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"Did Pete lose it, or did he find it?"

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Mon 12/08/02 at 19:24
Regular
Posts: 787
Hello.

Ideas come from funny places, this one came to me when I decided to get off the bus early, and take a walk. The title came before the tale, and no, it's nothing real whatsoever, complete fiction.

Anyway, it's long so it'll be in the next post.
Mon 12/08/02 at 19:24
Regular
"not dead"
Posts: 11,145
Hello.

Ideas come from funny places, this one came to me when I decided to get off the bus early, and take a walk. The title came before the tale, and no, it's nothing real whatsoever, complete fiction.

Anyway, it's long so it'll be in the next post.
Mon 12/08/02 at 19:24
Regular
"not dead"
Posts: 11,145
Time is a funny thing. Week after week can pass, with very little changing. Other weeks, so much can happen that the life you had at the start of the week no longer matches the one you have at the end of the week. Pete had just had one of the second type of weeks.

Last Monday it was Pete's birthday. Pete was 32. Pete's wife, Sophie, had bought him a new shirt, the kind of shirt he could wear for work. This got Pete thinking. Thinking was not something that Pete was supposed to do. He'd been married for 5 years, had a decent job, and was beginning to feel financially secure. There were years left on the mortgage, but it was no longer a struggle to meet the payments. Pete could just switch off, go to work for the next 28 years, taking the odd week in the sun, then retire. That's what people did, there was no reason why Pete should be different.

But that shirt. He could wear it to work. Was that all Pete was now to Sophie? Pete the accountant that had a nice new shirt to go to work in.

The first year that Pete was with Sophie, some 7 years ago now, she had bought him tickets to go see a band for his birthday. The Charlatans at Cambridge Corn Exchange. It was a great night, especially when they made love up against the tour bus after the show, which lead to them missing the last bus home. Pete tried to remember the last time that he and Sophie had had sex with any passion. Yes he still got some, his weekly shunt in bed with the lights out, before rolling over into a deep sleep, but it was just an act now. An enjoyable one still, just not as good as before, not really much different to doing it himself. But this happened as you got comfortable with each other, so Pete had heard.

But is shouldn't happen, Pete realised, and Pete shouldn't be bought a shirt for his birthday. That wasn't on, there was more to Pete than Pete the Accountant, wasn't there?

Pete had to stop thinking when he realised that he'd gone past his stop on the train. Thinking was bad, thinking made Pete late for work. Pete's boss, Gavin, tapped his watch and shook his head with a smirk on his face when Pete walked in. Pete mouthed the word "sorry" then took a seat at his desk. At 11:00 Pete had his usual cup of coffee, even though he'd only been at work an hour. "Happy birthday big man!" said Charles, pretending to punch Pete playfully on the arm. Pete smiled, someone had remembered. Most of the office remembered, in fact, and it was suggested that they pop out for a drink at lunch time.

So they did, but sitting around the table, pint in hand only got Pete thinking again. There were two topics of conversation. Work and TV.

Work.

"So hows the Mansfield account?"

"We might have to take someone else on".

TV.

"Didn't they do a good job on Ground Force!"

"Those Slaters on Eastenders, what ever will happen to the, next, poor buggers!"

Pete remembered sitting in pubs during his sixth form days, when people used to make jokes, and talk up the fun they were going to have at the weekend. And how they'd never end up like the boring blokes in the corner, talking about work.

The rest of the working day passed in a buzz of figures. Pete looked at them, made them do their usual tricks, but without any feeling whatsoever. However many hours had he wasted there? Why was he doing it? Questions filled his head, with no answers coming. At the end of the day he went to see Gavin. Gavin agreed to let him have the rest of the week off. Pete was happy. Pete didn't know what he was going to do, but it would come to him, he was sure of that.

When Pete got home Sophie was sitting on the sofa with the TV on. Pete picked up the local paper and took a seat in the kitchen.

"Quick, they're about to announce the nominations!" said Sophie, with genuine enthusiasm.

"So?" said Pete.

"For the eviction" replied Sophie, looking a little concerned.

"Uh" Said Pete. "I was thinking we could go see a film this evening. David Lynch has a new one out."

"What, on a Monday? Isn't that thing on you like?"

