Chapter nine: Lucky Baby Ducky, Acid Fish

A Friday like every other; the only difference being the change of the season, as Rowland stood behind the counter awaiting another customer.

He decided to work today, not really sure why apart from being sure he had nothing better to do and figured why not seeing as he got paid for it.

A day had past uneventfully but Rowland still coursed with new found confidence in his own work and felt that this was truly what he wanted. A new bounce in his step was apparent accompanied by a smile he tried to hide that would shine every now and then; revealing the dimples that Charlotte loved about his grin and for the first time in what he believed was a while, he felt something other than...nothing or the hum drum emotions of the motions of everyday things.

Rowland felt that he was stifled by the slow response time of his everyday life although only catching a glimpse of what could be for a day.

He had a new taste for life, although a sip.

In just two days he believed to had found himself not only in a hell of a lucky streak but also, a companion apart from his beloved...he thinks. But as Rowland looked back at the memories of the house he could feel the sudden loom of doubt among other things he had locked away along with it. Finding himself still sceptical of Nick's arrival of promises as he momentarily stops himself from tapping his toe at the possible reality of all of this being a lie and that he somehow was coxed by a charming and yet maniacal mad man who even; ("in an extreme case") could be the one who killed all those people, including one of them possibly being Oliver, Rowland's stomach flipped.

The possibilities of things going wrong ran ramped in his mind but couldn't go far enough as to unnerve him, for he was too excited. Rowland may have been tired but he was excited and couldn't wait to start on planning a photoshoot that fit his theme of choice that which he has felt so strong about since the bon fire.

Two ladies walked in having parked across the street in a little blue beetle holding two surf boards; squeezed between two other vehicles along the busy streets by the cross roads that which the café stood; It was a near miss as they parked, near a ill mannered jaguar which was parked liked it owned the road.

Laughing and talking, dressed down with sun glasses and sun tans to match for the few warm days of summer that were still left. Rowland stood up straight from his leaning position and greeted;

"Morning, can I take your order?"

Which the girls then stated, sat down and waited at a table close to the counter seated for two. They ordered three beverages, they were quite fair and elegant, so Rowland took an interest to see how their faceless third might look like for boredom's sake as the ladies informed him that their other would pay. Creating a pool of bets in his head on weather it was a woman or a guy and judging by the drinks; (one green tea and apple smoothie, one black knight Chi tea and chocolate and one black coffee), a total nose-in-the-air snob. He was just being bored...

He too then waited for their orders as no one else came after them in the busy cafe. He took note of the clock's miniature steps in time, spotting another customer through the large display windows of the shop.

It was surprisingly, Nick, walking with his hands in his pockets with a careless sway in his stature; his dark yet tasteful fashion sense never seemed to wane. Meeting half way with two other gentlemen who approached the shop from the opposite direction. He flashed a smile and opened the door for the other two men silently before entering after their thanks, a few heads turned to his direction as he walked in. He walked to the counter and wafted the familiar and burnt scent of roses as he exchanged handshakes with Rowland.

"Morning, bright eyes.", Nick greeted while sharing a short glance at someone behind Rowland, who possibly was staring at either him or his pastel purple eye that looked better than expected as he took his sun glasses off.

Rowland wasn't so hot for the new apparent nickname; 'bright eyes'. Rowland found that his eyes for him were his worst quality; having believed that he inherited his father's and it was definitely just peculiar that he kept bringing them up. It didn't help that he spoke with his eyes, he's been told; being a quiet child, he always communicated with his mother that way, and it simply stuck as a habit.

He looked down for a moment reflectively before catching a smile and greeting back;

"Yo man, don't you have somewhere to be?", Rowland joked.

"Yeah, and right now it's right here.", Nick replied with that confident smirk of his and continued; "I'm actually here for some-."

"Coffee..?", Rowland cut him off to ask, having heard that word at least fifteen times that hour.

