Address

I am walking, walking along a mountain path and peering over an open valley when suddenly, the earth shifts below me and I am nearly thrown over the edge.

Then I wake up.

I am on a bus, and we just came to an abrupt halt.

…oh shit, I fell asleep…

Did I miss my stop? I look out the window, but it's too foggy to see. I rush up the aisle, and try to peer through the front windshield. All I can see is road, so I duck down and try to look up. Tall buildings. I think we're still in the city.

"Driver! Can you stop here?"

"Not right now, buddy. Take a seat. I'll let you off at the next stop."

"Where are we?"

"You kiddin? Just let me do my job alright, quit botherin me."

I turn around, awkwardly, but I don't remember where I was sitting. So I just stand there and hold a pole. I can't see out the windows at all. It must be freezing outside.

My heart is still beating very fast. I don't think I slept too long. It should be ok. After half a minute, but what feels like an eternity, the bus pulls over. It kneels, hissing, and the doors crumple open. "Thanks."

"Don't mention it."

I step off, and the bus pulls away. That driver was kinda an ass. He didn't wanna help me at all... so focused on just doing his job. I don't wanna be like that, ever.

I take a gander. This place looks right. I was mostly worried we had already passed through the city, but I think we're still here. Worst case I can just take another bus or a cab to get around. It's getting here that's the hard part.

Luckily mom and dad prepared me for this day. I'm wearing my nice new blazer, which mom helped me sew and dad paid for the buttons. It fits pretty well, too. I’m confident.

Then I remember. I frantically reach into my pocket and pull out my wallet, and search for the card. Phew. It's still there. I read the address again. I don't know why; I've read it a thousand times and I know it deep down in my heart. But I just want to make sure I have it, in case I get amnesia, or something. I have to get there, no matter what.

I put the card back.

The buildings in this district are impressive and stately. Mostly churches and libraries and other such institutions. Some beautiful mansions are mixed in. I walk down the street, admiring the architecture and the landscaping. Crisp fall air stirs the fallen, multi-colored leaves. This is pretty nice. I feel good.

I stop into a building with a brilliant brick edifice and massive windows. This must be the main library. I go inside, and am welcomed by rows upon rows of bookshelves. As far as I can see. I spend a while perusing the stacks, picking up books from time to time. I read some really interesting things. I'd love to linger here a bit longer.

A librarian walks by and notices me. She has long dark hair. "Can I help you find anything?"

"No I really should be going."

"Ok."

"Thanks though."

I head back outside, then walk down the street. I could get sucked in there for hours if I'm not careful. I'm really glad I stayed for a while, but I really have to get to the address on the card.

As I'm strolling, I notice that one of the houses has a bunch of people mingling outside it. Guys in sportscoats and girls in colorful dresses. I wonder what's going on there. I could probably fit in, and no one would notice.

I walk past the first few bodies, and no one tries to stop me, so I push my luck. Inside, every conceivable surface is covered in decorations. The music is bumping. People either are in constant movement from room to room, or else stand with their hips against the wall, immersed in conversation, A few are dancing in one corner. I find myself smiling. This is cool.

I walk up to the expansive table set in the middle of the largest room. There are lots of liquor bottles, a bunch bowl, and wine. I'd love to have some, but I shouldn't start drinking. Not when I still have a long distance to go to my destination. Plus, I don’t trust myself to stop at one or two drinks.

A girl a walks up to me, her dress has a luxurious pattern of a peacock embroidered from the shoulder to the opposite hip. Her hairstyle and makeup are equally exquisite. She has a presence.

"What's wrong? The selection here not good enough for you?"

"Hah. I'm just not thirsty right now…"

"Well what is it you want then?" She raises her eyebrow.

"I dunno."

"Can I help you find it?"

"Umm maybe..."

I pull out the card. "Do you know where this is?"

"Why? Who gave you that?"

"I don't re... It doesn't matter. Do you know where it is?"

"I have something better."

"Umm... I'm not sure."

I sort of walk away. Awkwardly.

"I need to use the restroom," I say in passing.

"Not that way, it's upstairs."

But I keep walking, and I leave through the front door. That was close.

Right then, a cab pulls up and lets out a guy and two girls. They are obviously dressed for this party. Before he can leave, I hail the driver. "Are you going downtown?"

"Yeah sure, I can take you there."

"Ok." I get in. We leave the beautiful neighborhood. I wish I could have spent more time there. I really liked the library, as well as the party. It was a nice mix of both gravity and levity, learning and leisure. And I enjoyed being in proximity to so many young people. So many attractive young people.

"Where exactly ya going?"

I read him the address.

"Where's that?"

"I dunno, you're the cabbie."

"Hey guy, I don't know every building in the city. Where is it close to?"

"I'm not sure. I just heard it was downtown."

"Ok, I'll drop you off in the city square. That's where most people from outta town wanna go."

As we get near to the destination, the traffic goes from mild to bothersome to atrocious. I wait patiently. I think we're almost there, anyways. It seems to take forever though.

