#<--- technically

Life wasn’t always this way. People haven’t always been full of hate, there will always be a time before now and after now where people can love freely, no matter what. But that time isn’t now, and that’s alright. 

April 23, 1926

I woke up early, as I always do, for my job at the diner. It’s a Friday for once and I’m working the damn opening shift. I work at this little place, Chez Dubois, run by of course; Mr. and Mrs. Dubois. A lovely older couple who employed me because they had known me for quite some time through my mother, may she rest in peace. I dressed myself in the morning light peaking in through the curtains, yellow and green dance across the floor like a pair of lovers lost in the moment. But despite the beauty of it all I still need to dress myself and dress myself I will. I put on a soft blue work dress after my slip, then my stockings, and I slid on my shoes, snug as ever from years of wear, and moved on to my hair. I pin it up on both sides because it was clean and didn’t want to waste a good look, I was going out that night anyway.

The walk was long as ever, though it was better in the morning, less hot and a little more breezy. Work was nothing new, starting the coffee, serving the regulars, avoiding the creeps, and seeing the tourists come and go, either on their way to the beach or stopping in to see family and doing the whole “trip to new orleans” shebang. But when you live here you know it can be slow as ever if you run in the right group. But that’s not really where I land here, being a young woman and all. After work I headed home and by then it was around one in the afternoon, so nothing too bad for foot traffic, just the shoppers and mothers out with their children. And as I got home I did some cleaning for my daddy, and I straightened up where my siblings had been over the night before. I could have moved out long ago, but I stayed to help my father, all my sisters have husbands and my brothers have wives, so it was sensible for me to stay to help rather than them. It’s not too bad, I cook and clean, and live as though I lived alone, only now and then facing the drunken man that my father is.

Now the sun is going down, it’s around seven thirty and I’m about to head out to meet one of my girls. She’s invited me to come out with her tonight (per usual to Fridays when she needs a friend), so I obviously accepted, considering that whether I stay home or go out I’ll be smelling booze. At least this way I can get some, and maybe have a little fun. Hell, I might even perform tonight like she’s been beggin’ me to for the last month or so since she heard me sing drunkenly last time she actually got me to drink. Walking down the street at night is always interesting, it’s a combination of couples and groups of men and women shooting quick looks at each other in hopes to catch the other’s eye. Always a good time. As I draw near I can hear the loud jazz band coming from the “lounge”, and of course, as promised there she is waiting for me outside. But this time she’s waiting with someone, maybe a date, possibly? As I come up to them I can see him clearer, a tall, lean, man dressed to the tens, with a smile like I ain’t ever seen and dark skin and darker curls on his head. Presumably mixed, as far as I can tell, but that ain’t important. He’s familiar though.

“Marceline! Hey hon! Oh I missed you, it feels like I haven’t seen you in forever!” she always does that, over exaggerates because of excitement. “Hey Mimzy, what’ve you been up to in the two weeks I didn’t see you on Friday?” She laughs at the joke like it’s the funniest thing she’s ever heard, “Oh hon nothing much, a man here and there, but mostly talking to this one.” She gestures to the man at her side, and I start to think maybe she’s starting to settle down. But that thought is immediately dismissed as she leans in to whisper in my ear, “I’ve been talking to him about you honey.” Oh. Well that’s definitely new, ain’t it? His eyebrows raise and his cheeks flush a little, I think he heard her. “Well come on you two! Let’s go inside, that’s where all the fun is!” We walk inside to look for a table, the man following beside me, and then he starts talking, and now I know why he’s familiar. “She’s very bold isn’t she?” The radio host every girl has been talking about since they heard his voice. Didn’t know he was a colored man, I wonder how people would react if they knew. “Yes, I suppose she is” I smile as I talk, can’t scare him off quite yet, Mimzy is fast, but picky when it comes to me, so he must be decent at least. “Quite the charmer” I say sarcastically in hopes to make him laugh a little, he’s a funny man, I need to show him I have humor too. He chuckles at my remark, “Very much so, Alastor by the way. Alastor Hartfelt. Pleasure to meet you dear, what is your name?” A gentleman I see, I hold my hand out for a soft shake, he takes it as I introduce myself, “Marceline Valverde, pleasure’s all mine Mr. Hartfelt.” He scoffs, “Oh please none of that darling, you are a new acquaintance, not a business partner, and trust me I have enough of the Mr’s at work” I giggle at his words, he seems to be a very theatrical man, on and off air. “Well, my apologies, Alastor.” In our introductions I almost forgot Mimzy was with us, Alastor is a very captivating man to say the least. “Oh good, a table, Lina, I’m sure Al introduced himself and pretty much made you do the same?” I nodded “Oh good, so tall, dark, and creepy already told you his name, first and last?” I laughed, “Yes Mimzy. Don’t worry he’s been perfectly fine in the one minute we’ve been looking for a table.” “Well good, come sit Clarence is over here too.” Who’s that? A new man maybe? “Who?” “Oh a new fella friend I’ve found since I last saw you.” Spot on.

