Blind Date

The television is quietly murmuring in the background, while Maria stares at a web page, checking profiles on her laptop. A news bulletin flashed across the tv screen. Maria grabs the remote increasing the volume. “Good Evening, the notorious serial killer, ‘The Carver,’ has struck again. A corpse was found beheaded, under a bridge, on the outskirts of town.” The pictures on the tv screen show the location with a white tent covering where the body was located. A news reporter questions the chief of police while holding a microphone up to his face. He answers, “We have reason to believe this is the work of the serial killer, ‘The Carver.’ The victim, discovered by a dog walker; had a number ten carved into its chest. We have a team searching in this vicinity for clues.” The interview is cut short, the camera returns to the newsreader.

Maria lowers the volume and continues scrolling down the list of photos of available contenders on the dating page, checking the information under each one before choosing the appropriate suitor. Out of fifty reasonable-looking guys, she selects ten. Each guy chosen had specific statistics, blue eyes, a good body, and normal eyebrows. Not too close or far apart. Guessing the type of man that had a joined brow would want to eat her liver with a nice Chianti; the other, an alien, wanting to take her to his planet to probe or impregnate. Maria’s imagination could run wild. But if it is a case of staying alive, then she can afford to be fussy.

Positioning her laptop on the sofa, she goes in search of a bottle of Merlot she had stashed away for special occasions. It was sat on the top shelf, which she could not reach. Next to another bottle of red and a box of assorted chocolates. She grabs a foldaway stool from the side of her refrigerator and steps on it, balancing carefully. Unsure if it could hold her weight. She was not fat, just fluffy, and big-boned, which is what she amusingly wrote in her profile on the dating site. Maria retrieves the bottle of Merlot and the box of chocolates. Then stretches to another cupboard, for a stemmed glass. Placing everything on a small tray and returning to the sofa.

While scrutinizing the images, she leans over her laptop, grabbing the bottle pouring red wine into her fluted glass and takes a sip. “Ding!” One of the suitors from her list had responded. Quickly, she returns the glass then clicks on the page intrigued to find out who ‘dinged’. The invitation reads. “Hi, my name is Jack. Would you like to meet up?” she instantly checks his profile picture, approving she replies. “Hello Jack, I would love to meet up with you.”, she hovers her finger hesitantly over the enter key, then, she presses it. “Ding!” she jumps, stating. “That was quick!” And reads his response. “As we both live in the neighbourhood, we could meet at ‘Mickey's, say 7:30 Pm. Tomorrow? He sends a photo of Mickey’s bar and an acceptance box to either cross or tick.

Maria admires the boldness of this man. So, taking in a deep breath, she states, “To hell with it.” And puts a tick in the box. Almost immediately after she clicked; another message appears. “I will be wearing a salmon shirt and drinking a glass of red wine.” Maria chuckles. “Coral is so dated.” The information pops up on the screen; with an option to add it to her google calendar. So, she adds it. Satisfied with the result, she pulls down the lid of her laptop and drinks her wine, while selecting a toffee covered in chocolate. Happily, she squeals, “I have a date!”

The next evening. Maria is deep in her wardrobe throwing clothes onto her bed, trying to find the perfect outfit. Pulling out a stunning red number that had a split up one side and an exceptionally low neckline. “That one says, too fiery.” Then she drags out a blue suit. “That one is too dull.”, “Ah, the little black dress, perfect!” And throws the winner onto the bed. The shoes and the bag are the easy part, all black. She checks her watch. “Time to get ready.”

Before leaving she checks her reflection in the long mirror by her door, “You are looking good.” Her brunette hair is in a do-up twist. The black dress shows off her tanned legs. She applies more lipstick; the red shade brings out the brown in her eyes. Grabbing her jacket and her keys; she leaves for her date.

Mickey’s is not the first place Maria would have chosen. Dark areas, with diminutive cubicles; too shady for her. When Maria arrives, she opens the door; the heat of the room causes her face to redden. Jazz music quietly coming from the bright colourful jukebox playing in the corner. Glancing around, she sees the bar which has an illuminated colourful neon sign above saying ‘Mickey’s. The bartender is busy serving customers. There are silhouettes of people hidden away in cubicles. Nervously, she walks up to the bar and smiles at the guy making cocktails. He smiles back, saying, “Can I help you miss?” Viewing the array of bottles attached to the wall, some of which contain her favourite tipple. “Hmmm, I would like, erm, er, a glass of Merlot please, and make it a large one.” The bartender turns and grabs the bottle of red wine and a large- stemmed glass and begins pouring, almost to the rim. Maria takes her drink and pays. Then rests on a stool, casually glimpsing around the room.

Before taking a sip, she holds the drink up to her nose and breathes in the aroma of red wine grape. Then by lifting the glass to the light, she rotates the drink, making the liquid swirl around the inside. which leaves an invisible trail. The velvety texture gave the appearance of blood, ‘an ideal drink for a would-be vampire.’

