About 8:30 that morning, Grace was puttering around the kitchen of the apartment that she and Will shared, making some coffee. She set the table with a plate of breakfast pastries. Soon the coffee was ready.
"WILL…COME AND GET IT!" she called to her friend.
Will emerged in his robe and plopped in a chair at the table. He took a few gulps of java, when he suddenly realized a few things were missing.
"Where's the paper and where's Jack?" he asked his roomy.
"Oops!" Grace ejaculated. She jumped up to get the paper she assumed was lying in the hallway outside the door. On her way she turned back to Will and said, "Haven't seen Jack since yesterday afternoon. Must've had quite a few curtain calls last night. He's usually here by now."
As Grace opened the door and stooped down to get the paper, her eyes strayed over to Jack's. His door was closed and there was no sound from his apartment, unusual since he was usually up and rehearsing his act or at least scarfing down food in their apartment by now. Grace returned pensively to the breakfast table, still clutching the paper.
"AHEM!" Will interrupted her reverie. She stared at him blankly. "Paper?" he barked holding out his hand.
"Oh, sorry," Grace said absentmindedly handing it to him.
They finished breakfast and got dressed. Jack still hadn't made an appearance. They were starting to get concerned, so the walked over to Jack's flat, knocked on the door and called out to him, but there was no response. Will went back to get the "emergency" key and opened the door. The apartment was dark. Jack's wasn't there nor had his bed been slept in. His friends rationalized that he might have met someone at the club and had gone to stay with them for the night. No use getting bothered about that! They returned to their own flat to spend a relaxing day watching their favorite videos.
Around noon, Jack awoke. He tried to think again who he was. He remembered talking to a young woman dressed in tan. He sat up slowly and rested a few seconds on the edge of the cot. He was still in his shorts and undershirt. He looked down at his bandaged knee and arm and sighed. His head still throbbed. The sounds of rattling dishes and the click of eating utensils issuing from the main room told him that the meal service had started. That's probably where she was now. The smells of food and coffee were enticing to Jack who hadn't eaten or drank for many hours. He saw his clothes on the back of a nearby chair and limped over. He sat on the chair and with difficulty, pulled on his trousers. He never realized that getting dressed with one hand would be so challenging. The socks and shoes were less a problem, thank goodness for loafers! Not being able to put on his shirt with the sling in the way, he draped it over his shoulders, letting the arms hang down on his chest. Then he limped towards the appetizing aromas. He queued up with other men waiting in line. Their aromas weren't as appetizing and he wrinkled his nose in disgust. Soon it was his turn. He picked up a coffee mug in his right hand and held it out saying, "Miss, I'm ready for that coffee now."
Norma spun around. Her look of surprise instantly turned into delight. "Certainly, sir!" she gushed as he filled the mug to the rim. She wistfully watched Jack shuffle to the table area and carefully select a place to sit away from the other patrons, before turning her attention to her duty. She couldn't help but think how out of place and uncomfortable he looked. When the lunch crowd thinned out, she hurriedly prepared a plate of scrambled eggs and toast and brought it to Jack.
"Why, thank you, miss," Jack said appreciatively. He began to eat gingerly.
As Norma watched him, she found herself being attracted to the boyish-looking man despite his injuries and unkempt appearance. She imagined how good-looking he would be when he recovered and she could see both his sparkling blue eyes. "You can call me Norma," she offered. "Can you remember anything yet?" she asked again.
"No, not really…" he trailed off, looking wistfully at her.
"Uh…we don't keep toiletries here. Maybe you'd like me to get something for you…a comb…shaving stuff?" she offered.
Jack gasped, suddenly realizing the fact of how slovenly he must seem. He tried to smooth down his hair with his right hand, but only succeeded in making it stick out more. Norma giggled. Jack started to laugh too. He felt his chin. "Drat, I must look the part of a mission rat." They both tittered.
"Well, I'll go to the pharmacy over on the next block after I clean up the kitchen. Do you want shaving cream and a razor, or an electric?" Norma asked.
"I can do with anything…whatever is less expensive."
Norma smiled and took Jack's meal service to the dishwasher and wiped up the counter. Jack watched her and didn't know why he felt attracted to her. For all he knew she might be married. He might be married! He glanced down at his left hand protruding from the sling. No ring, but that didn't mean much. He had to try and think about himself…try to recall something to give himself a clue. He stood, and buoyed by the simple meal, returned to the sleeping area. He walked to the lavatory to splash some water on his face and sighed the he saw his battered, swollen image in the mirror. He returned to his cot and lay down again, scowling.
Norma finished her chores and prepared a plate of sandwiches to leave out for anyone coming in between meals, then started for the drug store. She walked down the street and passed the club where Jack had performed, and intent on her task, didn't not notice the poster outside.