My face scrunched up at the scent of smoke filling my lungs, great, Clarence smokes. The smoker fella is one of them with the slicked back hair and the high collar, must have money. That makes sense for her, she’s been talking about wanting a new dress, might as well get what she wants I guess. “Hi there! I’m Clarence! Lovely to meet you my lady, and fancy seeing you here Mr. Hartfelt!” Huh, they know each other, how about that. “Clarence, my fine man, how have you been?” I wonder how they met, work maybe? “I’ve been good sir, but let me tell you I haven’t seen an audition the same since yours.” Audition? Mister smoker probably worked at the radio station. “Ah thank you, I do appreciate that. How do you know Mimzy here?” As he says this Mimzy moves to scoot in the booth next to Clarence, so I take that as my signal to sit on the other side. He moves his arm around her waist as she sits, and Alastor sits next to me in the booth seat. “Well, we met when I got back in town here just a few days ago. Let me tell you I was quick to introduce myself to this pretty lady.” He’s actually interested in her, maybe he’ll get her to settle, she’s been the talk of the town for her- promiscuity. Clarence continued talking, “And what about you, is this your girl here?” I freeze at his words, before either of us could speak up, Mimzy did instead, “Oh no hon they ain’t together, I’m hoping I can change that though.” Oh dear, I have to say something about this, “Mimzy! Goodness girl, so brazen. No Mister Clarence we aren’t together, we’ve just met tonight.” Maybe I shouldn’t have been too upfront, he looks a little embarrassed, “Oh, my apologies sweetheart, didn’t mean to offend. I forget your kind are upsettable.” My kind? What’s that supposed to mean? I look at Mimzy, she looks confused. I turn to Alastor, “I’m sorry if you don’t mind, I need to go to the ladies’ room. If you’ll excuse me. Mimzy?” “Ah of course dear.” As he moves out of the way I get up and bring Mimzy with me. I speed us to the bathroom, because lord am I fuming. I quickly shut and locked the door, “Pardon my language hon but what the hell was that? What did he mean ‘my kind?’” She still looks confused, “Lina, I’m afraid I don’t understand, I believe he was just referring to you.” “It’s fine, you’re right I’m sure it’s nothing” It’s not nothing, but I can’t hold her up, “I’m sorry, come on let’s get back to the boys.” I open the door so we can both leave and am greeted by the lovely sight of Clarence coming to ‘check on us’- great. God can he not just back up for a minute, I’ve hardly met this man and he’s already insufferable. “Hello girls… Mimzy, might I borrow you for a second?” Wonderful. “Oh, why yes dear.” Oh look at that, they’re going back to the bathroom. I make my way back across the floor back to the booth in hopes that Alastor hasn’t been flocked by women so I might have a change of pace. And well would you look at that, he’s just shoo’ed off a woman. He sees me from across the floor and locks eyes with me, I smile at him and he waves me back over. “Clarence and Mimzy- talking?” At least he knows, “Yeah… he’s ‘borrowing her’” He lets out a small ‘hmph’ noise, “How classy.” I laugh at his remark, “I suppose one could say that, if you're trying to be nice.” And to my surprise, he guffaws, he must have thought that was very comical. “Well, while they’re doing god knows what in the bathroom, would you like a drink, and perhaps a dance as well?” Well I never. Alright mister radio man. “You know what, I would very much like that.” “Alright then, shall we move to the bar?” I’m starting to like this one here. “Absolutely” He stands, and before I can even get the chance to stand on my own, he offers his hand. I accept, and move my hand to the crook of his arm as we walk to the bar.