"Actually, I'm already spoken for just came to pick it up.", Nick pointed to the drinks that were slid into Rowland's peripheral vision in a cardboard cup holder just he pointed out. Rowland assumed he somehow charmed the ladies into his weird and unknown web of that or the other but said nothing about it at first.

'like... How on earth did that happen?!', Rowland thought genuinely confused as to how he even knew these women.

"I also figured you'd actually want to come along with me and Charlotte tomorrow night, 'little get together."

Rowland stood there for a moment thinking; " You mean the one you guys were talking about the other day..?", he then thought of how easily Nick made himself at home in his life and with his girlfriend no less, despite the fact that they haven't even exchanged phone numbers yet.

Nick had just interested him in a good time and where ever he seemed to be was a good possibility to be Rowland's perspective, judging by previous experience.

He also figured that with Charlotte; someone like Nick couldn't be trusted despite the fact that they're so close already, much to Rowland's reluctance, though he knew she was her own person, she just couldn't be shared.

He selfishly desired to start his weekend on a high note though (be it as it may that he meant that literally, they both did in fact).

"I'm game. Where? ", Rowland asked.

"My place.", Nick replied. "I'll pick you up. You're place?"

"Nah, I'll actually be here.", Rowland stated, rubbing the back of his head; internally crumbling due to his laziness; sighing deeply.

"You sigh a lot...", Nick randomly stated, looking at Rowland the way his therapist used to, a calculated glare of examination.

"What..?", Rowland asked avoiding eye contact.

"No no,just...something I've noticed.", he replied, still tracing his face through subtly narrowed eyes of scrutiny. That was before he decided to not got after one week and then, never again.

"Party starting a little early, eyyy ?", Rowland changed the subject, stretching the last part of his sentence to emphasise as he gave a slick smile directing his attention to the women that came in earlier.

"Yeah, but not like that, man.", Nick huffed deeply, stroking his chin as the wheels turned in his dirty mind; " They're just a few wayward travelers looking for some down time with a couple of other friends back at the house."

So the party was starting early.

Rowland tucked the receipt for his electronic payment between two of the beverages and handed Nick the three drinks as he said; "I'll take you're word for it, bro." chuckling rhythmically in sarcasm.

"Whatever, man.", Nick said as he readied to leave for the ladies' table. Greeting these beautiful strangers as if long time friends once he reached their table, leaving Rowland to his job and the temptation to eaves drop on the three's conversation. Watching as they got up from their seats, the two girls hoping hopelessly for his individual attention; seemingly babbling on about themselves amongst themselves as Nick seemed to have nothing to say.

Watching as he took note of how everyone he cared to notice treated Nick as if he was a close and approachable person, yet he came off so... Odd, Rowland couldn't place it; everyone seemed so comfortable around Nick, as the girls asked him questions like two curious toddlers who took a liking, watching them walk out as one of the ladies clung close around Nick's right arm for further physical contact.

'Thirsty much, sweetheart? that drink you're holding is for you.', Rowland thought aloud, talking to himself as he watched the three of them part ways just outside the door; they were taking their conversation obviously elsewhere.

Rowland was then left to wonder on his own what exactly went on in Nick's inner circles, he was so curious about what interesting people Nick has met with before and wondered how exactly he got into drugs, what kind of drugs and if he'll find out for himself tonight as well as what Nick has seen or done before he even set foot in this sun drenched hole of nothing called Shell City. He was an numinous tune that played in Rowland's head which made him slightly...

"Curiouser and curiouser." Rowland whispered under his breath, going back to his ordinary world in this caffeine filled box stuffed with ordinary and caffeine filled people, some of which who mainly came for the free Wi-Fi, of course.

He figured while he waited for time, Rowland would start to tally the cash register, Wishing that the hours of this last day of the week as well as normality would end.

But instead, seconds seeped into minutes, which bled into hours and Rowland found himself wondering if washing dishes was any better than this, for he did admit it kept him a lot more busy and took his mind off of time.

*****

The sun sat low behind the ocean and Rowland sat by a corner booth tallying the month's worth carefully. He'll admit that he was no mathematician but knew that he was good with money, (everyone is).

