Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (Act I)

Oh boy! Where the heck do I begin with THIS one people! I guess I should just start at the beginning, so here we go! Buckle yourselves in for the scariest ride of your life! A man with two VERY different personalities!

Technically, it was Valentine’s Day. I’d gone out on the 13th, but it was now after midnight, and it sounds more romantic to say it happened on V-Day. Anywho… I was out with my girl Julie. (BTW, like my 10 best friends are ALL named Julie, so don’t get confused. I guess I chose them as friends because it makes it easy on me to remember their names. Like there was a name shortage from 1975-1982). We attending the most high-profile event in Capital City, as we had been doing so for the last 5 years. I saw this older gentleman as I passed through the halls earlier. I noticed him noticing me, so I had to put him on mental notice. He was nice looking. Not generally my type, but I was trying to expand my horizons and try new things. But I never saw him again for the rest of the night.

 

The night was finally over and Julie and I were putting on our coats. I had not seen my sexy stranger since our passing in the hallway. Then, like a stealth bomber, he sneaks up behind me and says “Here’s my card. Call me some time.” And just as quickly as he came, he was gone. POOF! Right into thin air! I did not get a good look at his face, but caught a glimpse of his distinct facial hair. I searched the room for this mystery man, but he was nowhere to be found.

  

I was about to dismiss him as a crazy man preying upon beautiful, young women such as myself. That’s the kind of event this was anyway. Although it was supposed to be professional, the politicians, top executives, etc., will hunt for an easy score. Especially among delusional young women who will be impressed by their resumes.

 

Just as I was going to rip his card into pieces, Julie stops me and says “Oh! That’s John Sapoloco! Guuuuuurrrrrl!!! You need to CALL him!” She then gave me a synopsis of his bio. Older man, one adult child, great job, owns several houses. “Okay,” I say, “I guess he can take me out to lunch.” When we get back to Julie’s I text John. We agree to meet for lunch after church. Lunch… on Valentine’s Day!

 

I arrived at his five-star hotel after a beautiful church service. Waiting for him in the lobby by the fireplace. Finally, he comes down and apologizes for being so late but says he had a major crisis he had to handle at work. It’s okay with me because he did call me to tell me and I was reading the paper cozied up by the fire.

 

John and I dine at the hotel’s restaurant, sharing great food and conversation. We talked for several hours over shrimp and steak. I had been to this beautiful hotel several times before for events, but had never seen a room. So he asked if I wanted to see his. I know, it sounds kinda prostitutish, but Miss Scarlett ain’t that kinda chick! We sat in his room for hours, telling the stories of our lives. He had worked on pretty much every presidential campaign in the last 20 years. He’d never been married and was looking to settle down. He’d served in the military and in the streets and had the wounds to prove it. He was smart, handsome and charming. Our lunch was just about to turn to dinner. But he had to get dressed to attend the black tie affair, which I was not attending. We agreed to meet up at the party after.

 

Later that night, he’s chatting with a friend and colleague. I come up to him and he stops his conversation, gives me a hug, and introduces me to his buddy. “This is the lovely young lady I was telling you about!” John says excitedly to his friend. Then he continues, “We got married this morning!” I try not to choke on my drink and quickly ask “Where’s my ring then?” They both get a chuckle out of that and his friend offers to find a 24-hour pawn shop. “It’s okay. I can wait until morning so we can go to Tiffany’s” I say.

 

John then takes my hand and whisks me away to the dance floor. After several twirls around the floor, he says he wants to take me around and introduce me to his friends and some very important people. I think about it, but decide it’s probably not in his or my best interest to go meet these people after knowing him for just under 24 hours. I didn’t want him to look flighty if this didn’t work out and I already knew a few people that he may have introduced me to. “I’d love to John, but my feet really hurt.” Yes, I used that old standby. “Oh, it’s ok,” he replies, “Let me give you some money to go buy some drinks.”  I really wanted to take that money and put it toward my shoe fund, but instead I do the right thing and tell him I’m only drinking water.

 

The evening came to an end, and he insisted on taking me out to breakfast. So I suggest one of my favorite diners that he, as a visitor to Capital City, had never been to. Normally he would dine on a road adjacent to his hotel and had suggested we eat at Denny’s. I told him this place in the opposite direction was 100 times better. We get there, and John loves the atmosphere and before even ordering declares he will let his co-workers know about this great little diner. I sit down in the booth, and he slides in next to me. That’s how we dine. His arm around me the whole time.  

 

When we’re finished, he raves about how WONDERFUL the food and the service was… and leaves a $2 tip. The bill was at least $20, so that was less than a 10% tip. Seeing this, I tell him “Whoopsies! I dropped my glove! You go ahead to the register, I’ll be right there!” And quickly through the only two singles I had in my teeny tiny wallet on the table to give the wonderful waitress a more respectable tip of about 18%. Still not what I would have tipped her, but at least it wasn’t a figurative slap in the face. I think his tipping is odd, but figure he just doesn’t know. Although I don’t really see how it could be possible. I mean, a highly successful, professional man, over the age of 25 MUST know that you should tip at least 15%. But I just shrug it off as somehow he slipped through the cracks, and began devising ways to secretly address this issue. I figured it’s just one flaw. Not a deal breaker. But if I had only known it was only the beginning of a whole mess of mental issues with this man!

 

So now my friends, we have come to the end of Act I in this gruesome tale of deception and disappointment! Stay tuned for the harrowing conclusion of… DR. JEKYLL & MR. HYDE!!! (Dun-dun-DUUUUUUUUUUN!!!)

 

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