A cold beer in hand, I crashed down onto my computer chair. Thankful that yet another workday had ended. Turning on the computer and quickly hooking up, I was looking forward to some escapism. Little did I know?
It only to seconds to realize that today would not be like the last. My eyes couldn’t seem to focus. The screens glare almost burning them. It was strange to say the least. I even seem to notice what I thought was a red box hovering over the computer screen. It was even pulsating, as if begging for my attention.
I rubbed my eyes and then gulped down another mouthful, laughing at my liquid excuse. It just had to be, didn’t it? I was still laughing inside when the box slowly opened up. No old hinges here, as it opened with nearly a sound.
My jaw dropped in amazement, while being met with the realization that my eyes could now focus. Only now they were focused solely on the opened red box. I was still stunned, but I had no choice but to look now, as somehow it had me in its grip.
When the box opened, it seemingly unlocked a key to my soul. Emotions started flowing like wine. It all started with green eyes staring back at me. A creepy eeriness quickly consumed me. Focusing, my fears realized, they were indeed my eyes looking back at me.
Suddenly the movie Taxi Driver flashed in my head. Not the whole flick, just the part with De Nero and his famous lines, to which I repeated.
Indeed they were looking at me, but it was me, looking at me. Confusion abound, I kept on focusing. Boy did I need a shave, was a strange first thought. More focusing and a painful realization that a few pounds have crept up on me, over the past few. But I was older, not a kid anymore.
“What did father time expect?” I gasped. My voice echoing into my ears. “Wow, is that what my voice really sounds like?” I chuckled.
The green eyes swirled their gaze around the bedroom. Walls, four by four, not walls made up of steel bars, but of Sheetrock, painted gray. A self-imposed prison cell nevertheless. A lone window, which sheltered me from the cold while offering a small glimpse at the world outside that often times left me spinning, darkened.
They focused back on the lonely man, who sat in the corner, staring above the screen, seemingly frozen. Yet a naked woman projected on the screen, doing ungodly things with another, seemingly unfazed.
The sound of music suddenly filled the air. Why were The Talking Heads playing in the background and where was my beautiful wife? I pondered. A painful reminder perhaps at the length of time since a female creature had occupied my time, or maybe more importantly occupied the unmade bed against the far wall.