Before he leaves he remembered to restock all supplies used and bought on the counter such as straws, spoons and the like before Nick arrived to pick him up.

And when he did, Rowland knew his weekend was saved from the fiend called boredom as he left the clipboard in his boss's office and ditched his apron.

When he got into the car and as soon as he closed the door Nick sped off with enthusiasm in the direction of a road that linked to the highway.

"What's the rush?", Rowland asked while his body sunk in the leathery car seat. Clutching it's sides like a cat on a flimsy branch as the once patient roars of the car grew gruff.

"I'm the host, missing in action.", Nick replied. "Promised my guests...a kind of sushi that they've been waiting for since this morning. "

"Mkay.", Rowland said plainly. His arms stiff by his sides.

"Then, why didn't you just make them in the morning?", Rowland enquired.

"Because I didn't have what I needed to make this specific type of sushi. Plus, your girlfriend wouldn't let me without knowing if you were in." Nick replied coolly, in contrast to his speedy pace, Rowland kept hold of his seat. Nick glanced at him and noticed how uncomfortable his speed made him;

"Why, can't handle a bit of speed?", Nick asked with a smile on his face, slowly accelerating furthermore to Rowland's dismay. Rowland sunk further into his seat until his chest was at knee height.

"Dude, no.", Rowland said tensely, clenching his jaw with widening his eyes.

'If I go out like this, then it's been pretty boring.', he thought to himself as he mentally wrote his imaginary will.

"No what, you mean this..?", Nick said as he started to swerve through cars that seemed to stand still at this point, hoots and honks warped as they sped passed any car that crossed Nick's path, speeding closer to their destination as Nick then gradually slowed down, full on laughing at Rowland at this point.

He caught his breath and said: "Shit dude, I just... I just had to.", finishing off with a sigh of content.

Rowland looked at him with surprise and frustration, frustration at the fact that he didn't listen when he said slow down and for the possible heart attack he almost gave him in going even faster.

"Jesus Christ, mate! Are you trying to kill us both?", Rowland said as he held his chest and figured he needed to curb his usage of caffeine as a stimulant for everyday use.

The car had slowed down to a cruise by this point of the drive, as when they approached a quiet residential area further north, filled with large houses inspired by wealth and prestige; highlighted by fancy lights on front porches and separated by tall concrete walls and grand cast iron gates to match such mansions, and as they slowed to a stop at one of these particular homes further down to the street on his left. Nick silently pressed a button on a remote that Rowland never noticed dangled on his keys, activating the automatic gate upon doing so. He rolled the car passed the threshold tangled by vines and thick perennials that started to change colour, until he stopped in front of one of two garage doors, although it was open.

"Welcome to my humble abode." Nick said as he opened his door, getting out.

Rowland's eyes never stayed in one place for too long as they rolled over everything they saw. The house had a modern cubism and open feel to it, while the entrance garden was an organised mess of jungle like plantations, trees and flowers, finally closing his door and holding his gaze upon a large black and yellow garden spider resting on it's web motionlessly.

"This way." Nick directed Rowland through the open garage door only to pass through another which led them to the kitchen scullery.

Rowland sat on one of three chairs placed behind one of his dark marble counters once he made his way through the kitchen and past the island counter top where Nick momentarily obstructed his pathway.

Overlooking the dinning area and the pool; which lay behind a large glass wall, he heard loud rhythmic thumps of far away music somewhere past the wall that separated the dinning room area and entertainment room. He turned his attention to the host;

"Pushing and poetry paid for all this?" Rowland teased.

"Nah." Nick chuckled; "I'm what they call a lucky baby ducky." he said it with a cheesy smile on his face before grabbing his apron and then leaving to wash his hands.

"Trust fund baby?", Rowland asked, getting confirmation from Nick by a subtle nod and hum in agreement.

