Ep. 3
“Son of a b—Oof!” I cried out as my body, followed by my head, hit the dirt in front of the Gilded Unicorn. I didn’t think I had done anything wrong? I tipped my companion Sharon well for her, uh, time. I know I had a little too much, but they make the best Hawaiian Hangovers I have ever had. Then again, I don’t think anywhere else has that drink on the menu. Absinthe, pineapple juice, and tequila? Who would think?an
I remember smelling the best steak and shrimp dinner ever. I also remember that they wouldn’t give me any. I vaguely remember that those drinks gave me that idiotic courage to barge into the private party where the wondrous platters disappeared.
After that point, I have no memory until now. Aside from sampling the dirt of the parking lot, I didn’t hurt anywhere. I hardly even feel drunk. The clarity of ‘now’ clashed with the haze of ‘before’.
“Ungh.” Yep, that was my wallet, hitting the back of my head. I reached over and saw the receipt inside:
Liquor- $350
Door fee- $50
Entertainment- $2218
What was the last $218 for? I know we agreed on $2000…
On the other side of the receipt was a handwritten note:
Steak and Shrimp party- $218
I hope it was worth the money. I don’t remember. Reaching into my pocket for the car keys, I only feel the key to my room at The Hotel. Grumbling about The Unicorn’s desire to keep me safe after tossing me out of the place, I start walking back in the direction I drove.
“I hope they have room service,” as I realized I was still craving steaks.
Being in town on business, I was recommended to stay at The Hotel while I was here. They had a reputation for being discrete and quiet. The Hotel was a unique destination. I felt that it is not a location that you find, it is a location that sneaks up on you while you are driving and lets itself be found.
The Night Manager was another experience. He didn’t ask for my name, just pointed at a blank ledger that I signed with the name I was using. He slid a plain key across the counter and pointed at the elevator. He never told me what floor, or even what room. He just kept reading the book on his lap.
After I dropped my bag in my room, I set about looking for something to do while I waited for the meeting for which I was in this town. The brochure for The Gilded Unicorn was on the table in my room. It talked about clientele satisfaction was their priority. The pictures implied a wide assortment of services, including food, and I needed dinner, so I went to the Chinese place down the hill from The Hotel for directions. Elegant entertainment sounded like just the thing after the day of travel I had.
As I walked down the highway, I thought back to the bag in my room. It was a good thing that I did not bring it, but I wish I had it for security now. The trouble with this area is that everything is so separated. I did not pass anything between The Hotel and The Gilded Unicorn on my drive there, and it felt like forever. This walk back is going to feel ten times worse.
The sun won’t be setting for quite some time, and the summer weather is warm enough that I won’t get cold in the light jacket I was wearing. I was finding myself walking in the shadows more than the bright sunlight. It was feeling safer and more comfortable. I never was a fan of the light, it made you too noticeable. It became a career choice as well. My meetings were best carried out at night, and my clients appreciated it.
Walking along the road, the shadows continued to get longer. I was starting to become aware of rustling in the brush along the road. Unexpectedly, I found my mouth watering. I know I am hungry, but drooling over a chipmunk or squirrel? That is a bit much. Plucking my phone out of my pocket, I check to find if I had cell reception yet. I lost it when I checked into The Hotel. I guess the area is a huge dead zone? All the forest and such, I assume.
The rustling had been keeping up with me for the last mile, but it suddenly stopped. I stopped as well. Another habit is to know when the forest is silent, you don’t want to be the loudest noise. I slowly and silently stepped farther into the shadows. Reaching for the bag that was not there, I stifled a curse. Something was coming, and I didn’t like my odds. I lowered into a slipped the small knife from its hiding place in my boots. It was not a big knife, but a little “ouch” can still be a help.
After a few seconds, I noticed the smell of some animal near me. Not a big one, maybe a rabbit? Why can I suddenly smell rabbits? What weird shit happened back at The Unicorn that I don’t remember? I held my breath for a couple seconds, and focused. As I suspected, I could faintly hear the animal’s heartbeat. It was very fast. Whatever was around, must be scaring it. I slowly let myself start breathing again. There were no other sounds except from the wind fluttering through the canopy of the trees above. Shortly after, the sounds of the forest picked up. The rabbit scurried away into the forest.
Huh, that’s weird. I swear it was getting darker, but it seems to have gotten light again. With no strange sounds, I stood back up with my knife in hand and slowly continued my walk home. Maybe those drinks were still hitting me? That was the only reason I could think of as to why I was having these new senses.
I knew The Hotel was much closer than this. I don’t know why it is taking me so long to get to the turn off. Maybe I went in the wrong direction? Dunno. I pause to try to find my bearings.
Ha, find my bearings on a forest road that I don’t know? Without a compass or gps? What do I think I am going to do, sniff the air and point like a freaking blood hound?
I snort at the thought, and surprise myself. I can smell Chinese food! It must be from that wacky place near the front of The Hotel! I must be close! I start to jog as my hunger comes full force into my consciousness. I catch the sight of a rabbit peeking through the leaves. I turn to look at it and it freezes. Again silence. Are they being silent because of me? I am hungry, I am not crazy man who chases rabbits into the forest.
The thought makes me laugh. Then, it makes me lick my lips in anticipation. What is going on with me?
A car is approaching! Finally, I can get out of this place and get back to my room and let myself return to normal from whatever is going on here. As I step out of the shadows and wave, the car starts to slow down. Nice to see there are some friendly people out in this world, I think to myself. I smile at the driver in hopes of looking harmless as I slip the knife into my pocket.
With a roar of the engine, the driver suddenly accelerates towards me.
What the hell? I was smiling at him. Are these people so inbred they don’t understand a smile is a nice thing?
I jump into the trees, narrowly dodging the bumper of the car, as it speeds away.
I guess I am going to have to walk after all, I sigh as I orient towards the smell of soy sauce.
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