"I don't like it, I just watch it because Charles talks about it. I don't see the point in it. What's to say we can't go out on a Monday, anyway?"

"We never do"

"So? It's supposed to be a good film."

"What's it about?"

"I don't know."

"Who is in it?"

"No one famous"

"Well why should we see that then?"

"Do you remember when we used to live in the flat by the river, and we saw that movie 'Lost Highway'? It's directed by the same bloke."

"I don't remember. Did I like it?"

"It was confusing. But it was different."

"What about Eastenders?"

"Sod it, I'll go on my own"

And Pete walked out.

Pete sat in his car for several minutes. He contemplated going back in, but he could see the rest of the evening. He'd sit down, and the sofa would have him. It would point him at the TV, and he'd sit there, until Sophie said she was going to bed. He'd then say he was going to stay up a while longer. He'd go on the internet, and look at porn for a bit, tug off quickly then head for bed. That was Monday's routine.

Not this Monday. Pete accelerated swiftly out of the drive, and headed for the cinema. He put the radio on as he sat at traffic lights. An advert for windows and conservatory's bleated out at him before a DJ told him he was listening to the 'best music mix'. Pete retuned the radio, and found something that sounded different. He wasn't sure that he liked it, but it was a step up from the previous station, which he knew he didn't like.

Pete enjoyed the movie. There were no heroes or explosions or one-liners, but he liked it more because of this, rather than despite it. Pete had always liked going to the cinema, but this had been the first time in a while. Maybe more than year. Pete realised that it was another one of those things that he had lost in his slow transformation from Pete the living to Pete the dead. Pete looked at his watch. On a typical Monday he would be pulling off about now, with a slight worry in the back of his mind that his credit card details weren't entirely safe in the hands of bustybeauties.com. Well this sure beat his usual Monday beat-off. A great movie, and what should follow that? Pete spotted a burger van. Perfect. A huge cheeseburger. It had been a while since he'd had a burger. Too fatty. Full of rubbish. Sod that, burgers taste good, thought Pete, pushing yet another nail from his coffin. The thought made Pete laugh, considering that he was always told that junk food would put him in an early grave. How long had he already been there?

When Pete got home he had a huge smile on his face. He'd had a real fun evening. He'd only been to see a movie, and grabbed a burger, nothing special to most people, but he had broken the routine. He wanted to share his happiness with his wife. She sat up in bed, reading 'Hello' magazine. She didn't acknowledge Pete as he entered the room, or even as he got into bed. When he tried to kiss her she turned away. "I'm trying to read." Pete went to sleep, drifting off much easier than anytime in the last few years.

Pete woke at the normal time the next morning, and left at the normal time, to give Sophie the impression that he was just going to have a normal day. A normal Tuesday at work was much like a normal Monday, or Wednesday, or Friday. Thursdays were different though, as Pete and his work 'buddies' always went to Pizza Hut for lunch on a Thursday. Depressingly, this was often the highlight of the working week.

But this Tuesday was no normal Tuesday for Pete even though he had no plan, as such, it just wasn't going to involve sitting in that dull office, slowly dying. Pete got on his usual train, towards work but he wasn't going to get off at the usual stop. Pete decided to get off at the same stop as he did the day before, when he was late. Only Pete didn't turn back on the Tuesday. Pete left the train station and spotted a park. Pete took a seat on the bench and looked around.

Pete watched people for hours. People walking their dogs as part of the daily morning routine were replaced with people wandering through the park on the way to work and school, more routine. Eventually these died away too, and the park was free from such routine. The park was much quieter for the next couple of hours. Pete watched a couple walking through the park, stopping to kiss beneath a tree before going their separate ways. Pete watched a woman stop in the park with two children. The children kicked a ball around, whilst she sat and watched, taking the odd photograph. A group of teenagers came into the park. One of them was carrying a crate full of beer, another had a stereo. They sat down, put the music on, and started drinking.

Pete watched them for several minutes. They were doing as they wanted, they didn't care what anyone else thought. Then again, there was probably one of them that had just gone along with it, as his friend was. Pete walked over to them.

"Excuse me" he said.

"What do you want?" said one of the teens.

"Could you tell me who this is you're listenning to" replied Pete, pointing to the CD player "I like it, and was thinking of picking it up."

