Chapter 10 – Killing Time

It appeared that Emerson would be indulging in another one of his pleasures that night. His love for wine… or perhaps the company of another individual. They ran into Duncan outside after the Opera. Emerson’s ploy to engage Ms. Caroline was foiled by her own miscalculation of alcohol consumption and she’d had to leave the engagement early.  

As the two of them sat around the coffee table, Emerson glanced around Duncan’s nicely embellished flat. They asked “So this is a lovely place, how much was your interior designer?”

 “Actually, it was a creation of my own design. I’d like to think I have an eye for these sorts of things when I am not working,” Duncan smirked. “What do you like about it?”

Emerson had said his previous statement to make conversation. But with seconds to think, they decided to indulge Duncan on his whim. “Well I find that piece above your fireplace to be quite an interesting piece.” It should be noted that whenever they used the word “interesting”, it was a term of anything but interest.

“Oh you that one, it was a gift from a dear friend. It is a representation of balance,” Duncan replied. “I think it could be a battle between two entities that will never end.” The piece was an infinity sign with black and white sections painted on it.

“Well that is almost the balance we walk through life. Never knowing the outcome of our actions. Which animal will it feel?” They said.

With that said, Emerson and Duncan raised their glasses and cheered. Duncan was quite happy that he was able to interact with Emerson on a more casual level. He’d been used to seeing them briefly as they talked to Mr. Aquitaine intermittently. There was something about Emerson that intrigued him. Almost a feeling of uncertainty and mystery that he couldn’t fight. With the wine beginning to take over, Duncan had this need to gain more insight on the person he had chosen to spend the night with.

“So, what’s your deal?” He blurted out without thinking first. “I mean you seem like one for mixing business and pleasure.”

“What do you mean?” They responded.

“I mean obviously your Mr. Aquitaine’s right-hand man, when you’re around. But I’ve seen the way people look at you,” Duncan said as he laughed. “You could have anyone you want in the office, but yet you don’t… Why is that?”

As they pondered for a couple seconds, they began to roll their eyes and half smile. “Well I like to take my time. Life is full of opp..”

“Opportunities,” he said. “And sometimes we gravitate toward opportunities that are less calculated.” He proceeded to grab the bottle of wine and fill up both glasses with a true house pour.

“Well yes, to some degree we as humans are attracted to the unknown. That’s why science -fiction, murder mystery, and romance novels are popular in America. We like to view life through the experience of another vantage point, even if it’s fiction, we still read through it,” Emerson said while lightly swirling the glass. “They unlock a sense of excitement for the reader, perhaps to escape their own lives or indulge into their wildest fantasies. Personally, I find comfort in those who…”

In that moment, Emerson felt enamored by where the conversation had gone. It was one of the only times they’d completely exposed their feelings. Perhaps it was the wine or the Opera or perhaps maybe it was something more.