He pulls out the stool for me to sit, not too close, but not too far, just right. He sits on my right and calls the bartender over, and he gestures to me to order first. “I’ll have a mary pickford, thank you.” “A sazerac for me, thanks.” As he moves to make our drinks Alastor turns to me, “So, you seem familiar to me, I’m not sure why but I feel like I’ve seen you somewhere.” Strange, “You know I had the same feeling about you actually, how bizarre. I’m sure we’ve crossed paths before in town or something.” He adjusts his shirt sleeves as our drinks are placed down in front of us, we thank the man and start to sip on them. And now I’ve had a thought, “Did you used to attend church at the old chapel over near Ray’s?” His face lights up, “Yes! Indeed I did, I used to go with my mother as a child, I assume you did as well?” I knew it, “Yeah, interesting, small world I guess.” “Very.” We sit in silence for a split second, just listening to the band on stage, no singer, just raw music. Then he speaks up, “Pardon me for being so bold, but I must say you are quite the beautiful woman.” I choke on my drink a little, “Oh, thank you.” He has more to say I’m sure, “And if you don’t mind me asking, I noticed your last name was fairly uncommon, where are you from?” There it is. “Well, my mother was from Panama, and my father is white.” Great, now he has reason to reject me. “How interesting! That’s in Central America no?” That’s not the usual response. “Yes, it is actually! And if you don’t mind, how about you?” “My mother was actually Haitian Creole, and my father was white as well. So don’t worry, I don’t judge you or your family, I get it.” That’s… different, “Well, aren’t you a good change of pace, that’s not the response I usually get.” He lights up when I say this, “Well I do like to be the difference in people’s lives, and I’m glad to be that for a lovely woman like yourself.” I smile a bit at his compliment, and though I’m sure it’s just the charm, it’s still nice. “Now, how about that dance?” The moment was over before it even began, “Hey now, save some for the rest of us sugar!” There they are, “That’s quite a long talk you had there, important I assume?” She winks at me, “Very, but hon you should check the time, it’s getting kind of late, and you have a lunch outing tomorrow.” I’m sorry what? “With who?” “Me silly! We have a lot to talk about. Before she can get too far in this conversation, the smoker interjects, “Ah, let them have their fun. If you do that, it means we can have some fun back at your place.” Gross. But Alastor saves the moment, “Ah no, Mimzy is right dear, it is late, and I have the morning broadcast tomorrow at nine. But how about this, I walk you home, and we let them have their- fun.” Way to keep that from going downhill, “That sounds good actually.” I turn to pay for my drink, but there’s already money on the counter, “Don’t worry I’ve got that.” “Oh, thank you Alastor.” “No problem darlin’ ”. 

The walk home is quiet, small talk here and there, me directing him where to go and where to turn. It isn’t a long walk, but it isn’t short, and somewhere in that not long not short walk he offered his arm, and I accepted. Walking home with a man isn’t what I planned for the night, but when does life go the way I plan? But this was good, very good. We stop in front of my home, all the lights off, I can see my father has gone to bed, or possibly passed out while drinking his sorrows away. “Well, this is it, good night Alastor, I had a very nice time tonight, even if we didn’t get that dance.” He smiles and gives my hand a soft kiss, “I’ve had a very nice time as well cher, I’m glad to know you, and I look forward to getting to know you more. Good night.” I turn to walk inside, and as I do, I couldn’t be more smitten for a man I’ve just met, let alone one Mimzy introduced me to. 

This is the original image. The angle was uhhhhh.............simething. LMAO. also massive jumpscare from where i went by NCX....