Nick silently grabbed this and that and continued to rummage within his kitchen draws, Rowland looked around and spotted things that decorated the walls and floors of Nick's house which all seemed to have a forgotten quality to them; as if these were ancient antiquities splayed about his house; some looked polished or replenished while others looked dusty and time-consumed. A beautiful three piece mural of a Koifish with traditional Japanese quality rested slightly tattered and burned on a wall that connected the open spaces that were the dinning room and the living room, within the living room above the fireplace, the entire wall was decorated with kabuki masks in rows of three with the odd one out being an Aoi no Oni kabuki mask as well as African shields and weapons lay harmlessly against a wall behind the living room seating area.

Three small masks sat above a clock on the dark mute navy grey wall of the tastefully organised kitchen; they looked African but not enough and a bit older judging by their aged discoloration and unrecognizable patterns of either hieroglyphs or symbols of some sort as Nick scratched through his bright candy red refrigerator.

The entire house held a dark colour palette right down to the very tiles and wood, not to mention the pool itself.

" Very... American Psycho of you." Rowland said looking around, Nick ha-ha'd and retorted;

"'Actually bought it as is, the rest of the stuff is mine.", he said referring to the scattered items and possibly the furniture that matched the dark shades; and though the colour scheme was dark and cold, the rooms were well lit and warm, comfortably so.

"So where's the party, and where's Charlotte?" Rowland queried, tapping his hands on the cool marvel counter top as his head twisted and turned to scrutinise all that his eyes came across.

"You ask a lot of questions." Nick said, peacefully preparing sushi rolls with rolled up sleeves; revealing the strange beads he was found with around both wrists the very first time Rowland cared to notice.

"Y'know, I guess I'm just curious or whatever." Rowland shrugged his shoulders, not seeing why he would bring it up.

"Just follow the music." he swayed his head in the direction of the pool area. But just as he swiveled his chair about to leave he noticed the fish Nick sliced meticulously and swiveled back;

"That's not salmon..." he said indefinitely.

"No, it is not." Nick smiled mischievously; "We're gonna party like it's 285 CE.", his smile widening charmingly as he sat a quaint side dish neatly decorated with smaller sushi rolls than expected.

" How on earth did you come about thi- ow.", Rowland reached for one and Nick suddenly hit his hand with the handle of a knife he held.

"I'm not done with these, I suggest you say hi, stranger.", he said referring to the other guests; "And I'm pretty sure your girlfriend's outside."

"Apart from Charlotte, I don't see why I would do that.", Rowland said, rubbing his hand.

"Either way, you gotta show face to let her know you're here.", Nick stated as an unseen probability, further dressing and displaying the now three plates filled with sushi. Rowland sighed and got up; "Fine, Jeez. Mom..."

Swiveling out of his chair with much reluctance due to his social disability; coolly walking off to find his social butterfly, Charlotte; who when found, was chatting with a handsome and androgynous queen with long lashes and a fitting lip gloss along with Go-Go boots that ran along their long legs; the colour of which matched their thick black hair that went beyond shoulder length with a well groomed beard to match.

A lot more people were in the back yard than what Rowland expected, he figured there was no need for him to waste his time talking to people he didn't know, so he walked straight towards Charlotte's group of friends.

Once she noticed him, she stopped mid conversation and jumped up to hug him. She kissed him on the cheek and he grabbed her close, she stood clinging to one side while he stood embracing her by the waist as she announced Rowland's presence to her gaggle as they greeted. She continued her conversation, he just stood there silently listening; feeling just as included without the need to speak.

Rowland suddenly remembered something;

"What is 'bubbles'?" he looked down at Charlotte and asked.

"Nick's actually preparing it right now.", she looked up and quietly answered him.

"Wait, so 'bubbles' is actually a fish... I don't understand. Is the drug in the fish or..? ", he asked, interested.

"It's an actual fish.", she nodded her head and put a strand of hair behind her ear.

"Nick showed me this cute little fish that apparently, if you eat it, you experience a high for over six hours. Like a little...acid fish." she said with glee and excitement as she looked behind Rowland and herself for any sign of Nick.

"Holy shit, really? I have to see this.", he said amazed, he contemplated weather he would partake in this supposed psychedelic trip; it was either that or booze. (he left his stash at home and hated himself for it).