After sitting perplexed for a minute the boy answered Pete, so Pete headed off into town.

Pete was in HMV for quite some time, flicking through the CD's. Some of the bands he used to listen to had released new CD's so he bought those, wondering how they had slipped his attention before. He bought the CD that the kids in the park were listening to, and he asked people at random what they were buying, and he did the same. So what if he didn't like it, surely it was better to try, rather than to miss out on it all together? It only cost money, and what was Pete saving so much for anyway? He didn't know anymore.

Pete went home. The house was quiet as Sophie was at work, but not for long as Pete but the first of his new CD's on, and turned it up loud. Pete danced around the room, changing the CD whenever he got to the end. Pete loved his new music. Sophie didn't appear to when she walked in.

"What the hell are you doing?" She asked

"Listenning to music" replied Pete

"Why?" She asked

"Because I'd lost touch, and I missed it" replied Pete.

"How much have you spent on all this?" she asked

"I don't know, and I don't care" replied Pete.

Sophie wasn't best pleased with this reply and walked off. Probably into the kitchen.

Pete continued to listen to music, and dance. He didn't see Sophie again that evening, as he fell asleep on the sofa, all danced out.

Pete was woken in the morning by Sophie. She said he'd be late for work. He said he wasn't going in. He said they should do something fun together. She said she had to work. He asked why. She didn't answer.

Pete was still sat on the sofa long after Sophie left. Pete begun to wonder if he still loved Sophie. He thought probably not, they didn't do anything together anymore, they just existed. Pete didn't like this thought, so he went out. Pete just wandered. He did love Sophie, once. Or did he just love what they did together? They used to talk, talk about all the things they would do together, talk about their ambitions, talk about what they wanted to do to each other. Over the years this had stopped. Rather than sitting and talking like they did, they sat and watched TV. If they did talk it was only about what they did at work, what they wanted for dinner, or what they were going to watch on TV. No longer did he say that he wanted to lick honey from her nipples, no longer did she say that she wanted to travel around Europe with him. But why not? What had stopped this?

Pete didn't know how long he had wandered for when he stopped outside a pub. He went inside and bought a drink, and a bag of crisps. Further drinks followed. It was getting late. Pete went home.Sophie was already in bed. Pete didn't join her.

Pete woke feeling cold in the morning. His head felt heavy. It was 10am, Sophie had left for work without waking him. She had opened the window though, explaining why Pete was cold. He stunk. He showered then headed out.

Pete went to the train station and headed into town. He was hungry so he went to Pizza Hut. It was Thursday. All of his work buddies were in there. Pete opted to sit where they couln't see them. He could here them though. Sure enough they chatted about work. They chatted about TV too. The exact same conversation that had taken place last week, only Pete wasn't a part of it this time, and he was glad. Pete never wanted to be a part of it again. So after Pete finished his pizza he headed over to the table his work 'buds' sat at. He punched Charles in the face. Hard.

"How's it hanging big man!" he said.

He picked up Gavin's drink, and poured it over Gavin's head, mimicing Gavin's smirk.

"You shalln't be seeing me again." he said, before leaving.

Pete felt good. No longer would he have to sit all day doing something that bored him. Pete would find himself something else to do, something he'd enjoy. But not on Thursday. Pete felt the need to go do something else on this day.

Thursday was the day that Pete would get his weekly dose of Sophie. She always had a drink with her work pals, and came home a little tipsy. As such she didn't much feel like reading 'Hello', so Pete got some attention. Pete wasn't much in the mood for his usual few thrusts, same old position, he wanted to try something new. Pete headed for the nearest phone box, and was pleased to find the usual cards in there.

"So 6pm in the Travel Lodge car park, I'll see you then" siad Pete, finishing his conversation with Trixie. Trixie was 'True Blonde' and would 'do anything for a price'. Pete had never slept with a prostitute before. In fact, he'd never slept with anyone other than Sophie and his previous girlfriend Tara, though that had been a bit of a messy affair. Pete had been curious about sleeping with a prostitute since around te same time that he started cruising the internet for pornography. It had been a long time since Pete had acted upon his curiousity.

At 6 o'clock Pete was at the Travel Lodge. He spotted a woman that clearly wasn't a true blonde standing by a lamp post. She wore a golden fake fur coat, and fish net stockings. Pete didn't much care what she looked like. He approached her and they headed into the Travel Lodge, booking in as Mr and Mrs Smith.

