Short Short - Secret Door

Jackie fumbled in her purse for her compact mirror. She checked herself out, to see if her makeup was ruined, since she rushed out her flat. That was very unlike her, but being forgetful could result into major conflicts. The tickets to the wine tasting event would go to a waste if she was late, and she worked hard to get them. At the time, receiving wine tasting tickets weren't expected, but tickets to the fashion gala. Yet, she made do with what she received.

Eyeliner not smeared, check. Lipstick still the dazzling tint of pink, check. Mascara darken and added volume to lashes, check.

She pushed the buzzer. "Eric, it's Jackie." She stomped her feet on the mat. The mat, a soft shade of blue, had "Welcome" written on it in a decorative system of flower engravement. Real classic, Eric. Flowers? Are you really into flowers? She laughed at his taste.

As her feet went forward to stomp on the rug, she felt a sharp object coming in contact with the soles of her plum heels. Lifting the rug up, there laid a metallic key, tied with other keys. Picking it up, a jingling sound was created, and she couldn't help but grin. Oh, Eric, that was the worst hiding place of all time.

She inserted the key in the lock, it fell into place. The first attempt was a success. She performed a victory dance in her head.

She climbed up the steps, and she huffed, the stairs felt interminable. How can Eric live here with those mountain stairs? Then again, it was Eric Forman, and he was a peculiar man. Finally, after what felt like decades, she arrived upstairs, and was greeted by an ajar door. She went in, dropped her purse on the table, and went to search for Eric.

Instead of finding him, she saw a locked door. Her fingers worked their magic at the knob: tugging, pulling, pushing. To no luck, the door wouldn't acquiesced to her constant attacks.

"What are you doing?"

She dropped her hands to her side. "Trying to open that damn door? What did you put in there? Seal it with a magical curse? Like voodoo," she grumbled under her breath. "What's in that room? Your sci-fi collection of war dolls and comics?"

He raised an eyebrow at her anger-fused questions.

"How did you get in?"

"The keys." She jingled them. "Hiding them under the mat is very common. Doesn't take a genius to figure that out. You didn't answer my questions!" She glared at him angrily.

"I happen to think that's a good hiding spot." It was stupid to defend his hiding spot, but he felt compelled to do just that. "You really want to know the secret behind the door? It opens the gateway to an alternative world, where people like you aren't welcome."

She smacked him hard across his cheeks. He gently massaged his cheeks to ease the pain. "I see you haven't changed a bit. If you're so inclined, then I've no choice to let you in my most prized possession."

Prized possession? What the hell is he talking about now?

Eric left and returned with a special set of keys. As the key was inserted, the lock turned around and made a creaking sound. Her eyes took in the sight before her, it was a wine collection. Eric collected wines?

"After the divorce, I busied myself collecting some of the best wines. I started out cheap." His words held a proud feel. "That's why I was so thrilled when you invited me to the wine tasting event your boss was hosting."

Her hand rimmed around the bottle. "Is this a 1978 Giacomo Conterno Monfortino?" She gasped. "I don't really know a great deal about wine, but my boss loves this one."

He laughed and stated, "Yes, that's the one. It's blended with lovely Nebbiola grapes, and has a lovely texture of dark fruits."

"Where is the Eric Forman I grew up to hate?"

"Still here, just has different taste now. The nerdy universe is still here. What 'bout you? Considering, you asked me out."

"Oh Forman, don't take comfort in that. I'm nonetheless the same 'ole Jackie, who loves to kick your ass."

That's right, Forman, take that in, Jackie laughed.

"I knew it was too good to be true." He sulked.

She sighed before continuing, "I'm sorry about the wine incident last week."

"Jackie Buckhart is apologizing? Isn't this something?" He laughed. "Why don't you stop with the "Forman" name calling."

"It's too good to give up. But since we are seeing each other and all, I could drop it. Yet, I simply don't want to." She paused, a smirk on her face. "Forman, how about we cancel the wine tasting and have one of our own? It's practically the same thing."

"Eric sounded so good, rather than just Forman."

"So, what do you say, Forman?"

"I don't know, these wines are very dear to me. I can't waste them like that. I want to cherish them for a long time."

"Forman, if you don't do it, I'll make your day very miserable." There was an evil glint in her brown eyes.

"Threatening is really outdated. Even with that, I guess I've no option but to give in." He sighed.

"Wait until I tell Donna about this."

"Wait, I thought we decided to keep quiet around this whole relationship thing. You know, until we are really certain this is going somewhere."

"Sure, whatever you want, Forman."

"Quit the "Forman" name-calling. It's getting very old."

"Forman, Forman, Forman. I can say it as long as I want," she teased.

"Stop it."

Wine tasting will have to wait until she drops the name-calling, Eric thought, if there was ever a slight possibility of that happening.