Another domino falls

And another domino falls

A little at a time

I feel more alive

I let the scale tip and feel all of it

It's uncomfortable but right

- SLEEPING AT LAST

Arthur's sudden change in personality should have been a sign to get some authority figure's attention. But something clicked inside my head when we were in the alley. I was instinctively scared of him, but I also knew that he couldn't, or rather, wouldn't easily make me his victim.

We got back to the apartment building as the sun finished setting. Arthur "invited" me into his apartment. But before going over I decided to grab some popcorn from my own apartment. We shared it and I fell asleep while we watched the television.

The next day was another day of action.

"So… where are we going?" I asked Arthur as we stepped outside.

"Just the drugstore," he replied. "I can't go onto Murray's show like this."

I nodded, trying to ensure my safety. It made sense. He seemed to enjoy dressing up.

We made it to the drug store and left with, in my opinion, unusual items. Arthur decided to buy green hair dye and a variety of face makeup.

"What's your plan with this?" I asked him while we checked-out.

"If Murray thinks I'm a joker, I'll give him a Joker." He was serious. I wasn't sure what to say, so I settled with an "Okay."

We headed back to the apartment after buying Arthur's items. But on our way back Arthur suddenly stopped in front of a nice-looking restaurant that I had never noticed before. "Let's go inside," he said. He stepped towards the restaurant but I grabbed his arm before it was out of reach.

"Wait, Arthur, this looks like a really nice restaurant. I don't think they'll even let us inside." I gestured towards our clothes. Arthur was wearing his standard polo shirt, jacket, and slacks. I was wearing a sweater and jeans. He simply sneered and headed inside anyway.

I rolled my eyes and then followed him inside. Sure enough, the inside was gorgeous. It was fine dining to the greatest extent. The place had immaculate decor and the hosts were dressed better than us. It was lunchtime so it wasn't busy, but I could hear voices nearby further inside the restaurant.

"Two, please," Arthur said to the man who appeared to be a host. The host looked at us with an amused expression. I think he thought we were kidding. Embarrassed, I stood behind Arthur and tried to gently tug him away.

" Let's go, " I whispered. " He probably thinks we're joking."

Arthur pushed me away.

The host frowned.

"Sir. I apologize, but this is a fine dining establishment. Our dress code requires formal wear to be worn at all times." Arthur laughed.

"I'll pay extra then." He said as he opened his wallet and placed a neat pile of cash on the counter. I looked at him, shocked. I thought he was basically in poverty.

"Again, I can't seat you. This is about reputation and appearance, not money." The host pushed the money away and tried to hide his annoyance behind a polite smile.

Arthur crossed his arms and sighed. I couldn't see his face but I could tell from his posture that he was not happy and borderline furious.

"How about now?" Arthur said as he pulled a gun hidden from his jacket and placed it directly on the host's forehead. I gasped and felt my body freeze up. The host put his hands up and shook with fear. I stopped breathing as I watched Arthur begin to move the safety.

My body went into full fight-or-flight mode. I quickly lunged towards Arthur and yanked the gun from his hands. I was fast enough that Arthur didn't even notice me right behind him until the gun was safely in my hands.

I held onto the gun tightly. Arthur slowly turned towards me with eyes that showed a mix of betrayal and anger. I looked around for an escape route, trying to predict Arthur's next move.

Then I watched as the host and Arthur fell to the ground. The host took him to the ground and pinned him down so he was immobile. Arthur struggled as the host yelled at me to do something.

" Use the phone on the desk to call the police! "

Before I could even think about taking any action Arthur also yelled at me.

"No, don't. If you call the police this all will be for nothing! " The host struggled to keep him down. "How you think the police will treat someone who harbored and helped a fugitive?" Arthur asked. My mind was racing and I couldn't think properly.

"Shut your mouth." The host said, putting Arthur into a chokehold and then looked me dead in the eyes. "Call. The. Police. Now ."

This is it . I could see two distinct paths for my life now in front of me.

