No! You showed her!? See...?!

Relax. I told her you were 'interesting...'

Interesting?

She liked what she saw....(surprise, surprise). So she

came up and we checked out your portfolio online.

She like my work?

Hold on. 'You like his work?" She just smiled and

said ahhhh-huh, and She's still smiling!

She's at your place?...now?

That's right.

You're in the south tower?

Yes.

Facing which direction?

North.

Huh...

What's that?

I'm in 'the North'...facing south.

What floor?

Twenty two...

Eighteen...

Your lights on?

No. .... Just a work light, rest of the place is dark… what about yours?

Oh yes. We're standing, looking out, enjoying the view and our Night cap.

What's your friend’s name?

"Monica" the new voice chimed in.

Hello Monica.

Hello Darren. I must admit, you two are confusing

me with the north-south talk. Carla what building are

we talking about?

The one facing you Missy. You don't need your

glasses, it’s a big building...

Right there? So close?! That's unreal!

I know. Darren turn your lights on-and-off for us so we know where you are.

They are – just flipped them on.

Didn't see it. Are your drapes drawn?

They are.

Care to open them and let Monica meet you from

across the way?

Sure, okay. Here you go....

OH My!

Well LOOK at you Mr. Portfolio!

Sorry ladies, this is how I work...and relax..

You mean that's relaxed ?!

I can't deny you ladies didn't arouse my curiosity…

Clearly.

Definitely. I think I'd like my glasses....

Good thing my man's not here...mmm.

Have you always been an exhibitionist, Mr. ...?

Mykowski. Darren. Never. So now what?

What 'what'?

I'm standing here on exhibition for all to see...

Yes you are.

Indeed.

So would you ladies like to join me?

No way are we coming over there. We don't know

anything about you!

Am I hiding anything? Here, allow me to twirl

around...am I hiding anything?

Nothing obvious. And, you should stop twirling...it's

strange and people are watching.

They might think...I dunno...I...oh, my! … Mr. Mykowski, must you?!

Somebody join me! It's quite liberating!

No way, not me. What...?

In that case, Carla, leave the room.

Are you serious?! You are one kinky bitch missy!

No one hears about this...

Never.

So please...leave. Allow me to draw the drapes for a

moment, Darren. Stand by.

I am standing.

You certainly are. I will be right back.

The window went dark, but only to be lit a minute later, and there in the light doing a naked handstand with long legs extended on the horizontal she balanced steady and turned slowly. Darren let out a barely audible, ohhh.

Awfully quiet. You there, Darren?

Nowhere else I'd want to be in this moment – so gymnastics, huh?

Ballet.

She then bent and rolled gracefully into a full stand,

before raising one leg vertical... up over her head, toes to the sky, with nothing to hide.

I ... You are very talented...I won't embarrass myself

by trying that and falling on my ass..I suddenly feel I need a fig leaf...oh, wow! Cartwheels! Can we meet? I

mean...

You were right Darren. This is liberating, isn't it?

...a date?

This IS our date Darren. I've never done or felt

anything like it. I want to do it again...and keep

doing it.

Wow, how can you do that behind your head? That's

impossible! We need to get together! Please Monica

you're killing me!

There's a lovely tension going on here, don't you think? Ever felt this tension before, Darren?

No. Never.

Exactly.

C'mon!

Don't beg or demand or you'll ruin it, Darren. Enjoy it and work on yours!

What?

I want to see what you can do...how you do it...next

time, Darren, surprise me.

Next time?

We'll call you.

WE?

That's a distinct possibility, if I know Carla.

That's crazy.

Goodnight, Darren.

The window went black. Darren is left holding

his....pose.

So began the midnight rendezvous. Monica would

become an eager weekly partner, so graceful and

creative, whereas Carla, once she joined, and felt the urge, was less predictable, less pliant, more stationary, but made up for it with some blatant hedonistic heat. Carla's boyfriend even gave it a try on one occasion. I would guess it was at her urging, because he left in a huff, not finding 'the fun' in the game. There was no joy in his performance and Darren was relieved not to see the big dude nude, and hoped never to meet him on the street. 

Carla and Monica did a duet that he'd never forget.

Then other rooms started to light up, different nights.. one here, one there. They came on randomly - old folks, young ‘marrieds’ in consummation, same-sex couples...some kinky, some flamboyant, others, clumsy, flabby, tight, shy, or self-gratifying, and one very angry...all nudes in the cubes, baring, daring, the anonymous night eyes upon them.

See me! 

We all saw.

When the day was finally arranged and Monica and I met in person, it was pleasant and polite. We blushed and laughed with our shared intimate knowledge, yet quickly came to realize how much we didn't know...strangers face-to-face in the sun - different people - different light - different voice - and the eyes, they spoke. The 'liberation' was over, leaving only  reality and barriers, between us. Fantasy had died somewhere in-between. I could sense her shame, or was that her disappointment in me?

We never saw each other again.  My portfolio was discarded with the lust - no further word. But I did receive several options 'out-of-the-blue'....and oddly enough, nothing stopped Carla, me, or any of the others from perpetuating the ritual. In fact, on some nights, the numbers are down-right conspicuous!  

Wait...sorry...I must stop as I write...another story beckons, as yonder shines a new light.

V