Mortal Desire

by Alexander Bryn

  I raised my eyebrows and nodded my head. I restarted the elevator to floor eight and turned and faced Miss Flynn again.

  ‘Would you like to accompany me to a funeral at 6pm today?’ I asked in a cheery voice.

  I shook my head, disappointed in my delivery of what was supposed to be a sad occasion to Earth humans.

  Well that came out well, sounding cheery about a funeral. That will work for me, NOT.

  Sarah frowned at me.

  ‘It is a dog funeral. Mrs. Rossetti’s invited me and a partner to it. Will you go with me?’ I added whilst butterflies bounced around inside my stomach. I hoped that the extra information would make more sense to her.

  A small smile erupted from her face. The twinkle in her eye reminded me of the flashy diamond rings I had seen so many times on the fingers of women.

  ‘I will see you at 5:50pm, ground floor Henry. A dog funeral could be ... interesting ... ’ she said as she backed out of the elevator still smiling at me.

  I bowed my head towards her, repressing the largest smile that I had ever wanted to share with somebody else.

  For the next few hours my elevator became the service elevator with all sorts of trades people coming and going, deliveries being made here and there, jovial conversations had between workers and myself. Conversations of a different sort to the usual controlled carefully worded conversations with clients. It was a welcome intrusion in my day.

  Then, at the precise time of 1:30pm, I arrived at the thirteenth floor to collect Mr. and Mrs. Camden.

  To my surprise, they sat waiting on the red leather seat next to the elevator entry. I waited for a moment inside the elevator and observed them, overcome with a feeling of awkwardness, panic even, wondering what Mr. Milani had bestowed upon them to seemingly correct their lives for them.

  What on Earth had they agreed to, and signed on the dotted line for?

  I stepped out of the elevator at the sound of footsteps approaching. It was Mr. Milani. He proffered his right hand.

  ‘Henry O’Connell, it is wonderful to see you again!’ he said, over smiling at me, shaking my hand in earnest.

  What have you done Mr. Milani?

  I narrowed my eyes at him, trying to pick up on any non-verbal cues that he was inadvertently trying to send to me. Nothing ...

  ‘Mr. Milani. It is wonderful to see you too. I have come for Mr. and Mrs. Camden. I believe that they are eager to return home today,’ I said, still waiting for some sign from Mr. Milani to guide me.

  He looked away from me and towards Mr. and Mrs. Camden. ‘Asher and Alice, Henry is here for you. Thank-you for coming to see me, and I will be here at any time that you choose to see me again. Have a nice day.’

  They both looked up at him at the same time, nodded and smiled at him as if it were orchestrated. They looked to each other before they both stood, and held hands like they were newly-weds.

  ‘You have the tickets don’t you Henry?’ Mr. Milani whispered into my ear. I nodded once to him, and then gestured for Mr. and Mrs. Camden to enter the elevator, before I entered after them.

  ‘Mr. Camden, Mrs. Camden, you both look wonderful today. Which floor would you like to go to may I ask?’ I knew very well that they would choose the ground floor.

  Mr. Camden looked at me and smiled slightly. ‘We ... would like to go to the ground floor Henry. I hear that it is a beautiful day outside, and I wish to take my beautiful wife out for the most pleasant afternoon tea that she has had in a while,’ he answered, looking at Mrs. Camden with adoration as he spoke.

  ‘Excellent. It is a gorgeous day outside. Oh, and a courier came by and asked me to give these to you. He said that you must read it without delay, or you would miss your flight to your honeymoon destination,’ I said and handed him the bright yellow envelope.

  Mrs. Camden gave a little jump in excitement when Mr. Camden took the envelope from me. He kissed his wife as if they were the only two people in the elevator.

  I turned away from them, and pretended to polish some of the brass decor in the elevator. Even the ping of the opening doors did not distract them from finishing the kiss that he started.

