Misfits

He met her at a party. One of those affairs where each of them knew the hostess, but didn’t know anyone else. One of those affairs where you were expected to mix and mingle.

The hostess was a social butterfly. Her loft apartment was chic, elegant even. Some would say pretentious with its native artwork, its artifacts from her travels around the world. He saw a Mayan mask on one wall. A glistening enamel vase sat on an end table. He heard someone say it was Etruscan. He didn’t even know where Etruscia was.

He settled down in an easy chair in a corner. A woman came by holding a tray of canapes and a glass of wine. He declined.

He looked around at the party goers. Gathered together in groups of three or five, laughing, clinking glasses, engaged in idle inconsequential chatter. They all looked so happy. They all looked like they belonged here. So why did he feel he did not?

Two women nearby talked about their favorite movie stars. “Oh, Colin Farrell is so handsome. I’ve seen all his movies.” He liked to watch the occasional movie, but going gaga over an actor or an actress? He couldn’t see it.

A group of four, two men and two women, on the other side were getting into an animated discussion on Donald Trump. Two were solid Trump supporters and two thought Trump was a dork. The male Trump supporter started getting loud. The anti-Trump man got equally vociferous about the President’s faults. The women egged their men on. As for himself - good grief! Do we really need to talk about politics? He was largely apolitical himself. Not worth the aggravation.

Then someone sat down at the grand piano and tinkled out a tune. That’s a little better, he thought. He could listen to music. A lot better than so much blather.

He got up and wandered down the hall to the bathroom. A young woman came out and noticed him waiting at the door. “It’s a lot more peaceful in there,” she said. “Don’t have to listen to all the inane chit-chat.” He nodded and smiled.

He went in and did his business. When he came out she was still there, waiting. “These aren't my people. Want to blow this popsicle stand?” she asked. “I can see you don’t fit in either.”

“I only know the hostess,” he replied. “These aren't my friends. We’re both dressed up for this party. Would you like to go dancing?”

She nodded and took his arm as he led her to the door.

The night was warm and so they decided to walk the ten blocks to a nearby hotel. They took the elevator to the top floor. Down the hall from the elevators they came to the ballroom. She looked up and saw the sign above the door - Under the Stars. “Mmmm. That sounds promising,” she said. He nodded and they went in.

Immediately on entering the grand ballroom, she smiled and nodded. “Yes!” she said.

They really were under the stars. The room had a retractable roof which was now open. It was a clear night and the stars sparkled above. And peeking over the top of one wall was the full moon. “Oh yes!” she said.

They were shown to a table where they each ordered a glass of wine. He clinked his glass against hers. “Here’s to escaping the madness of the crowd.”

“Escape!” she echoed.

On the stage in front was a big band orchestra. They started to play a waltz and he took her hand and led her to the dance floor. There were strategically placed nozzles around the room which sprayed a very fine, almost ethereal mist around them.

He put an arm around her and they danced, a formal waltz. He led her around the dance floor. “It’s like we’re walking on a cloud,” she said. He nodded. "What do they do when the weather’s bad?” she asked.

“Well the roof is a large screen, you see. And they project a video of the moon and the stars on it. A full harvest moon. A huge moon. It’s a movie, not a static shot, so you’ll notice after a while that the position of the heavenly bodies have changed. And occasionally you’ll see a bird fly by.”

There was a loud squawking and they both looked up as a flock of geese flew overhead. “Not as good as the real thing,” he grinned.

“I’m glad you took me here,” she said. “It’s so romantic. So beautiful. And even though there are a lot of tables and a lot of people, it’s just you and me here. Nothing else matters.”

“Nothing else matters,” he agreed. “By the way, I’m Fred.”

“Pleased to meet you, Fred. I’m Sue.”

And he pulled her close and the formal waltz became something more intimate.

And the song is:

Be sure to check out my other stories on Vocal!

• My Favorite ________ – three contestants on a game show compete to make the perfect sandwich.
• The Procrastinator – procrastination may be the death of him yet.
• The Skunk – a story about prejudice and mob mentality.
• What Happens in Paris... – newlywed virgins on their honeymoon have an encounter with a couple of naked strangers.
• Milady de Winter's Ghost – a ghost story with a twist ending.
• The Proposal – a comedy of errors as a man tries to propose to his girl during the Covid pandemic.
• The Chin-up Man - crusading lawyer meets hardened criminals in this story which looks at the differing psychologies of Covid restriction opponents and supporters.
• Blockhead! – a story on overcoming writer's block with a twist ending.
• A Sadistic Tale – a creepy Halloween story with a twist ending.
• The Ugly Duckling - the classic tale retold in the style of Edgar Allen Poe's The Raven.
• Little Red Riding Hood – the classic children's story retold in the style of Alfred Noyes' epic poem The Highwayman.