"The Comfort in Being Sad"
by Michael Dell

CHAPTER SIXTEEN  (First Trip to Twilight Zone - Michael and Mel)

It took five shots of Jager and a Manhattan to get him through the doors.  He wasn't even sure
she'd be working.  She told him Friday.  It was Saturday.  He couldn't get any of his friends to
go with him on Friday.  The potential crowds of opening night scared them off.  And he couldn't
go to a dance club alone.  He couldn't go to a dance club sober.  That's why they had to stop
at Wild Wings first.  That's why the five Jagers and one Manhattan.  

He paid the cover charges for his friends.  They didn't like dance clubs either.  It was the 
least he could do for their sacrifice.  It was very crowded.  Probably no different than 
opening night.  It was the first dance club he had ever been in.  He was hoping it would be 
the last.  The lights were dim, the music was loud, and walking space was limited.  
Bodies everywhere.  He forced his way through the horde.  He passed one fully-stocked bar.  
Kept going.  He was looking for someone. 

More bodies.  Pushing.  Pulling.  He wasn't nervous.  He had five Jagers and a Manhattan.  He
drove forward.  He knew his friends were behind him.  He discovered a second bar.  A wall of
empty tables was behind it.  Then he saw salvation.

She noticed him first.  Her voice drew his eyes.  He almost didn't recognize her.  She had her
hair down.  He had never seen it down.  It was always pulled back in a ponytail.  Now it was
down.  She was happy to see him.  She was carrying two beers.  They had to scream to be heard
above the music.  He said he'd be over by the empty tables.  She nodded and continued on her
way.   

He reached his destination.  He secured two tables in the back corner of the club.  It was
peaceful along the walls.  No crowds.  His friends joined him.  They all smiled at his expression. 
She arrived.  She asked if they wanted anything to drink.  He declined.  She guessed he had
already been drinking at Wild Wings.  His friends ordered some beers.  The bar was only five
feet away.  She got them anyway.  Said she'd be back.  His friends drank their beers.  He sat and
smiled.  The others left to see all the club had to offer.  She had been gone several minutes.  He
thought this would be the test.  He was alone.  If she really wanted to talk to him, she would
come over now when he was alone.  He couldn't see her.  He started to doubt himself. 
Maybe she didn't like him?  Maybe he was imagining things?  She was there.  She smiled at him. 
He smiled at her.  They made each other shy.  Music was loud.  Hard to talk.  She said it was her
first night.  She didn't expect to see him.  They smiled.  Work called.  She said she'd be back. 
His friends returned.  They had seen her on the other side of the club.  She had asked them where
he was.  She had asked about him.  He smiled.

She sat with him and tried to talk.  They both complained about the club.  He said he hated it. 
She said she wasn't sure yet.  He said he hated to dance.  She said she hated to dance.  She saw
no need for waitresses.  The bars were close to everybody.  He offered to order a drink from her. 
She said no.  She said she didn't want him to have anymore.  She said she wanted him sober. 
He smiled.  She wandered away.  Smiling.  His friends all reassured him that he wasn't
imagining anything.  

She was at his table throughout the evening.  She spent more time sitting with him than she did
working.  When the music was too loud to talk, they just sat and smiled at each other.  She was
so beautiful.  Her hair was down.  He was scared she was going to get in trouble for talking to
him so much.  She didn't care.  It was so obvious, he felt like an idiot for waiting so long 
to ask her out.  All that time wasted.  Tonight was the night.  But he had to be careful.  She 
was very shy.  He couldn't force the issue.  He didn't want to scare her away.  He had to 
say something tonight.  

He stayed until closing.  The bright lights came on.  People started to leave.  He told 
his friends to wait for him outside.  He sat alone at the table and waited.  She wasn't long.  
She began to clean the tables around him.  No one sat there all evening.  She worked hard to 
wipe them clean.  He watched her and smiled.  She was so beautiful.  She started to clean 
his table.  

MICHAEL: I don't think I can hang out at this place.

MELANIE: (Placing a hand on his knee) What about Wednesdays?

MICHAEL: I don't know...

MELANIE: (Removing her hand and drifting to the next table)  Yeah, I'm not sure if I'm gonna
be able to stay here either.
   
MICHAEL: I don't always have to see you at work, do I?

MELANIE: Well, we're still gonna go drinking for my birthday, right?    

MICHAEL: Yeah, but couldn't we do other things?  I mean, would it kill you to take my number? 
(flashing a smile.)  

MELANIE: So we can go drinking?  (Laughing, she playfully steps behind him to begin wiping
another table.)        

MICHAEL: (Embarrassed grin) Everything I do doesn't have to involve alcohol.

MELANIE: (Laughing) Yes, it does.  I know you.

MICHAEL: That's a misconception. I'm actually looking for a reason to quit.  (She floats in front
of him.  He punctuates his next statement with a casual touch of her right shoulder.)  Maybe
you're that reason?

MELANIE: I doubt it.  (Her expression changes, she races away, leaving her towel on his table. 
He doesn't worry.  He knows she'll be back.  He watches as she makes one full lap around the
now empty bar, straightening stools as she goes, before returning to him.)  I forgot my towel. 
(She begins cleaning the same tables for a second time.  He smiles.)  

MICHAEL: Are you saying you'd drive me to drink?

MELANIE: (Smiling) Probably.  You don't know me.  

MICHAEL: I'd like to.

MELANIE: You only know me from work.  I'm really weird.

MICHAEL: I don't believe it.  (Prolonged pause)

MELANIE: Well, are you guys going to Wild Wings this Wednesday?  I still have to pick up my
last check.  

MICHAEL: You'll be working here Wednesday.  Remember?

MELANIE: That's right. (Nervous sadness)

MICHAEL: I'll try to come out and see you Wednesday, but why don't you take my number just
in case? 

MELANIE: I'm terrible with numbers.  (Very nervous, reaching for pad and pen from her change
purse.)

MICHAEL: I've already got it written down. (He gives her his business card)

MELANIE: Oh, cool.  (Very shy and nervous)  So I can really call you?  (VERY SHY)

MICHAEL: (Gently places a hand on her shoulder)  Yes.

MELANIE: I guess that's why you gave me the card.  (Embarrassed, goes back to work laughing
and smiling at herself.)

MICHAEL: You know you're the only reason I'd come back out here.  You're the only reason I
kept going to Wild Wings.   
   
MELANIE: You're gonna make me blush.  (Not making eye contact, wiping tables that she's
already cleaned twice.)

MICHAEL: Okay, well, they're waiting for me.  I better go.  

MELANIE: Okay.

MICHAEL: I'll be out to see you Wednesday. 

MELANIE: Okay.  

MICHAEL: Bye.

MELANIE: Bye.  

He never took his eyes off her.  She continued to clean tables.  She was luminous.  Full of
energy.  He almost walked into a wall.  He looked back to her.  She was still smiling.  She
skipped her way across to the bar.  He left, confident he had never seen anyone so beautiful or so
happy. 



THE END