Amiably.
Sherry. It was, she said, again, her name. Not short for Cherylynn. Sherry. She has a sister Bobby Lynn and a sister Carolynn. Hyphenated. Bobby wasn't. Or Carolynn. Not a waitress. A creepy man is in my room. I have to share with him. For two nights. Alone.
Generously.
A loner. I offer to help. A swap.
Hopefully.
We might change. Rooms. With me. Sherry and me? Running. Close behind? Creepy? Me?
Apologetically.
The tour leader cannot do. I'm sorry. He's sorry. The moon is in the east. Sherry. Has an idea. Could you? Swap. The party never ends. Some do.
Creepily.
I'm sharing with the creepy man. He's put his cards on the table. He smokes in bed. He is on the bed most of the day. TV on. He sleeps in his clothes. He doesn't shower. Hallo my name is Tim. Your name?
Sequentially.
He gestures washing his hands. He gestures putting food in his mouth. Doctor. A question? No. I am from Australia. Australi? He gestures putting food in his mouth. He gestures washing his hands. Was that the sequence last time? Is it important?
Conversationally?
Doctor. No I am a manager. My name is Tim. Tin? No Tim. I am Mr Chen. Am I Mr Tim? I don't speak English. I don't speak Chinese. I read English. Antibiotic. Doctor. Penicillin.
Lonely?
Planet. Limited. He gestures putting food in his mouth. He gestures washing his hands. The same sequence as last time.
Deliberately.
Coffee. It goes into the mug. He shakes his head. He points to the bathroom. He points at the soap. I wash the mug. Free of soap. I hope. He gestures. Putting food in his mouth. Washing his hands. H1N1.
Unlikely ...
Did he say? ... Austrli? H1N1. Ah. No. I don't think so. At least not when I left. I eat. I shower. He sleeps in his clothes. He doesn't shower. Does he wash? It's time to go.
Thoughtfully.
He rustles. Through the hotel goodies. Shower cap, comb , shower cap, tooth brush, soap. He gives. The soap is in my hand. He gestures putting food in his mouth. He gestures washing his hands. I nod. I agree. I say yes. I say thank you. He's forced me into this.
Medically.
He is a doctor. I've not used the soap provided. H1N1. I brought my own. There is no space. In the bathroom. To leave it. Sherry. She's heading for Shanghai. Main Street? Creepy. He's gone.
Defensively.
I used soap. I showered every day. I washed before I ate. The road goes on. Forever?
Copyright © Timespareimagining 2007-2020