Closing her eyes for a second, Maria's transported to a forest, with the sun shining through the branches with birds singing in the trees. In the center of the wood is a shimmering blue lake, which mirrors the patterns of the clouds in the blue sky. For a second, she floated on cloud nine, then as the rich liquid glides down, caressing her throat. She opens her eyes. The fantasy has gone, and she is back on a stool in the shady bar, ‘Mickey’s.’

Resting her wine glass on the counter; Maria observes a man sat alone at a table, also drinking wine. Without thinking she walks over to him. Spotting his pinkie-coloured shirt , although the neon lights diffused the shade. Taking a deep breath, she spoke, “Hi, I’m Maria, are you, Jack?” He looks up, his eyebrows are not close together; or too far apart. He smiles, replying. “Hi, yes, I’m Jack.” And stands to greet her. With his tanned hand, he pulls out the chair opposite. Maria cannot believe her luck. He is more impressive up close, and when he spoke, she could see he had a film star smile. Now she is in heaven. He shows off his pearly whites, beaming, “I see you are drinking red wine; it is my favourite too.” Madeline repeats hypnotized, “Yes, it’s my favourite too.”

The date got off to a great start. This man could easily be her soul mate. They chatted back and forth all night. They were laughing, joking, and drinking continuously. The evening flew by, it was 11:30 PM. The bartender rang the bell for the last orders. They knocked back the remnants of Merlot left in their glasses. Maria puts on her jacket. Jack asks, “Did you want another drink?” Maria shakes her head, slurring, “No, I have had quite enough, thank you.” They both leave, holding each other upright. Jack says slurring. “Let me walk you home, do you live close?” Maria beams, “You are quite the gentleman. I live just on the corner of 12th street.” Jack puts his arm around her waist. Maria giggles.

As they approach her home; She begins the search for her keys, accidentally dropping her bag to the ground. They both try to retrieve it, banging their heads together, falling, and laughing. Regaining their balance, they climb up the steps to her dimly lit front porch. Leaning on the door frame, Maria miserably attempts to slot the key in. Jack laughs, and she hands him the keys. Saying, “Okay, smartass, you have a go.” Sniggering, he opens it on the first try. Pushing on the door at the same time, they fall in and land on the mat. They find it highly amusing, lying on the floor.

Maria scrambles to stand and heads for the kitchen in search of the wine she saw earlier. Jack joins her in the kitchen, flinging cupboard doors open. Questioning, “What are we looking for?” Maria, on her tiptoes, pulls the wine bottle out and shows it to Jack, throwing him a devilish grin. “This!” Jack retrieves a stemmed glass from one of the open cupboards. Both aim for the living room.

Maria pulls out the cork, pouring the red wine into Jack’s glass. Utilizing her fluted one from earlier, Maria carefully measures between the two, filling each one to the rim. Intoxicated, she raises her glass above her head, stating. “Thishs has been the most perfect firsht date I have ever been on.” Jack agrees. “Here here!” Maria adds to the toast giggling, “I thought, you, were, ‘The Carver’.” Jack gives her a cheeky grin, teasing, “Maybe I am.” Then winks. He knocks back a whole glass of red wine and then collapses.

While in a drunken slumber, Jack has a strange dream, a nightmare of being held down by an invisible force. Many hands appearing grabbing his body from every angle. The reality of the dream made him jolt and awaken.

A bright light shining from above causes him to squint. He attempts to hide from the glare, but he is unable to move, his arms and legs are tightly strapped to a cold metal table. Fear begins coursing through his veins. He tries to speak. But there is a gag tight around his head covering his mouth. He can hear music eerily echoing around the room, a 1959 song, ‘Put your head on my shoulder.’

A figure comes into view, swaying to the music and humming. It is a woman, and she appears to be talking to herself. He can barely make her out, the light is too bright. The figure draws near, it is Maria. She is having a conversation, with herself. “Amy, I told you, 60 drops of valerian!”, “I did Maria!”

“Look! He is awake!” and she glares at Jack. Maria bows her head apologizing. Then raises it speaking in a more confident tone. “We shall rid the world of the blue-eyed demons!” she screams manically, “Yes!”. Maria turns facing the table, then looms over Jack holding a scalpel. Shouting in a deeper voice, “Make the mark!” Maria brings the blade down to his chest.

Jack starts to breathe heavily, then lets out a muffled shriek as Maria digs in deep, carving a number '11' into his skin. Jack moans; sweat building on his forehead. Feeling the warmth from his blood trickling across his chest. Maria removes the scalpel and turns away, still arguing with herself. Jack breathes heavily, hurting from the deep wound. The psychotic woman returns holding a longer blade, which shines as she twists and turns it hypnotically. Fear grows in her prisoner’s eyes, watching, as Maria raises the blade ceremoniously above her head. A muffled scream rose from the captive. “No!” She plunges it down deep into his abdomen. Jack grunts, as the sharp steel blade, penetrates his body, feeling his life fade away. While chilling sounds echo around the room of Hysterical laughter and 1950’s music.