“Tell me a story
Take me to another land
This world we were born in
Is one I’ll never understand”
~ ‘Tell Me A Story’, by Garry Frost
from the 1927 album “The Other Side”, 1990
Matt’s heavy legs shuffled on the stairs from the subway station to the bright sun of the street, his feet barely rising to the required height to avoid tripping on the next step. He pushed his sunglasses, which he had not taken off during the train ride, harder onto his face. If it hadn’t been for his deep sense of curiosity, he probably wouldn’t even be out of bed.
The morning rush of commuters bustled around him, power suits and hair product, peppered with chatty uni students. Many poured in and out of the half-dozen or so coffee houses within sight, sipping on their mochas and lattes and cappuccinos. He scanned the streets around him for the cafe that was his destination. He didn’t spot it immediately, tucked away in a dark corner adjacent to an alley, its dirty sign wearily welcoming customers to Ariadne’s Café was partially obscured by unkempt trees erupting from an uneven hole in the footpath. Several people shot Matt grim looks as they dodged him.
The idea of visiting the least busy cafe on the street appealed to him. Crowds made him nervous, and he wasn’t particularly keen on being recognised.
He wandered over to the door and pushed it open. It swung open further than he intended, clanging against an empty, dusty copper tub placed at the door for storing umbrellas. Several customers looked up at his arrival, and went immediately back to their drinks. The blue hat Matt was there to meet was tucked away in a corner booth. As he approached, he noticed that despite the warm weather, the blue-hatted man was in an overcoat with the collar pulled high and a blue scarf stuffed in the front. Light powder dusted the top of the scarf and coat collar. The scarf’s blue matched the cap, pulled low. Dark hair stuck out from the cap, beads of sweat hanging from the tips. Blue Hat didn’t look up as Matt approached.
Matt stood at the booth and cleared his throat.
“Just in time,” Blue Hat said, still not looking up, “Please take a seat”.
“Perhaps you could tell me why I’m here?”
Thin, cracked lips turned up at the edges. “Please, sit.”
Matt half turned away, stomping his feet. I need a drink, he thought. He took his glasses off and pinched the bridge of his nose.
“Look, I don’t have to be here. You can tell me what you want, or watch me leave.” Matt said.
Blue Hat still did not look up.
“Dear boy, I asked you to come while providing scant of details as to the reason, and yet you came. You needn’t have bothered, yet here you are. You are here quite simply because you choose to be. Please,” he said, turning his head slowly for the first time to face Matt, “Sit down. I would love for us to chat”.
Matt still could not see Blue Hat’s face, the broad peak of his cap covering his face. Large dark glasses were now also apparent, making identification impossible. He hesitated.
Even stronger than Matt’s spirit of inquiry was the desire for the maelstrom that was his life to be more under his own control. Coming here was a choice, as would be leaving. Not to mention that an engagement in the city, even an aborted one, gave him an ideal excuse to yet again avoid an uncomfortable meeting with his landlord. And yet… and yet…
The mysterious email from Blue Hat was far too tantalising to ignore. Short on detail, yet it seemed to know much about Matt’s situation that he had not shared with any one person. Clever, each word chosen carefully to appeal, yet without articulating any specific aspiration. And then ending with the most enticing offer - that of a gift that would alter his situation in ways he had not ever imagined were possible. The stuff of dreams and wonder.
Matt turned and slowly took the seat opposite Blue Hat, mildly shocked at the sight of the man before him. The powder dusting his clothes was make-up, which was plastered thick on Blue Hat’s face. Sweat was visible in drops that ran down his face, leaving snail trails that disappeared into cracks in the pale powder. Blue Hat pushed a gloved hand out towards him, slowly pushing a steaming cup towards Matt.
“I ordered ahead. I hope that was not too… presumptuous?”
“Look, I don’t mean to be rude, but I’ve got places I need to-”
“You have nothing of the sort, Matthew. Your landlord received the message cancelling your appointment there, and was none too pleased about it. Your lunch with Rachel is not for hours yet, and our Mr Haroldson is otherwise occupied at the paper today - some awfully important business with... ahem… certain stakeholders, and hence not very likely to be troubling you this fine morning.”
