THE ELEVATOR
“What are you, a hooker? Where’s the rest of your pants?!”
“Oh, hello, you cannot shame someone for being in a profession that is recession-proof.”
“Idiot.”
“Asshole.”
“How are you doing with your research?”
“It is in progress.”
“You are taking so long, man. What are you doing? Are you even serious about your papers?”
“Yes, I am.”
“Then, what’s the problem?!”
“I think I can speak to the stones, and the weird thing is that they do reply.”
“OH MY GOD-AA!! No, you don’t.”
“I do. You never believe a word I say. I don’t like it.”
“Because, sweetheart, it is bullshit.”
“It is not, and I can.”
“This is not ordinary bullshit that you give daily. This is like super king-size bullshit.”
“Why are you always mean to me?!”
“Because you are full of crap.”
Zoe smiled.
“Do you want to walk or take the elevators? You can find potential customers in there.”
“Sure, but can we walk for now? I want to do a free show as well.”
“Sure. I just enjoy it like any other man.”
Zoe laughed.
“Okay, let’s take the elevator,” Zoe said.
“Okay. Zoe?!”
“Hmm?!”
“I was wondering, do you want to hear it?”
“Sure, I will also deny it, but yes.”
“If you think about it, you would find that religious people and non-religious people are the same.”
“What do you mean?”
“I’m not talking about agnostics or people who go, ‘I believe in God but don’t practise religion,’ no, I’m talking about legit religious people who dedicate their life to religion and legit non-religious people who resent religions, as they hate it.”
“How are they the same?!”
“They share the same characteristics.”
“Like?!”
“They both disregard the opposite belief system and enforce their own on others.”
“Oh, yeah!! Great observation.”
“Unlike your ‘I CAN TALK TO THE STONES.’”
“Fuck off!!”
They got inside the elevator. There was a couple and an old man.
“Potential customers,” Ortus whispered.
Zoe hit him with her elbow. Ortus could see the boy looking at Zoe through the reflection.
“My God!! He’s a fan,” Ortus said.
Zoe, embarrassed.
“Make it stop, please.”
“Do you still talk to the stones?”
“ORTUS!!” Zoe screamed in a whisper.
“Okay, it appears he’d dive into it.”
“Eww!! Couldn’t you be a little respectful? Would you do anything before he strips me down completely with his eyes? I’m not even sure how far he’s gone by now.”
Ortus switched places with Zoe. She looked down, embarrassed. He turned her face towards his, while he looked straight at the side of the boy’s face. Soon, the boy started looking everywhere but at Zoe; he dared not to look at Ortus, who wasn’t even blinking.
“Zoe, could you tell me more about the stone, please? I am very eager to hear about it”
Zoe smiled.