"Do you do anal?" asked Pete.

"Sure, honey" she replied.

"Can I pee on you?" asked Pete.

"Sure honey" she replied.

Pete smiled. He did all the things that he'd imagined himself doing with those women on the internet. Things he'd never wanted to do with Sophie, but things he certainly felt better for having done. After peeing all over Trixie, Pete had had enough. They'd been at it for a couple of hours, and Pete wasn't sure that he could rise to the occasion again had he have wanted to. He paid Trixie, who left swiftly, then he fell asleep on the bed.

On Friday morning he went back to his house. He could no longer call in home, it didn't feel like it. Sophie was at work. That was good, Pete didn't want to see her. He pulled a suitcase from the wardrobe and threw some clothes in it. Pete grabbed a pen, and joted a note on a piece of paper.

"You've changed. I've changed. I've realised that I've changed, and I want to change back, back to how I was 7 years ago. I can't convince myself that you want the same thing. If you want me you'll know where ot find me."

Pete got into his car and drove. He wanted to go home, but didn't know where that was anymore, so he travelled to the coast, and spent the night in his car.

Pete woke to the sound of waves crashing, and could smell the sea breeze. Pete felt good.

Pete got out of his car, and walked along the sea-front. He hadn't been here for years, a holiday with Sophie before they were married was the least time, and it rained. Since then they'd been on foreign holidays, recommended by Judith Chalmers. It wasn't raining now though, the sun was shining.

Pete walked into an amusement arcade, just as it was opening up. He put a few coins in a fruit machine. He won back three times what he put in. Pete smiled. Pete noticed a 'help wanted' sign in the window. He spoke to the young lad on the change kiosk about it. Pete was given the job, starting immediately, if he wanted.

Pete did want.

He spent the day opening up fruit machines when they got stuck, replacing coins in change machines, giving change in the kiosk. All of the time he could see the sea rolling and smell the sea breeze. And that's all that he wanted.

He found a B&B to stay in for the night, and said that he'd be staying on for quite some time. Before going to sleep he pulled a photograph from his wallet. A picture of Sophie sat on the beach, 6 years ago. He'd loved her then, and he loved himself then too. He was beginning to find that love for himself again, doing as he wanted rather than what was expected. He hoped that Sophie would be able to find herself again too. Let go of all she'd been spoon-fed for the last few years, then she'd know where to look for him.

If she found him, he wouldn't let her slip into that bad place ever again. They could keep each other out of it, rather than in it, and love and live together truly happy.
Mon 12/08/02 at 19:56
Regular
Posts: 8,220
Great
Mon 12/08/02 at 21:44
Regular
"allardini's tagline"
Posts: 3,396
American Beauty wannabe... :p

Nah, just kiddin. Very good, Meka.
Tue 13/08/02 at 21:07
Regular
"not dead"
Posts: 11,145
It is a little American Beauty-esque, isn't it?

Wasn't intentional, though I did realise at a certain point, and tried not to go down too many roads the movie did.
Thu 15/08/02 at 00:00
Regular
Posts: 9,848
Pete only lost it if a few days pass, he realises that he DID prefer the calm life and that this little mis-adventure has cost him his family and life job!

Otherwise, it seems like he's found what makes him happy. :-)
Thu 15/08/02 at 00:11
Regular
"Fruit makes you far"
Posts: 232
Meka, I've never really read any of your stuff before but that is quality. You have an excellent talent - make sure you make the most of it.

Danny
Thu 15/08/02 at 18:53
Regular
"not dead"
Posts: 11,145
Torquay United! wrote:
> Meka, I've never really read any of your stuff before but that is
> quality. You have an excellent talent - make sure you make the most
> of it.
>
> Danny

Cheers, I really appreciate comments like that.

Now I've realised that I can write, I plan to use it.

thanks again.
Wed 26/02/03 at 23:29
Regular
"not dead"
Posts: 11,145
This is the one I was after.

I can stop popping my old topics now...
Wed 26/02/03 at 23:32
Regular
"gsybe you!"
Posts: 18,825
Torquay United!

A fellow supporter?!

'ave it!

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