But I couldn't see very far down them.

Then, a loud bang echoed through the restaurant.

"Oh my god," I said under my breath, realizing what I had just done. Arthur's piercing laugh rang through the restaurant. The host let go of him and we all stared at the wound that was now in his lower abdomen. Without another thought, Arthur pushed him off and grabbed my arm. We ran, and all I thought about was how fast my legs were moving.

I think Arthur said a few words to me while we ran, but I could barely hear him and my mind couldn't process the moment. I was stuck in a dissociative state as my ears rang.

When I fully came back to reality I was in Arthur's apartment, sitting on the couch. He smoked a cigarette and was assembling his hair dye and face paint.

"Arthur," I mumbled. He looked toward me. My voice cracked.

"What the hell am I going to do? Did I kill that man? Are they going to find us?" I sighed and began to sob.

He shook his head and placed his cigarette in his mouth. "He didn't know our names. There wasn't even anybody else who saw." He handed me a cigarette. I pushed it away and stood from the couch.

"No, this is your fault," I said, picking up my bag and coat from the coffee table. He laughed and looked at me, bewildered.

"Me? You're the one who decided to fuck a self-professed criminal. Did you think that I would suddenly become innocent?"

"Well, I didn't think you'd become so possessive and creepy. I thought we'd see each other once and then pretend like we barely knew each other. You would go to jail but... we would have a good time." I said defensively.

Arthur put out his cigarette on the couch. "That is so fucking selfish."

I scowled. He scowled back.

Then I eyed the ashtray sitting on the coffee table and smirked.

"I know, I am fucking selfish," I said while hurling the ashtray as hard as I could at the television. I heard the loud crack and then ran out of his apartment as quickly as I could.

I fumbled with my keys outside of my door and my heart raced as I could hear his footsteps coming closer.

Finally, I swung the door open, slammed it behind me, and locked it. Milliseconds later Arthur banged loudly on the door.

" Go away!" I yelled. He stopped and there was silence, and then laughter. He walked back into his apartment and slammed the door. I could still hear his laughter through the walls. I shuddered and collapsed onto my couch. I turned on the television and tried to occupy my mind, ignoring the silent tears rolling down my face.

A while later I began to doze off but was jolted awake when I heard visitors outside of Arthur's door. I turned the television down and ran to the wall to listen.

I can't hear anything. I thought and sighed to myself. They're talking way too quietly.

Now disinterested, I went back to watching the television.

Then there was screaming.

I turned the television off completely and froze while listening to screams.

What is he doing now? Murdering his visitors?

Finally, after a minute or so the screams stopped.

What the fuck? I mouthed to myself. Listening for any clues on what the hell just happened.

Nothing. Absolutely nothing.

I sighed and turned the television back on. Finally falling into a deep sleep.

… … … … ...

Then once again, loud noises. I jumped up at the banging on my door.

"Who is it?" I yelled out.

"You know who," Probably Arthur, replied. I got up and looked through the peephole.

"Arthur?" I said while observing the fuzzy figure outside with green hair and a full face of makeup. I unlocked the door but kept the chain on so it wouldn't open fully. I looked outside, making sure no weapon was pointed at me first.

"Jesus, you really did go all out." I took a good look at his whole outfit and nodded with approval. "So… did you need something?"

Arthur grinned. "I came to apologize," He said happily. He held out a bundle of fake flowers and I stared at him blankly.

"Arthur, I'm the one who threw an ashtray at your television," I said.

"I know. Just take this and watch The Murray Franklin Show tonight, okay?" He pushed the bundle of fake flowers through the door and I begrudgingly grabbed them.

"Okay. I will." He gave me an unnatural smile. I closed the door and went back towards the television.

Well, I didn't expect that. I thought while looking at the flowers. Then I walked over to the window just in time to see Arthur prancing across the courtyard, basically dancing. I smiled.

"I'm sure you'll entertain everybody," I said to myself and placed the flowers on the windowsill.