The Red Door

“You’re staring, “ she said. “And what if I am,” Amelia replied. “You may be forced to try it then!” she emphasized. Amelia had a herd of acquaintances, from work or from school but her confidante was Dina. Both Italians, both strong-minded and both adventurous eaters. This is where it brought them, the local Japanese restaurant. Another moment where both of them were glued to the front window watching people feast on plates filled with colours and shapes. Never had either of them thought that they should enter, just the thought of the food was enough to get them to plan what they were going to do when they did pass through the big red door.

The Red Door. This was what all the restaurants used in the area. No one tried a different colour or even a window, just a solid, red door. Sometimes there would be a number, or there would be a couple of posters stuck on with old tape. One door could not be distinguished from another.

Amelia had noted its location and grabbed Dina’s arm, “we need to get back to work or that might be our future employer!” She said in a half whisper as they both bounced across the street before the lights changed. They ran down the block back to the office before pausing as they reached the clear door marked with a green logo. Dina took a breath, fixed her skirt and proceeded to face Amelia with the best stern expression she could come up with. “Listen you,” she started “we have got to set a plan to get into that restaurant. What else are we waiting for?” Amelia replied instantly, “an invitation!” They both knew that they could not just waltz in and twirl into their seat. You had to be invited.

“We still need a plan. There is no reason we cannot figure out a way to get an invitation.” Dina was the strongest of the two of the women but she was not a great planner. When they met five years ago, it was on a business trip to Houston and they ended up lost looking for their hotel. She said she had a plan then too.

“Let’s just get to work and we can plan something when our minds are focused, Dina”.

“Fine but do not forget, my mouth is watering already!” she replied as they pushed through the door and headed toward the elevator. “By the way,” Ameila started before making a ballet-type turn to complete the thought. As she did that, her leg smacked the side of a large thigh that was making its way to that same elevator.

SMACK! The sound that reverberated through the corridor as foot met leg. “Wooft,” Amelia exclaimed as she met the eyes of a tall and sturdy man. “Eeee, sorry. Did that hurt?” she asked the concrete titan. “Nah,” he replied, “happens all the time. A woman does a pirouette before my eyes and nails me in the leg. Typical Thursday.”

Dina stood there with her mouth in a semi-smile. Amelia could not think of a thing to say and turned to enter the elevator when the “ding” announced its opening. Facing the silver wall, she could not turn around. She knew he was right there and what was she going to say?

“Not much to say then?” he continued. “I apologise for my colleague but she gets distracted by large shiny walls.” Dina tried to get Amelia to react while poking her in the ribs. She would not budge. Another “ding” announced the door opening and Dina grabbed her friends arm and pulled her out the door. As the door closed, Amelia looked up and looked right into his face. “Amelia,” she said as the doors closed in front of the man’s face. She smiled, what had just happened?

“That was quite a ride back to the desk, hun,” Dina started. “Let hope you don’t run into him again,” she finished. “Ha, ha, very funny!” was all Amelia could muster. Slowly, she made her way to her desk while waving away her annoying friend. What was she going to say? I’m a horrible person? I meant to hit you? Do you need that leg? Honestly, she thought.

Hours past and the lucky 5 PM approached. Amelia’s thoughts of the titan in the elevator stopped it from being a productive day.

Where do you think he works, she texted Dina.

Where do you think who works? she replied.

The guy in the elevator, she texted back with multiple emoticons for effect.

We can take a ride up the elevator to find out if you want, she replied.

Field trip!, Ameila typed quickly before she changed her mind.

Meet me at the elevator, stat! was the message that appeared.

Amelia grabbed her phone and half-sprinted half-shuffled to the end of the hall meeting Dina right at the elevator. “Took you long enough,” Dina exclaimed with a smirk. “After you,” Amelia replied as they both reached for the elevator button. The doors opened and both ladies entered, almost crushing each other to get in. Dina pressed the top floor and watched the 32 light up. “We might as well start at the top,” she said. “We can work our way down.”

