Manuel the Escort

A day in the life

Manuel was a man with many numbers in his phone. He seemed to be getting into contact with more than twenty people a day, most of which being clients of his. He walked down the street, off the sidewalk along the parallel parking spots, a cigarette slipping out of his mouth while he held is phone with two hands. He parted his lips too much and it fell.

            “S**t.” He said, walking over the cigarette and already lighting a new one. He liked to use matches rather than a lighter, he didn’t like the smell of lighter fluid and claimed it made the experience better. Though, the lighter did make it harder in the rain. He let the match burn too long and burned his finger tip. He winced and threw it to the ground. He popped the cigarette into his mouth and ran his hand threw his black hair. On his hand, he felt the grease that he had used that morning starting to set, wet and sticky. Lizzy won’t like this, he thought. But I don’t have time to go home.

            Lizzy’s home was nice. Nicer than most of his clients’. He enjoyed being in her home, she usually let him stay a little longer than the others. The steps reflected, dramatically, the gates of hell, as if they were paths leading to forthcoming death. Her front door was black, making it hidden in the shadows. One thing that stood out was the silver knocker in the shape of a sleeping lion. Manuel always thought this represented peace, rather than protection. He’ll never forget that lion.

            Knock. Knock. Knock. It was always three for Manuel, so she knew. Usually she took her time to come to the door, but this time she was especially quick. Lizzy, a middle-aged divorcee, was the type of client who tried to make Manuel fall in love with her, yet she was very particular about Manuel and made sure she always got her money’s worth. Out of all of them, Lizzy was his favorite. She paid up front, she did all the work, and always fixed him a beverage afterwards. He thought of this as a simple respect for what he does.

            “Mannie!” She swung the door open and gave him a huge hug, like they were old friends. “I’ve been thinking about you all day.” She bite his ear and laughed. But when she stroked his hair, it all faded away. “What on earth have you been putting in your hair, boy?” She pulled away and wiped the grease on her skirt. “You know I hate that. Come on in.” She waved him in and walked quick to the kitchen and ran the sink. The atmosphere suddenly changed, like an ocean storm shifting direction right before it hits land.

            “I’m sorry Liz, I didn’t have any time to prepare, and you called me out of nowhere.” He almost sounded as if he didn’t want to be there any longer, which, for Lizzy, was unacceptable.

            “Just get on upstairs. I’ll be there in a minute.” She was scrubbing her hands furiously. Manuel sighed and went up the stairs that lead to Lizzy’s hotel-like bedroom. He took off his black boots, still wet from the rain, and placed them neatly by the door. He took off his puffy black bomber jacket and hung it perfectly on the chair of the vanity. He folded his shirt and pants in perfect squares and placed them on the chair on top of one and other. His phone, pack of cigarettes and matches, and wallet all sat nicely in line atop the small vanity table where his payment was already folded tightly in a money clip. He sat, on a bed that was too soft, in his undershirt, socks, and briefs, and waited. Too soft. He laughed to himself. How can anything be too soft?             

Reviews

[AhhhKitty]

I enjoyed it .... but felt it was 'unresolved' at the end. I was expecting something more to happen, maybe because of the, "He'll never forget that lion" reference earlier in the story which seemed to hint at his interpretation being wrong. I also couldn't make sense of, "Though, the lighter did make it harder in the rain." I felt a lighter would be easier to use in the rain. That said, I liked the loss of his cigarette in the opening paragraph. It was a quirky and engaging detail I felt.

[Philip Muls]

Very down to earth, very detailed. The mundane existence of yet another gigolo. I very much like the ending, it shows the true nature of Manuel as just a guy which the kind of strange thoughts we all have.

Well done.

[Adam Adams]

Story concept is pretty good. You stir the flavors of fascination, & blend some royal ingredients with your luxuriously delirious words very well. You kinda know how to make your readers-cum-lovers "wanting" more. You already better know what to set locations, create weather, & put some interest in your work!! And that's the thing, you lil bee, i love 'bout you. Keep writing!! Looking forward to reading your stuffs.