Love in Transition part 1

            John Trect walked down Oak Street in the city of Dark City. Despite being named after a tree, Oak street had no trees anywhere near it. Dark City was actually built over a forest called the Dark Forest. So maybe the people who named the streets were trying to honor the forest that once stood tall in this land, or maybe the name was intended to mock the destroyed forest.

            John was wore dark gray dress pants, a dark gray vest buttoned up, a crisp white button up dress shirt and black dress shoes. His thick black hair was styled back in an attempt to control his unruly locks. John had a new job as a pianist at the Black Cat club. The Black Cat was a favorite club, bar and lounge in the downtown area.

            It was eight o’clock at night when John opened the heavy wooden door to the club. The door was made of dark gray and brown, sturdy wood with black iron overlay and a heavy deadbolt on the inside of the door. John wondered what kind of people would need a door like that but his thoughts quickly changed as the door slammed shut behind him from its own weight and the subtle slant in the floor.

            Inside the Black Cat club was elegant but dark, with a single corridor at the entrance that was only six feet wide and covered with dark purple wallpaper and black lace draped from the ceiling. The corridor went forward ten feet then opened into the large main room.  The main room had a bar area to the left, bathrooms and coat check counter to the right and straight ahead were rows of seats and in front of the seats was a stage.

            John walked over to the bar, the bar was made a polished wood with a deep auburn color. The bartender wasn’t there so John decided to wait. He wasn’t sure who to talk to before he set up for the night and hoped to get a drink as well. He leaned his weight against the bar as he drummed his knuckles across the counter top. The sound of his knuckles hitting against the wooden bar echoed in the empty club.

            A woman approached from the backstage and entered onto stage. Her walk was graceful but purposeful. Her face was beautiful and pale and her eyes were an emerald green and staring at John with an annoyed look. This breathtaking redheaded woman noticed John and her first impression of him was annoyance.

            “I hope your piano playing sounds better than your noisy first impression you were going for out here” Said the woman. John froze and nervously smiled. “how did you know I was the piano player? Maybe I am just a patron waiting to be served” John said, trying to regain his confidence. The redhead gave a sharp look before replying “All the patrons know we don’t open till midnight. So do you have a name?” Asked the woman.

            John stood up straight and gave a warm smile as if to make a second, first impression. “My name is John, a pleasure to meet you. What is your name?” John asked. The woman’s expression softened “Alyssa, nice to meet you”

            “Alyssa” That was the first time John had met her and her name would always ring in his mind, her voice carrying each syllable across his ears like a melody.