The elevator started its journey to the top with a hum. There was no music and neither girl could figure out what they wanted to say. They stared at the numbers going up, up and up. No one else seemed to need the elevator as it did not make any more stops. A final “ding” and the door opened ever so slowly. One foot forward and then another and both Amelia and Dina looked around. It was one large room with a single desk. Everywhere they looked were windows, from floor to ceiling. Bright lights lit all the corners as the sun was slowly setting for the evening.

“Have you come to finish the job, Amelia?” a voice echoed from the corner. Amelia jumped and Dina let out a quiet little peep noise. They both turned around to see the titan sitting at a desk with nothing but a computer and a large colour painting completing the look. Dina backed into the elevator and quickly hit the down button before Amelia even noticed her movement. She did get to hit the door as it closed shut.

“Eeek,” she whispered as she realised she was facing the door of the elevator all by herself. “I can’t be that intimidating, can I?” came the voice again. Amelia looked down, composed herself and turned around. “No, just unexpected,” she replied as she made her way to the desk in the corner. Each step she took made a tapping noise until she reached the edge of the carpet that connected to his desk.

“Are you all by yourself here?” she asked. “At the moment, yes but it will not be long before there will be people here; from end-to-end,” was the reply as he motioned with his arms for effect. He got up and made his way around the desk to where she was standing. “Miles, that’s my name. Miles.” He extended his hand and waited for her to lean forward to finish the handshake. “Sorry, Miles. I wanted to apologise for my kick. I did not really mean to hurt you.” Amelia added. “Well I think you are going to have to make it up to me,” Miles replied.

Amelia squinted. This was not was she expected. Miles turned around and leaned over his desk to pick up the phone. “Trudy, yes, I need a table for two …. yes …. tonight … at the Japanese place I like .. yes … that’s right …. thank you.” Miles placed down the phone and walked toward the elevator. He pressed the coloured down button to call for the elevator.

“7:30 at the Japanese restaurant around the corner, I will see you there.” He announced just in time for the doors to open. Amelia was still standing there, staring. “Amelia?” he asked. “7:30”, Miles repeated as the doors closed completely.

Amelia was lost for words and lost for a reaction; just lost. Did she just get a date for the evening? This evening? Once the light bulb over her head flashed she realised she had to get home and fast. Running to the elevator, running from the elevator, running to her car and finally running through her front door even before she had a chance to process the day.

Showered, changed and polished. Amelia was ready and heading back to the Red Door. As she put her car into Park across from the restaurant, she paused. She took a deep breath and held it for a moment. What just happened? She turned her head and stared at the Red Door. She started there this afternoon and this is where her day was ending. From the pumps on her feet, to the bracelets on her wrists, everything seemed to feel electric. A smile on her lips, she opened the car door and started walking.

Amelia finally opened that Red Door. The large door seemed lighter than expected and made not a noise when it was fully opened. A lovely woman approached her and smiled. “You must be Amelia, please follow me,” she whispered as they made their way through the large room. She led her to a corner table and said, “Miles will be with you shortly. Please have a seat.” Amelia nodded and sat down on one of the plump chairs at the table and started to remove her jacket. One arm got caught and the button was not helping. “For the love of …,” was all Amelia could say as she got up, flung her arm in air in frustration and smacked Miles right in his his arm. She did that just in time to see a lovely glass of Merlot fly out of his hand and bounce right off his jacket. The splash ricocheted in all sorts of directions. It hit her face, it hit his chest and the glass landed, quietly, on the carpeted floor below.

“That does not taste too bad,” Amelia stammered waiting for Miles to react. A curl of a smile appeared on his lips as he replied, “I will have to order a whole bottle then!” They both started to giggle and assessed the damage from the wine. The lovely waitress came running with club soda and tried to get the stains out but neither of them cared. They were too busy sharing glances while the waitress weaved around them both. Minutes later, jacket removed, Miles and Amelia were finally both seated. One looked at the other, one not knowing where to start with the other. Thankfully a full bottle of Merlot appeared and Miles lifted an eyebrow. “Is it safe?” he asked as he poured the first glass. “We will just have to see,” Amelia said as she lifted the glass to her lips. He smiled and poured himself a glass. Ameila got a glimpse of the Red Door before she smiled back at Miles. Dina is not going to believe this!