"You gonna join? ", he asked Charlotte as a form of a second opinion on whether he would be up for the challenge.

"I usually don't try out what I sell but Nick convinced me it would be fun. Y'know, like a one time thing.", she shrugged nonchalantly.

'Hell, I can't even convince you to stop stealing my jackets.', Rowland thought, but with that being said Rowland took her word for it and decided to join her on this journey.

"It'll be one hell of a quality check.", Rowland smiled.

"Did you smoke or anything like that before you came?", Charlotte looked up at him.

"No why? ", Rowland rubbed her shoulder as he pressed her against his side.

"Nah no I'm just, I just always start on a clean slate before I, y'know.", she then squeezed herself closer as she shrugged her shoulders and pecked him once again.

Nick came out with only one of the three trays with his left hand placed on his lower stomach humbly and silently announcing his presence.

"Argh, finally.", Charlotte joked turning herself around in Rowland's arm to face Nick as he came closer.

"Ha Ha. bite me. I actually rushed these okay, I'm not proud of that.", he said teasing back.

"Tempting...", said the long haired queen referring to Nick being on some type of menu in their head while winking at him. Nick smiled and turned his attention to her;

"Thank you. I really do appreciate that.", he held his gaze on her as the sounding people within the group started to whoo and whistle as Nick bashfully continued to quiet and settle everyone down;

"For those who wish to partake...", he bowed his torso as people who weren't drunk or tipsy flocked to take a small sushi roll for the expedition; " Think happy thoughts, people.", he said, flashing a commercial smile as if advertising.

Nick left their circle and made his rounds throughout the back yard; socialising effortlessly as he waltzed around his house like a king among the commonwealth making polite conversation with those he crossed paths with; either leaving them smiling or with a sushi roll or both. Rowland watched before going back to his own business, holding a sushi roll of his own. Charlotte called for his attention;

"You ready?", she asked with a naughty smile on her face.

"Let's get weird.", Rowland said, holding the roll like a glass of wine above his head as they both proceeded to make a 'clink' noise with their mouths and continued to consume the tiny rolls in one swift bite. At first, nothing happened until, suddenly in the midst of conversation, their group's attention was grabbed by a guy falling into the pool with a loud splash. And then everyone suddenly became...colourful, bubbles coming out of anyone who was speaking's mouth as if he was breathing underwater; Rowland shook his head as if he could shake the vivid colours out of his eyes. He looked at Charlotte, who was already rolling on the floor; pawing at thin air like cat with a yarn ball. He was tempted to join her, and so he did as the beat of the music was all he could hear. While people around them blurred out and into light and fluffy splotches of colours and patterns while cartoon characters ran around the pool. He turned to face Charlotte and played with her smooth red hair, which was blue now and to only him.

"Char, your hair is blue." he said it with a delayed response of excitement followed by a weird and slow snigger. She turned to him and tried to spot her new imaginary hair colour change on her short cut hair like a dog chasing it's tail, they both laughed and gagged at how she looked.

"Shit, man...dizzy.", is all she could say as Rowland was dying of laughter.

Sylvester the cat tried to catch Tweety without touching the water and Rowland's mind was completely stretched out of proportion at this point. He looked at the grass and the grass danced with small green faces filled with Disney land glee which he rubbed his face into. The grass blades were blunt and soft unlike any other grass he had ever felt (although, a sober person would say otherwise) and laid there. He watched as something that looked like Nick playfully tossed unicorns, doughnuts and flamingo floats and rubber ducks on the water that which exclaimed in glee and they fell into the pool. Each and everyone of them were alive in Rowland's hallucinogenic filled mind as Daffy Duck tried to get his attention as he watched Porky Pig watch helplessly as Silvester tried to help catch Tweedy, finally falling in with a little sploosh.

Tweedy sat on a strangers hat and laughed.

He was so far into his head as people and shapes and cats and dogs danced in vivid colours.

Only one hour down and five more to go...