We finally arrive, and I pay him. As I step out, I immediately notice that the buildings here are significantly taller. Some have tops that extend into the clouds. It feels very official here. I walk into the tallest tower I can find. Inside, there's no reception desk, just several banks of elevators, numbered in groups. The first is labeled 1-20, the next 21-40, and the last 41-60. For kicks, I decide to go to the last bank, and ride to the top. For some reason, the buttons only go up to 55, but that's good enough for me.

As the doors part, I am immediately greeted by a stunning view of the city. I can see extremely far, through all the suburbs, and beyond. I approach the windows, and notice the grandeur of this lobby. The ceilings are very high. The 55th floor must be at least two, maybe three, floors combined. Large sweeping staircases bank down from either side. I climb the one on the left.

At the top, there is a set of large double doors. I push through them. A hallway. I walk down it. Then into a conference room. There are dozens of people rushing around in suits and pantsuits, papers in their hands. Desks are laid out in pods in the middle of the room, with cubicles lining the walls, and enclosed offices in each corner. Several people are talking loudly into their phones. There’s an empty desk in one of the pods, so I sit down and start plugging away at the terminal there. I see all kinds of fancy charts and graphs. This is pretty fun, and it feels intuitive to me.

A tap on my shoulder, and I turn around to see a tall man with only a few wisps of hair combed over his head. He smiles at me. "You've got a knack for that."

"Yeah... I guess so."

"Would you like a job?"

"Maybe... it seems exciting here."

"It is! I've been coming here every day for 30 years. I love it."

"Wow. You don't mind the traffic?"

"I get here at 5am, which gives me time to get my own work done, before all this madness starts." He waves his hand to signal the room.

"Wow. But it's already getting late."

"Yeah, long days."

I look out the window, and the sun is already setting. Darkness has enveloped the sky, and now it's leaking into here. The fluorescent lights are doing their best to combat it, but in doing so they are attacking me too. They feel a bit harsh. I've only been here a short while, and they’re already bothering me.

"Yeah, thanks for the offer, but I got to be somewhere."

"Suit yourself. Here's my card."

I take it, and head back to the elevator lobby. It's sunset, and I'm nowhere closer to the where I'm supposed to be. The office was really swanky, and I liked the general atmosphere of professionalism, vigorous energy, and wealth-generation. I could do well for myself here. But I miss nature. I want to look at trees, and the sea. I miss the camaraderie of home. And of that pretty neighborhood I was in. And all the pretty girls there.

I leave the building and head back out to the street. People are bustling in the city square, many of them eating as they go, takeout chinese, or a hotdog, or a protein bar. A guy in a slick, modern trench coat walks by, carrying a briefcase. He looks important.

"Excuse me, sir?"

He keeps walking. I run to catch up to him. "Sir?"

"What's up?" He keeps walking.

"Do you know where 1992 Valparaiso street is?"

"19th block? You're pretty far away. You need to head north; that way." He gestures.

"Ok, thanks."

He keeps walking.

I start walking the other way. I think he pointed in this direction. It was kinda ambiguous though. Whatever, I'm young and I could use the exercise after sitting so long in that office.

After an eternity, I feel like I'm finally entering another district of the city. This one is quite stunning. There's a view of the bay, and the waves are sparkling. The buildings look like something from the future. All glass and no seems. Very sleek.

I want to get closer to the water, maybe dip my toes in. After a short walk, I see a pier. Just as I arrive, an orange Lamborghini pulls up and screeches to a stop, then parks, haphazardly. The doors open up. And I mean up. A guy steps out, wearing Kanye sneakers, tapered sweatpants, and a trench coat. It's the same guy from before.

"Hey! It's you."

"What's up."

"I didn't know you were headed this way."

"You didn't ask. Look, kid, I'm a busy guy. I gotta surf a couple waves before the workday starts." He turns away and starts fiddling with something inside.

I look out over the ocean and see a glorious sunrise, the orange even more vibrant than his car's paintjob.

"How did you pay for that?" I point to the Lamborghini.

“What?”

“Your car?”

"That? Easy."

"What do you do for work?"

"I don't work, kid, I build businesses."

"Damn."

"And then I get to play."

He pulls a surfboard out of the trunk, and walks down the pier. What a baller, I think to myself. I wonder if I could do that.

I follow him towards the beach, and see a group of girls in bikinis greet him. One of them slaps him on the butt. He stops for a moment to chat, and then keeps moving, and jumps into the water. I watch him duck dive a few waves. Then I lose sight of him. As I survey the other swimmers, and the stunning city behind it, I'm enthralled. It seems perfect here. I might just stay.

I start walking back towards the city, and lo and behold, trench coat guy is getting out of the water. He's done already?

I seem him hop in the car, still dripping with seawater.

"Wait!"

He rolls the window down. "Whats up."

"Where's 19th street?"

"You can't be serious. You're in the wrong part of town."

"What? You said it was this way."

"I said North, that's that way." He gestures, vaguely again.

"Where exactly is it?" I'm getting frustrated at this dickhead.

