Gastronomic Anticipation

          She was having difficulty focusing in the mirror with one eye closed as she applied the hint of pale blue shadow to the other. Exasperated with her make-up, Tina had yet another attempt, but she let out a ghasp of surprise…both eyes were staring back at her, wide open. “What’s going on?�?she stammered.

          “For goodness sake, Girl! Put some colour on me…I’m sick to death of this dowdy image.�?Cried the face in the mirror.

          “I never use much make�?Tina replied indignantly and then realising what she had done, she raised her hand in disbelief, towards the image she had just answered. “I’m hallucinating…what’s the matter with me?�?

            The reflection laughed, a sultry sound, one Tina would never manage to manifest. The face threw her head back, laughing, and tossed a full head of shiny, bouncy locks (which Tina would have died for,) back from the 'almost' image of Tina. “Just call me Anita…your alta ego and boy…do you need me!”Anita looked straight at her and said “Come closer, are you really happy with what you see? I don’t think so!�?With that, two arms suddenly reached out of the mirror frame and pulled Tinas head close to the mouth of this�??

             Just as their lips were about to touch, Tina heard the voice say “Breath in deeply…now!�?There was a strange fusion between their lips and Tina felt a sensation like the prolonged tingling of an electric shock and her lips began to sting, she pulled away, wiping her mouth. Glancing at the mirror she saw only the reflection of the other side of the room. “Where are you?”Tina cried out, and waited nervously.

              “I’m here, Tina,�?the sultry voice came from within Tina’s throat�? I’m here…in your mind, in your body, in your soul and most important of all…in your life and now I will show you how to use it, forever�?Tina felt strangely numb, she had no real thoughts in her head, just a dizziness and she decided to lie down for a while. In no time at all, was sound asleep.

              Darkness had fallen by the time she woke up and she thought �?Mnnn, perhaps I’ll eat out tonight�?She went to the mirror…”My God, I look like death. That god-damned dream has taken all the colour from my face!�?She went to the mirror, she was alone. Picking up her liptick, she dawbed a few spots on her cheeks and rubbed them in, “Now for some on my lips and a touch of that mascara 'I’ve' never used�?A hard cold laugh filled the room as she moved towards the wardrobe. Opening it,  she cried out loudly in disbelief, �?Hell, I know it’s Hallowe’en night, but I hadn’t actually planned to go out in fancy dress!�?

               Something red caught her eye…”Mnnn, possibilities for tonight?�?she pondered and lifting her nail scissors, she snipped at the side seams untill she felt they would show 'just enough'. She pulled at the old fashioned, straight sleeves till they came off inher hand and tidied up odd threads. “That’s better �?she mused as she pulled the flimsiest if strappy fabric down from her shoulders to her upper arms. “A touch of perfume and a flower for my hair�?Turning this way and that, she admired her reflection and whispered to herself, “Now, lets see if I can get dinner out of some poor sucker�?

                Passing a downtown bar, Anita looked through the window. She spotted a likely meal ticket on a bar stool…alone.

               He had the sort of expression which said �?A 'hell of day' that can’t get much worse" But, as he raised his head, "It’s looking better already�?he thought as he caught sight of Anita, draping herself deliberately over the stool next to him and just raising her head slightly to look at him, seductively. She knew so well how to play games for  her supper.

               “Do you have a cigarette?�?she asked him, in a low, slow tone , insinuating she really  wanted more from him. “and a light, I left mine in my apartment�? As he lit her cigarette, she raised her eyes and smiled, “Relax…have you never been propositioned by a spirited woman before?�?The evening developed as one might imagine, but Anita’s hunger was beginning to cloud her patience for his incidental small talk. “Lets go back to my place for supper�?she whispered. His reaction was enthusiastic agreement.

                 It was Oct. 31st and she loved hallowe’en. All that face painting, fancy dress parties and, of course, eating and drinking…yet remembering nothing in the morning. She looked at him closely, “Yes, he’ll do fine�?she thought, with anticipation. In the morning,

                 Tina woke with the most amazing thirst, she also felt quite hungry. A vague recollection of the previous night's encounter remained in her head, but she honestly wouldn’t recognise him again…was he good looking, was his hair fair, what colour were his eyes? Would she ever see him again??? She reached out, opening the fridge, wondering if she should have water or something else to drink.

                 ”My God, he is GORGEOUS!!!�?she cried out, as his wide eyed severed head stared blankly back at her.

                   Her amazement increased, as she found her hand wandering to the bowl of seasoned digits…sitting on the bottom shelf.

(c) ZYDHA HART 2003