Author’s note: The following short story is a fantasy based loosely on an incident in a Niagara Falls restaurant. If you want to know what to write about, look around and use your imagination. The world is full of stories. I’m rather proud of this one.
Table for Two
by Solstice
“Excuse me, waiter.”
“Yes, Miss?”
“I... ah... I think that girl’s being hypnotized.”
“Which girl, Miss?”
“Over there. In the corner. Under the balcony. See? See how he’s twirling that shiny thing?”
“Shiny thing, Miss?”
“That... Oh, I don’t know... that thing that sparkles when he holds it near the candle. See it?”
“Yes, Miss.”
“Well?”
“Well what, Miss?”
“Aren’t you going to do something?”
“What do you suggest, Miss?”
“I don’t know. Go over there and stop it.”
“How do you propose I go about that, Miss?”
“Shake her, I suppose. Go over there and shake her.”
“I’m sorry. Miss. It’s against the management’s policy to shake our customers.”
“Look!”
“Look at what, Miss?”
“Look! She’s closed her eyes!”
“That seems to solve the problem about the shiny thing, Miss. Will there be anything else? Dessert, perhaps?”
“You don’t understand. She’s closed her eyes. Don’t you know what that means?”
“She’s sleepy, Miss?”
“No... Well yes, in a way... But no, it means she going under.”
“Under where, Miss?”
“It means she’s being hypnotized.”
“You said that, Miss.”
“My God, who knows what he’s planning to make her do?”
“Not I, Miss. May I warm up your coffee?”
“Look!”
“Again, Miss?”
“Look where she’s letting him put his hand!”
“Yes, Miss. I understand couples do that sort of thing.”
“Oh my God, he’s doing it again!”
“His hand, Miss?”
“I mean he’s using that shiny thing again. He’s pointing it over here! Dear God, look how pretty it is.... What should I do?”
“Enjoy it, Miss?”
“No! I’ve got to get out of here!”
“Yes, Miss. I’ll bring you your check.”
“Don’t go! For God’s sake, don’t leave me. He’s getting up! He’s coming this way....”
“I won’t be long, Miss.”
“Waiter.”
“Yes, Madam?”
“What is that man doing to the girl you were just talking to?”