Page 14 of Perfect Date
“Just wanted you to see a little preview,” he tells the woman joyously.
“Well Teddy’s party is next Saturday. I’m so sorry it’s such late notice. We had a magician booked, but he cancelled at the last minute.”
“That’s too bad,” Eric replies but he sounds anything but remorseful.
“I’d love it if you’re available.”
“I happen to have an opening, so I’m happy to fill in.”
He begins to discuss things such as a fee, where the party will be held, and what time he should show up.
Me? Well, I just continue to stare. What else should I be doing?
Finally, I swallow hard, take a large gulp of my drink and shake my head.
Then I pinch myself.
Still here.
This is really happening.
I have no idea what compels me to do so, but I slowly turn around and look behind me toward the bar and I immediately find Justin’s eyes. He’s staring at our table and his eyes are wide, his fist is pressed to his mouth, and his face is red. He’s clearly trying really hard not to die laughing.
I just shake my head. I know my eyes are wide too and I just simply can’t believe my luck. I mean, everyone needs to make a living, I get it. But, I’m on a date with a clown.
A. Clown.
Suddenly, the movieITenters my mind and Pennywise whispers in my ear his infamous line,“I’ll kill you all! Aha, I’ll drive you crazy, and I’ll kill you all! I’m every nightmare you’ve ever had. I’m your worst dream come true.”
Seriously, truer words were never spoken.
When he finishes the call, I’mstillstaring at him as I watch him remove the wig from his head, the tie from around his neck, and casually place them all back in his bag.
Only the nose remains. He looks at me and smiles.
“You’re… a…”
“Clown, yes. But sometimes I’m also a dinosaur, balloon animal maker, Batman, Pinocchio, and there’s this one time I was a princess, but that’s a long story. I don’t want to embarrass myself on a first date.”
I choke and I don’t know how my cranberry vodka doesn’t come out of my nose. My regular sized nose. “Pinocchio?” I choke.
He shrugs, “It was a favorite story as a child.”
“Wow, so you’re a child entertainer. That’s what you mean by ‘entertainment industry.’”
“Yes.”
“Ah,” I nod and continue to stare. Because he’s still wearing the nose.
He puts some steak on his fork and takes a bite, chewing happily.
Still wearing the nose.
“You got the job,” I say.
“Yeah, it was a referral from a friend and I was hoping I’d get the job. Apparently, this family is part of a large friend circle that has a lot of families with a lot of kids. This is my in!”
“What do you mean?”
