Made in Black

Banished by his miserly landlord, Lucien had spent the past few days living astray like a driftwood, washed onto the streets, chatting with fellow drifters, developing a new routine of going to bed without supper. He veered between the streets and the provincial shelter for the homeless as he maneuvered between his two jobs as a line cook and writer.

Though the experiences proved painful, Lucien never forsaken his two treasures, his first-class wit and a little black notebook, filled with thoughts and theories of innovation and artistry.

One day he was taken to the local detention facility for some unseasonable behavior at the supermarket, and there he found himself faced in front of his Uncle Osmond, a man from his mother’s side of the family who he has not seen in ages. He’s a retired police chief and came to rescue his only nephew whom his dear sister left behind.

Stirred by his nephew’s stroke of bad luck, Osmond assured to ameliorate Lucien’s condition. He brings his nephew back and arranged for him to reside in the studio situated on the roof of his home. It is of modest size with furniture consisting of a simple twin sized bed and a desk for writing. As for the kitchen, there is a small gas stove, a sink, and a mini fridge to complete the set. There is no bathroom but there is a stairway hidden away in the back that leads to the main portion of the house. Lucien loves the studio despite the size because of its high ceilings, allowing for good air and a fine view.

In exchange for Osmond’s generosity, Lucien helps his elderly uncle with errands and chores, and keeps the recently widowed, childless man company. Osmond doesn’t ask for much and allows his nephew to spend his time as he wish. The two don’t speak much but there is an appreciation from both characters that can only be felt during quality moments of silence.

One late Saturday afternoon, around 4PM, Lucien threw down his pen and notebook for a refreshing stroll around the neighborhood after hours of sweating ink on his screenplay, Madeleine. As he takes in the busy scenes playing before his eyes, he can’t help but become fidgety as he passed by every person smoking a cigarette. Lucien quit the bad habit when he became homeless, not for the well-being of his lungs but out of necessity to save money for an apartment.

Since he has a place for rest at his uncle’s, he caved into his cravings and stopped by a small shop to buy a pack of his favorite Parliaments. By the time he leaves the shop, a woman dressed in all black appears on a bench across the street. Large black frames hide her face but her subtle movements and behavior gives way of elegance and beauty. Draw to her mystic fashion, Lucien walks towards her to strike a conversation.

“You have quite a look,” Lucien muttered admiringly as he sat down next to her.

The woman in black turns to face him then proceed to take out a cigarette from her large, fittingly black tote.

As Lucien extends his lighter towards her, he says “Grant me the luxury of lighting it for you.”

“Thank you,” said the woman, accepting the light for her cigarette.

“Ah, m’lady,” Lucien continued, “in correspondence of this tiny service, there is a favor I want to ask you to relinquish.”

“And that is?” the woman asked.

Lucien simpered a cheeky smile and replied, “Your name, please.”

The woman rolled her eyes but was none the less charmed by his handsome features and poise.

Rather than giving him what he asked for, she stared him at straight and declared, “Have dinner with me.”

Lucien was taken back by such a bold request of a strange man who just approached her only moments before. Excitement began dancing through his fibers but he contained it well with a broad smile and a deep, lusty response of “My pleasure.”

Lucien stood up and posed his hand palm up in front of her. She grabs his hand and he gently raises her off the bench. She hands him the tote bag to hold for her and they head towards the Italian restaurant a few blocks away. Walking side by side, arms interlocked, the two look like a celebrity pair, receiving glances of admiration and envy as they forge on ahead with their stroll.

The two were seated immediately at the restaurant and were placed by the window to attract attention. They exchanged pleasantries and small bits of information about themselves throughout the night. Lucien gathered the following pieces of details about her: she prefers red wine over white, has an affinity towards high fashion and modern art, and was only visiting town for day on a business trip. Beside those bits, nothing else was given away. Nevertheless, he couldn’t help but be infatuated by all that she was.

Towards the end of the short night as they wait for a cab, Lucien asked once again, “Please, before you leave me to continue on your journey, give me the joy of hearing the heavens smiling down unto me by telling me your name.”

She stared quietly into his eyes then delicately pursed her soft lips onto his before entering the cab and leaving Lucien for the night. Once the cab was out of sight, he directed himself back home. Upon arriving at the front door of his uncle’s house, he realized that he was still holding onto the woman’s tote bag. He loitered at the door, ruminated his options. Osmond stared from the window, wondering what his silly nephew was up to and worried that he may have forgotten his key. He opened the door for him and Lucien stared dumbfounded at his uncle for a moment.

He handed the big tote to his uncle and in confusion, said, “She left this.”

“Who left this?” asked his uncle.

“A woman,” said Lucien.

The nephew went inside and sat on the couch. Osmond followed him onto the sofa and plot the bag between them. After a few moments of silence, curiosity over the contents of the bag rushed over him so Osmond opened it. He stared at his nephew who stared at him back.

In the bag a letter is rested on top of a pile of cash. It reads, "Better days will come for our sweet Lucien and for myself - do not question it, my dear. I place under your name, $20,000 in cash for you to spend it as you wish. My wish is to see your name written in the stars one day and when that day comes, I will appear again. Love, Madeleine."