Matt ignored the coffee and stared straight at the odd creature before him.
“Congratulations. You’ve learned how to use Google.” Matt said. “Who are you? What do you want? If you’re another journo looking to bury me, I’ve got news for you.”
“Matthew-”
“My mother calls me Matthew. My sister calls me Matthew. My year nine science teacher called me Matthew. My name’s Matt.”
“Yes, quite. As I was saying Matthew,” Blue Hat paused, just for a moment, “I’m not here to bring torment, nor to discuss trivialities. I’ve been watching you,”
“You and half the city.”
“...and unless I’m very much mistaken, you and I have much in common. I was once like you. I once knew the… difficulties you face. Many sought my ruination under their jack-booted heels,” he sucked a deep breath through his teeth, “But they could not have seen what was to come. My tale was yet to unfold. What was to emerge, like a butterfly from a cocoon, was far more than their feeble imaginations could grasp. Matthew, you are just a simple caterpillar, but soon, you too will rise from this anaemic cage,” Blue Hat lifted his shoulders, “And become the fulfillment of your elusive promise.”
Blue Hat eased back into his chair. His large, dark glasses revealed nothing. Another drop of sweat seeped its way into his scarf. Matt knew it was a mistake coming here. It was time to make an exit. He’d met plenty of wackos in the last few months, few of them quite as odd as Blue Hat, and none quite as cryptic. This man is clearly ill.
“Look, I appreciate what you’re trying to do here. I can really get by without the pity though. I can handle myself just fine. So look, sorry to waste the coffee, but this caterpillar’s has enough issues to deal with just at the moment. I’m going to head off now, OK?” Matt gave a nervous smile and slid towards to edge of the booth. He shifted his weight to stand, one hand on the table.
“Matthew…” Blue Hat said, “You can’t possibly leave yet. Not before I’ve passed on what you require.”
A free hand, withered and grey, shot out, its fingertips reaching Matt’s hand. A blue zap of light flashed between them for the briefest of moments. Matt felt immediately as if his blood had turned to cold lead and he slumped back into the booth. A wave of nausea hit the pit of his gut. He gaped at Blue Hat, a thousand blue points of fire dancing between them. Time seemed to crawl, and Matt found himself aware that no-one in the cafe was reacting in the least to what he was experiencing. Blue Hat wore a self-satisfied grin. Or was it relief Matt saw in his smile?
Blue Hat spoke but his words were nothing but a droning buzz. He raised himself from the booth and seemed to glide across the room. Matt opened his mouth but no sound came. He tried to lift himself, to protest, but his body would not respond. Blue Hat had nearly reached the door, slowed, bent over and coughed. A few more paces saw him reach the door and as he opened for it, Blue Hat stumbled. He grabbed the edge of the door and avoided colliding with a pair of young woman who recoiled as they passed him on their way in. It was only then that Matt’s head began to clear and his arms and legs once again became obedient. He stood and watched Blue Hat struggle in one final effort to launch his frame out the door. Matt moved towards the closing door. The nausea had passed and Matt felt his strength returning, knocking some chairs aside as he darted for the exit. He reached the door just before it swung shut and stepped out into the bright light of the morning, ignoring the bellowing barista behind him.
Matt scanned the street, but didn’t spot Blue Hat. What caught his attention was the squeal of brakes and a scream. A white delivery van had come to a halt across the street, surrounded by billowing blue smoke. Matt ran across the road towards a gathering crowd on the side of the road. The van’s driver nearly fell out of the vehicle and stammered “I didn’t even see ‘im! He was just there!” Matt pushed him aside effortlessly despite the driver’s large size. In front of the van he saw Blue Hat lying crumpled on the ground. His body seemed slight. Matt knelt beside him and reached out and touched Blue Hat’s coat and found it dripping wet. A large puddle spread over the surface of the road and the coat fell away from Matt’s hand. Blue Hat was gone. His shoes and clothes lay on the road, empty…
TO BE CONTINUED...?
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