Like One Possessed
Business is running slow as usual. Sometimes it feels as if I am stuck on the same day over and over again. Miranda, my employee and friend, is in the middle of setting up another mannequin to catch the eye of all the window shoppers. She positions this one in a walking pose with the head bent down looking at a golden watch in its hand. She puts more clothing on it than usual with a top hat and everything, which makes me smile, even if it makes me a little sad too. The door opens and I welcome a woman as soon as she enters. She admires the mannequins, the ties hung on the walls and set on the tabletops in elegant organization, if I do say so myself. Miranda unintentionally pesters her by asking her everything from if she were shopping for a lover, grandfather or even herself. I try my best not to be angry with her, she means well but sometimes I think she scares away the customers. The woman does not end up buying anything. Even so, even so I love this shop. I wish I could share my enthusiasm with the world. It may be a simple store with bare wooden floors, a few tabletops, and pasty faceless mannequins but the merchandise is what matters.
I lock up after Miranda leaves waving and telling me that she is positive tomorrow will be better. I smile and nod because I have to believe her; she and I are the type of people who never give up! Still if things don't change it wont be long before the store closes for good. Sighing, I read the sign over the door, "Mr. Top Hat" it is a childish name I know, but my father came up with it so I left it that way. My boots splash playfully on the sidewalks as I follow a well-worn path back to my apartment. It was a good idea to bring an umbrella to work even if the weather forecast didn't call for rain. As soon as I am in my rooms though I feel a heavy weight descend on me, the happy glow that I try so hard to maintain is beginning to slip. I take off my squeaky boots and place them near the landing. Slowly wandering further in I fall into my old tan sofa and I flip on the television, not really caring what is on, I just wanted to be brain dead for a while.
Suddenly a whimsical scene begins to play and my eyes are glued in an instant.
Crowds of people are standing, dancing, or walking around a pure white room. Everything is white as snow except for the black and white tiled floor and a man. He is dressed in a long black coat that sweeps around his ankles and flutters against tall black boots atop formfitting black pants. The coat has silver patterns on the front with something like a star but unlike any in the heavens. His long hair is pulled up in a tight high ponytail, but two strands stubbornly hang down on either side of his face. He walks down the checkered floor and the people seem to melt away from him. He steps with such purpose and intention that it is absolutely impossible not to stare at him and his eyes. Those dark eyes that are almost hidden by bangs at times shine in that white hall like the darkest nights or the bottom of a grave. I feel my mouth go dry and the muscles in my calves become taut as they grip the edge of the couch unconsciously leaning closer. All at once he kneels in front of a pair of slender legs. These legs obviously belong to a female and an athletic one at that because they are sculpted like a ballerina. She lets him hold her fingers and press the back of her hand to his lips all the while never showing her face. Closing his eyes he kisses her hand in abject devotion and then he gently turns it over bringing her wrist to his nose and giving the slightest of smiles. He slowly removes one white lacey glove touching it to his cheek, before tucking it into a coat pocket and smoothly standing. As he is turning and walking away a sensual feminine voice emanates from the television,
"Experience the innocence of first love, Innocence from Clinique, available in stores now." The promotional words flow in big red letters covering the man until he disappears from sight.
I gape at the screen like a mask with its mouth permanently open. I can only think again once I drift back to earth from whatever cloud, that mans face had put me on. I need him, a way to attract attention. Just who was this guy?
Thanks to the Internet I am able to learn that the man is named Kanda Yuu and that he is currently living in his home Japan. It does not take me long at all to purchase a plane ticket to Japan. That night I had a lot of dreams. In one, I was dancing and everyone I ever cared about or knew was there watching me and laughing in good spirits and then someone I did not know showed up and it made me all the happier.
The next day at my job Miranda screeches at me asking if I have lost my mind. I probably have but it's worth a shot. I would do just about anything to save the shop. I tell her to take over for however long it takes and that evening I begin to pack for my first flying trip, which will be in only three days. I am on a mission to find this Kanda and beg him to be in another commercial advertising my shop. I am certain that he will look spectacular in all the things we've created and such a lovely person must be willing to make a simple, short video and I'll pay him handsomely if he so desires. I will give him all the money I have left because if he is the one in the ad people from all over the world will want to see my store. I have that much confidence in him.