Read up on preceding events in previous episode: ‘Rise and Shine‘.
06:22
With a damp towel wrapped around my waist, I slide my feet back into my now-a-little-bit-less-cold slippers and make my way out of the bathroom. I pause in front of the mirror again. The shower did not have the desired effect; still there’s two apathetic eyes staring back at me. Note to self; repeat previous note to self to emphasize its importance; Less alcohol, more sleep and…. more sleep. Current energy-level is dangerously close to the lower limit. Worrisome I question my future capabilities to find myself waking up and muster the strength to get out of bed at all. I yawn deeply. At least I’ve been able to keep my body in shape. Frequent exercise is one thing I’ve fortunately managed to sustain quite well over the past years. A necessary good. Compensation for the many vices to which I expose my body as a greedy consumer. The protagonists in this little play being coffee and beer. What better way to eviscerate the healthy benefits of regular work-out than with excess caffeine and gluttonous calorie intake? Still a fundamental necessity though; sports. As soon as I sit still for several days I start to feel trapped. The effects of self-chastisement start building in my body. Not for long they’ll scream for a way out its shell. Side-effects: physical unease, annoyance and a very short fuse that will become my loathed companions for the day. Thank god I don’t smoke...
A masochistic weekly routine of kickboxing, weight-training and running means I get to keep my sanity. For a little while longer at least. Inside the closet door I hung my training schedule to remind me, early in the day, in what way I will pay for my sins later that evening. It appears to be an eight-K run. Can’t wait.
Next stop; getting dressed. I make way towards the walk-in closet. As I enter the narrow corridor a series of LED’s in the ceiling light up in sequence. All the way to the back wall, twenty feet away. Quite futuristic. When designing the interior of the condo I was aiming for cool movie appearance. Similar to an action film of some sorts, where the superhero gets presented with an ample arsenal of weapons he gets to choose from. Like James Bond or the Neo. Right before going into battle. I figured that going to work is kind of similar to going to battle. Minor difference though; my dresser is not filled with weapons and armor. But I guess that may be for the better. A scene from Oceans Eleven pops into my head:
Linus Caldwell (Matt Damon):
“Are you suicidal?”
Rusty Ryan (Brad Pitt):
“Only in the morning”
So yeah, I’ll just stick to clothing.
I pause on the left side of the ceiling-high graphite colored oak wardrobe closets. Slowly I wave my hand in front of a small red round patch. With a soft beep the red patch turns green. I experience a small spike in my energy level as the door slides open. Man, I love motion sensors. No way I would have had the doors of the wardrobe tainted by shiny handlebars or ugly door-knobs. Routinely I make my way across, opening several doors on either side and gather my days attire. With the clothing draped over one arm, I head out. Waving my hand across all the sensors again, after the similar beep they turn red again. The doors shut behind me. At the end of the corridor I snap my fingers to see the LED-lights from all the way back of the corridor to just above my head, dim. One by one. Man, I love them sound sensors too.
You’ve been hit by,
you’ve been struck by
a smooth criminal.
Smooth Criminal – Michael Jackson
06:45
Staying true to my “healthy” habits I walk out the door without having breakfast. Well, semi-true; I had a coffee after all. I notice the elevator has to arrive from the ground floor. In the rat-race that is life there’s obviously no time for that. So I opt for the stairs. Rushing down the five flights through the stairwell box I get a first glimpse of the weather outside. Clear and sunny. Lovely. I continue through the lobby and out the front door. The doors automatically shut behind me. Early morning sunlight shrouds the street in the glow of the golden hour. I breathe in the fresh ocean air.
As soon as the financial means permitted me, I left my city-center condo to move to the beach. The apartment had been thoroughly renovated before I manifested myself in one of the most beloved neighborhoods of the city. My street runs parallel to the boulevard, and the view from the fifth floor is quite attractive, to say the least. Within crawling distance of the beach, city center, and subway connections, it was no surprise I saw a massive wad of Benjamins fly out the door soon after I penned down my signature on the lease. Briefly reminiscing the joy I felt this morning when I was getting dressed like a movie-star, I discarded that thought. You can’t really put a price on the comforts of a great home, right? The register for any vacant slots in the block had of course been jam-packed. No chance for anyone to get on that waiting list.
Anyone?
No.
Me?
Different story.
Time to make some magic happen. Fortunately I have friends in high places. Friends that owe me favors. So after pulling the right string, over-night I’d seamlessly found myself leveraged to top of the list. A tiny shred of consciousness briefly wondered about the poor chap whose place I’d clearly taken. But then I decided that ignorance is bliss, and that I would not ask my friend the realtor, any questions about the other applicants. Out of sight, out of mind.
I head towards the subway station. It’s going to be a warm day. Not a cloud in the sky. In the corner of my eye I see my upstairs neighbor approaching. She’s jogging and heavily invested in something on her smart-phone that she has strapped to her arm. She doesn’t see me. Mid-thirties. Very fit. A true sight for sore eyes. I have to give it to her; she plays her part well. Her clothing leaves little to the imagination. Tight bright-red halter top. Shiny tiny black shorts that accentuate her tight bottoms. Flashy trainers and a slim black headband. All her clothing parading the logo of the brand named after the Greek goddess of victory. Mental note: brand-consistent. Tiny droplets of sweat glisten on her forehead and in her eyebrows. Her dark hair is tied into a long braid. She slows her pace and comes to a halt several feet away, panting softly. After tapping several commands on her smart-phone, she pulls out her earphones and finds me looking at her, amused. For a split second I see her eyes widen. Then she’s back.
“Morning neighbor. Ready for the day?” With gorgeous deep blue eyes she gives me a confident smile. I already admire people who can put themselves to physical exercise in the morning, but combined with an appearance like that. Nope, that does not leave me unaffected. I’m aware that I let my eyes linger on her athletic body far too long, but can’t restrain myself. Time for some witty comeback. My lips curl into a boyish grin. “If I wasn’t yet, than most certainly am now”. She tilts her head, and pauses for a second as if she’s making up her mind about me. Apparently I’ve passed her test, because she winks and starts walking to the entrance of the apartment-block. Almost as if she knows I’m still watching her, right before she walks in, she quickly looks over her shoulder. “See you soon neighbor”. And then she’s gone. Did I mention she was fit yet?! My. God.
I sigh, turn around and make way for the office.
You spin me right round,
baby right round,
like a record baby
right round, round round
You spin me round – Dead or Alive
