Simon

This short story was inspired by Nightlife (1943) by Archibald Motley Jr.

You can view the artwork here.

Friday evening at the Dance Tunnel had promised to be one of the best nights of Jake’s short life.  Earlier in that week he had finally managed to obtain agreement from Sophie for a night out, a date.  

Jake had noticed Sophie on his bus to the work one morning, several days ago.  Spotting her was not difficult, given the colours of her clothes.  Being extremely beautiful also helped capture his attention.  For several weeks, he had merely monitored her on the bus, careful not to be intrusive or noticed.  Jake didn’t want to be inappropriate.  His intentions were honourable!

Of course, others were less shy, making him angry; angry with those other forward men, with less attributes, in his view, than himself; but also angry with himself for being so weak for failing to approach her.  Feebly. he sat quietly, observing everything and mulled over his strategy and tactics to speak to her and then to ask her out.  

Jake’s strategy was identified and pursued with careful planned steps bringing him bus seat by bus seat closer and closer to Sophie.  He was getting so close.  Now he only had needed to speak with her and to offer her sweet words.  Unfortunately, Jake’s literature words were limited.  

A good strategy is a good one and a good strategy needs to be pursued until it yields success.  Tonight’s evening told him that his strategy had been a good one and had been successful.  As he travelled to the club, Jake attempted to keep his joyful expectation under control; he needed to and to be considered to be cool.  

But now an hour later and Sophie is still absent.  Jack had forgotten that a successful strategy also depends on luck and, most importantly, on timing.