ONE

The sounds of New York brushed by the open window as Elaine lay awake in the dead of the night. The last month had been like this. In fact, she thought she was losing some serious rest over this. But really, what was she supposed to do? Kramer ruined it the first time she was going to say something to Jerry. It was going to be impossible. They had spent so long trying to just remain friends.

She rolled over onto her side, staring out the window at the lights flashing past. Nothing special was going on in her life. It was pathetic really…just work, work, work. She hadn't had a boyfriend in months. That was a first for her. She didn't know what to do. Rolling back onto her back, she stared up at the ceiling and closed her eyes, begging for sleep to come.

…………………………

"I love these black straws," George Costanza part said, part sang as he leaned contently back in the booth. The sounds of Monk's coffee shop buzzed in the background as Jerry, George, and Kramer all sat chatting away at their usual booth near the door.

"What's to love about them, anyway?" Jerry asked. "I don't really like them, to tell you the truth. They create this empty void of…blackness."

"'Blackness?'" George countered. "Don't fight with me on this one, okay? These are the classy straws…only the classy people drink from these."

"Well that doesn't explain why you're drinking from one. Here we go…George is having an identity crisis again."

"Hey Jerry, wasn't Elaine supposed to be here?" Kramer asked across the booth, sipping at his black coffee and placing his newspaper aside. "I hope she isn't upset about last night."

"Upset?" Jerry questioned. "Why would she be upset? I was the one knocked flat on the floor with no warning whatsoever. Ya know, you usually do give a warning when you're gonna knock me down somehow."

"Mmm…well, she just seemed upset. Don't know about what." He looked down at his paper, enthralled in some kind of article. "You know, I just know these things. I can," he clicked his tongue against his cheek, "read people, yeah?"

"She was acting funny last night," Jerry said. Stretching out on his side of the table, he yawned. "Don't know why though. I think she was going to tell me something right before this one," he gestured nonchalantly to Kramer, "barged in."

"Hey, I'm sorry, okay? I mean, you leave your door locked and I start to get nervous." He shook his head rapidly.

"Alright, whatever," Jerry said. "Ya think I should call her?" He gestured over to the payphone across the restaurant.

"Eh, if you want. I mean, it's just Elaine," George piped in.

"Yeah, you're right."

At that moment Elaine walked through the door and heard them talking. She stole away behind a plant and made sure that the boys couldn't see her.

"If it was some new girlfriend I'd call, or I don't know…my parents. No, not even my parents. She'll get here, it's just her."

It's just me, huh? Damnit, Elaine…you're being way too sensitive here. She strode towards the table and swallowed her emotions. "Hey boys," she said, announcing her presence to them.

"Oh, hey. We were just wondering where you were," George said, smiling up at her and taking a big sip of his coffee.

"Yeah, sorry I'm late," she answered, plopping down next to Jerry. She never realized how small these seats were. "Just got caught up in some traffic." Good excuse, especially in New York City, but it wasn't the truth. She actually was sleeping, having finally fallen asleep at something like 4 am. Those two hours she was afforded were all she really got and she slept right through the alarm's buzzing. And to think that all the trouble was most likely because of the man sitting next to her.

"I'm really thirsty…But I can't stay. Mr. Peterman's got me booked today with meetings. I've really got to go." She began getting up, glancing at George and Kramer across the way not really paying attention and hugged her coat around her.

"Hey…take this," Jerry said, offering his paper to-go cup of coffee.

"Oh, no, Jer…that's alright. I'll just get something at the office." But he wouldn't have it. Dropping the cup into her hands, he smiled and winked, going right back into conversation with the boys.

"Thanks," she murmured. What had gotten into him? As charming as the man might be, Jerry wasn't the most considerate. All of a sudden, he was being…a gentleman? Strange…

Gathering her long coat around her, she smiled silently at him and walked out the door and into the bustling streets of New York City.