People of the Mirror

The mirror showed a reflection that wasn't my own. I opened the bathroom cabinet, grabbed the bottle of ibuprofen, put three in my mouth and scooped water from the faucet with my hand.

I said out loud, “I’ll never drink again!”

When I closed the cabinet door, the woman in the mirror laughed hysterically. “Sure you will, you’re programmed to.”

I slumped down on the toilet with my head in my hands, trying to remember the night before. I pushed away the fog and tried to organize the flashes of memories.

My friend, Shannon and I had gone to the grand opening of a new dance club. The pulsating music and the light show were incredible! Drinks were free and served on trays by exotic looking servers on roller skates.

Around midnight, I lost track of Shannon. A woman rolled up to me and I asked if she’d seen my friend.

“Oh, yeah, she’s over there somewhere dancing with a cute guy. Don’t worry, I’ll keep an eye on her.” Then she scolded me for looking too serious and handed me a neon blue drink. “Here, drink this Blue Bomber,” it’s delicious and it will help chill your vibe.”

It was delicious. I thanked her and started across the floor to look for Shannon. That was the last thing I remembered.

I stood up quickly, which wasn’t pleasant for my aching head and queasy stomach. I walked past the mirrored cabinet and the woman in the mirror winked at me. I scrambled to the bedroom to look for my phone and called Shannon. There was no answer.

I looked at the time, “Shit, I’ve got to get to work!”

I crawled to the bathroom so I didn’t have to look in the mirror. I grabbed my makeup bag and toothbrush and took them to the powder room to get ready. I cautiously peeked in the mirror and saw my own reflection. “Thank God,” I mumbled as I quickly got ready. As I was leaving, the mirror started flickering neon blue. I didn’t look back at it.

On the bus ride to work I tried calling Shannon multiple times, but she never picked up.

At work, I went straight to her desk. Her gigantic coffee mug sat empty, waiting to be filled.

“Arlene,” bellowed my boss. “Where the hell is Shannon? She’s got the stats I need for my meeting.

I replied, “I don’t know sir. Honestly, I’m a little worried, she’s not answering her phone. I haven’t seen her since last night. We went to the opening of the new club on Avenue Rd.”

He rolled his eyes. “You girls and your dance clubs, and on a work night! You both should be a little more responsible. I don’t need your data until this afternoon, so go see if you can find her. I need those numbers. Take a cab, put it on the company card. And please remember to call me Ryan, not sir.”

When I got to Shannon’s place, I knocked on the door but there was no answer. As many times as I lectured her about keeping a key under the mat, I was relieved it was still there. It was dark and quiet inside. Her work cloths from yesterday were still on the bed but there was no trace of the clothes she wore to the club.

I walked into the bathroom and saw her reflection in the mirror. “Oh, thank God, Shannon, you had us all worried.” I turned around to face her but she wasn’t there. I turned back to the mirror and her reflection signed her signature rock-‘n-roll salute. Then the neon blue light flickered and Shannon’s face was replaced by the woman from my mirror. She laughed and pointed at me.

I screamed and ran out of the bathroom. On my way to the front door, I noticed Shannon’s briefcase, so I grabbed it. Despite the craziness, my task had been to get the stats that Ryan needed. I’m such a company girl!

Back at the office, I was shaking as I explained that Shannon was missing. I wanted to call the police.

Ryan sat me down in his office and gave me a rock glass containing his best scotch. “Arlene,” he said, “she hasn’t been missing twenty four hours. The police won’t do anything yet.” He patted my hand. “I know you’re worried, so am I. After I wrap up these meetings, take me to the club. We’ll look around and ask questions. Okay?”

I nodded and started back to my desk. I decided to go to the ladies room and pull myself together.

There was a woman beside me washing her hands. She said, “Whew boy, are you drinking at work? Don’t let your boss catch you.” She pulled out a bottle of blue mouthwash out of her purse and poured some into a paper cup. “Here, rinse your mouth with this.”

I thanked her and tipped back the cup. I choked and swallowed it. The woman cackled and climbed into the mirror, taking the paper cup with her. I shuddered and quickly left. I felt tiny electric waves chasing through my body.

I wanted to tell Ryan, I wanted to go to the police. But who would believe that there was a woman crawling around mirrors and tricking me into drinking neon blue drinks? I’d be in a psych ward instead of trying to find Shannon.

The rest of the day I was functioning on a robotic level. Finally, Ryan came by my desk. He said, “Thank you for finding Shannon’s files and working so hard today. Do you want to go home and change before heading to the club?”

I shook my head. “No! I don’t want to go home. Let’s go to the club, now.”

Ryan had his driver drop us off at the club. The music was just starting. Ryan went to the bar to get us drinks. Shannon rolled over in skates. She said, “Hey girl, I’ve been waiting for you. But honey, you are not dressed for this club!”

I was so happy to see her I gave her a big hug. She took my hand and said, “I’ve got the perfect outfit for you!”

I caught a glimpse of her reflection in the mirror, it was the same woman I’d seen earlier. I tried to run but she grabbed my arm.

“It’s pointless, you’ve already had two doses. You’re one of us now.” She poured the blue liquid into a tube. “Drink up girlfriend!” I obeyed.

I saw Ryan standing at a hightop with two scotch glasses. He looked nervous and out of place. I rolled up to him and did a little spin.

He said. “There you are, I was worried. Why are you dressed like that?”

“I’m trying to look inconspicuous, I replied. I reached up, loosened his tie and pulled it off. “Relax and try to fit in.”

He took off his jacket and undid a couple of buttons on his Oxford shirt. “Any sign of Shannon?” He asked.

I replied, “I haven’t seen her, but the hostess says she’s here somewhere with a guy. We’ll find her.” I picked up two shots from a tray and handed him one. “Drink up! People are watching.”

He looked around. “What people? And I’m not drinking that, it’s blue! I’ll stick to my scotch, thanks.”

I punched him lightly in the shoulder. “We’re trying to fit in remember? Besides, its so tasty.”

Ryan shrugged and knocked it back. “It’s odd, but yes, quite good.”

I waited until I saw his eyes flash blue and glass over, then I called his chauffeur to pick him up. A couple of bouncers escorted him out!

I went into the washroom and looked in the mirror. The woman smiled at me and said, “Well done! Your first recruit!”

I smiled back and climbed into the blue glow of the mirror!