"Look, kid, why don't you just stay here?"

"Why?"

“You don’t need to go there. You could have what I have."

"What's that?"

"Everything."

"I thought you were gonna surf for longer..."

"Hey, I said a couple waves. My businesses aren't gonna run themselves."

"..."

"You wanna work for me? I could show you the way."

His offer is tempting. He really does seem to have it all—clothes, car, girls, an important job and time to play, in a gorgeous city. But is it just an illusion? Does he really only surf two waves every day? That seems absurd. Do those girls even like him? Does he even like running those businesses?

"Look, I gotta run. Here, take my card."

He throws the card at me like Gambit. As I stoop down to pick it up, the engine roars to life, and he peels out, whips a uey, and speeds off into the city.

Great.

Where the car was parked, I see a homeless man sitting on the pavement.

"You lookin for 19th screet?" hiccup

"Uhhh... yeah."

"You gotta take za train."

"What?"

"You're on za wrong stride of za city."

Dammit. I'm getting really tired of all this.

"Here, follow me. I know ze way. In fact! I waz going that way myself."

He picks up some trash bags and starts walking. This guy has absolutely nothing compared to trench coat guy, and yet he seems totally fine. Happy, even. I admire his minimalism.

We get to the train station, and he sits down on the ground again. I sit down next to him, but far enough away that I can't smell him. I'm pretty tired of all this walking. It feels somewhat peaceful to relinquish all those pretensions, and just sit on the ground like we used to.

A little while later, the train pulls up, and a conductor steps out onto the platform, wearing that old-timey uniform. "Willoughby! All aboard for Willoughby!"

I walk up to him. "Will this train take me to 1992 Valparaiso?"

"Precisely. Hurry on board now, sir."

"Great, thank God."

I get on the train, and the seats are totally full. Everyone here is dressed for the mountains. Hiking pants, boots, wool socks, beanies.

I walk past several aisles, until I finally see an open seat. The seat next to it is occupied by a cute blonde girl. She turns to me and her teeth shine. "Hey!"

"Hey yourself."

"You wanna seat?"

"Sure."

"C'mon!"

I sit down.

"I'm Alice!"

"Nice to meet you."

She's gorgeous. The train takes off, and we strike up a conversation. It's the easiest one I've ever had. She's funny, and clever, and full of energy. We laugh a lot. She has some crazy stories. I tell her about my journey so far too.

Every so often, we both look out the window and are struck dumb by the rugged silhouettes of the mountain range that we are passing. The sun is hitting them at just the right angle, turning them golden. Still, I can't help but stare at her sometimes, when she's looking that way. I don't know which view is more beautiful.

The train stops a couple of times, but I'm not paying attention. I'm more interested in Alice.

After a while, the conductor walks by. "Sir, the next stop is yours."

"Who, me?"

"Sir." He continues walking down the train.

I turn back to Alice. Her eyes are long. "Where are you going?"

"I'm headed to 1992 Valparaiso Street."

"Hah, you're joking."

"Uhh... no."

"You don't really believe in that, do you?"

"What do you mean?"

"It's not real."

"Why do you say that?"

"Have you ever actually been there?"

"No, not yet. I'm trying to get there."

"Listen to me." She grabs my hand, and places it in both of hers. "This. This is real."

"I know that."

"No, you don't."

The train comes to a stop.

The conductor is standing at the door, looking at me.

"I'm sorry, but I have to go."

"No you don't."

I stand up, getting ready to leave. But it's hard. I don't really know for sure that I want to go there anymore. I kinda want to stay with Alice. I want to go to the mountains, where all these people are going. But I have to get to Valparaiso... I’m torn.

"Last call." The conductor shouts. He's looking at me, impatiently.

"I really have to go."

She's holding on to my hand. "Don't go."

"I..." I try to pull away, but she's tugging on me.

"Wait."

I pull away, violently.

"Ow! That hurt."

"I'm sorry."

"...it's ok."

She seems to understand. But she doesn’t like it. She turns away and looks out the window. It's pouring rain out there. There's nothing to see.

"Hey, Alice, it was really nice to meet you..."

She turns back to me. "It was great to meet you too." She smiles.

I turn around, and can't see a thing. It's raining in here as well. Everything is blurry. I can barely make out the conductor, who motions me out. "Good day, sir."

I cross the gap and immediately the rain hits me, and in two seconds I'm drenched completely through. The train pulls away. I'm still weeping. There goes Alice. Did I just do the dumbest thing ever?

I pull out my wallet, and three cards spill out onto the ground. They are likewise soaked in a moment. It doesn't matter. I have to keep moving. I could never forget that address anyways: 1992 Valparaiso Street, Suite 612. I have to get there.

This part of the city is dirty, really dirty. And the rain is making it worse. But maybe if I get past this, things will be better once I’m closer to the address. And I feel I’m almost there. I’ve made it this far, at least.

I walk away from the platform, and I'm shivering and cold and broken. I have to keep moving. I think I'm nearly there. I keep walking. I keep going. I keep walking.

THE END