He felt outside of himself; it would be wrong to say he felt dead but also false to state he felt alive. A trance of existence surmounted his being, and he traveled along the lonely walkway of the New York streets that summoned him. Could he be sure of his travel? He wondered as he followed the flickering lights of a resting city, asleep yet full of life. He felt a hint of jealously from the towering buildings that surrounded his view, knowing that the lights were more living than he had ever felt.
Maybe that is a lie, for before he could remember his past, he knew of a fleeting feeling that inspired his pacing. However he could no longer replicate it, least not in the alleys of the dimly lit night.
He was not a driver in his life but rather a passenger, following the currents where they would wish to take him. He knew this, and accepted it from his own free will. If you choose to follow, are you being truly taken, or are you leading yourself down a path similar to an apprentice of fate?
A few days ago, he had seen an advertisement in the local paper asking for someone skilled in the art of the paintbrush. He had dabbled many years prior, but had yet to practice his skill for a long while. A long while it was indeed. Yet, he followed his fate to the original lister, not knowing why, but knowing he must go. Taken by a force above himself, he submitted to his travel.
Arriving at the establishment, not unlike a formal diner but not to say a particularly exquisite area, he saw a young man sitting at a table where he said he would be. For some reason, although all this was to be expected, he was taken aback, surprised by the presence of he who he knew would be there. Not to appear lost in thought, he remarked that he ought to sit down by the gentleman.
The man appeared to vaguely recognize him, much to his surprise, as he was not well known to the community in which he lived. Soon the face of a man meeting an old friend had vanished, and he asked him if he was there for the advertisement listed in the local paper.
"yes, that would be why I am here" he replied to the gentleman. His tone was one of gentle apprehension, rightly warranted in the ominous light of the dim terrace.
"we have a unique project that will require someone of your talents. it will prove more difficult than you may have expected, but the compensation is suitable for such a task. when can you begin?" the stranger looked deeply into his eyes, and briefly, he wondered if he could see the disconnect between his soul and his body. quickly, this notion was dismissed as fantastical and he brushed it aside.
"first I would like to know more about the job before I so readily accept, as I am not in the business of working beyond my worth." curiously, the man nodded his head in approval of this statement, as though any other answer would not have been accepted. he was pleased with what he had said.
"I have no quarrel with informing you about the nature of your assignment, however, if I tell you all at once here at this fine diner, you will likely think of me as a madman. as such, I prefer to show you, rather than tell you." the confidence in his voice was powerful, luring one in with deep intrigue. there was nothing he could do to turn down such an inviting and adventurous offer, especially considering he was not at the controls of his own destiny.
"then let us depart" he whispered into the night air of the sleeping city.