  I smiled at the waiting clients as the doors opened, and cleared my throat when they still did not stop their lip sucking embrace. ‘Presenting the ground floor Mr. and Mrs. Camden,’ I added as a further hint that we had arrived. It was only the applause of the waiting clients that aroused them from the kiss.

  Mr. Camden held the flushed Mrs. Camden’s hand when they left, parting the waiting, smiling clients.

  That afternoon, I had never been so busy with business men and women, residents and people of all sorts wanting to ride Elevator Thirteen. Elevator Operator Operation Popularity was well on its way to success. Mr. Bellini would be exceptionally pleased with my progress. The more people that ventured inside my elevator, the more likely it was that I would find suitable clientele for the Establishment.

  By 5:45pm I had changed out of my work uniform and into civilian clothes ready for Mrs. Rossetti’s dog funeral. I looked myself over in the mirror, double checking the honey-brown eye lenses that I had left in, for the sake of Mrs. Rossetti and Sarah Flynn. To them I was Henry; dark hair, honey-brown eyes, tall, formal and very efficient at my job as an Elevator Operator.

  The white sofa opposite Elevator Thirteen was vacant when I walked to meet Sarah at 5:50pm. My heart dropped at the thought that she may not show up. I looked up at the high ornate white ceiling, put my hands in my jeans pockets and took a deep breath before I sat on the white sofa. I had always wondered how it felt to sit in. People sat here all through the day whilst they waited for others.

  I leaned forwards and placed my arms on my knees, clasped my hands together and waited, hoping that she was running a little late. I also hoped that she knew that it was very special of me to invite her to the dog funeral. I never asked girls out. She was the very first one in my four hundred years. But then I guess, how many guys ask a girl out to a funeral for a first meeting.

  Hmm, in hindsight, it was not such a romantic thing to do ...

  I closed my eyes and berated myself at such a ludicrous scene. She was probably still laughing at my absurdity wherever she was. Ah well, at least it is memorable as a pick up line if you could call it that ...

  The gentle tap-tap-tap of heeled shoes echoed throughout the near empty foyer, coming closer to me. They belonged to a woman; men’s shoes soundly entirely different to the dress shoes of women, and the timing of the steps also. Men took longer strides.

  I opened my eyes and saw a pair of black shoes near mine on the polished marble floor, then followed the map of her body up to her face, where her beautiful green eyes connected with my honey-brown lenses. I smiled shyly at her and stood in one smooth movement.

  ‘I thought that you had stood me up Miss Flynn. I was about to go and say my last goodbyes to Selena the dog by myself,’ I said to her in a soft deep voice maintaining our intriguing eye contact.

  She smiled at me and narrowed her eyes. ‘How could I miss the funeral of a dog—man’s best friend, or woman’s in this case, a dog who loves unconditionally with all of its heart. And besides, it’s a first for me—to attend a dog funeral. It’s was too extraordinary to miss this opportunity, even with the Elevator Operator!’

  I gave her a weak smile and looked to the floor. I had hoped that she was coming to the dog funeral because of me. I looked back into her eyes. ‘Shall we then?’ I asked, and smiled crookedly at her, and indicated for her to step into the elevator.

  Within forty-five seconds we had arrived at the thirty-eighth floor at the apartment of Mrs. Rossetti. The doors opened to the opulent entrance of her home. Sarah gasped. No doubt at the extravagant interior design and décor. I placed my hand on the small of her back as we stepped out of the elevator.

  ‘Henry my darling!’ Mrs. Rossetti exclaimed in a loud voice as she rushed to greet us. She kissed both of my cheeks. ‘And this beautiful creature is?’ she asked smiling.

 
; ‘This beautiful woman, is Sarah Flynn, Mrs. Rossetti,’ I said, looking into Sarah’s eyes as I introduced them.

  ‘Welcome Sarah. It is so nice of you to come to say goodbye to Selena. Please come this way, the ceremony is about to start.’

  We followed Mrs. Rossetti through her luxurious apartment to a splendid outdoor area overlooking the spectacular night lights of the city. A cool breeze stroked our skin with the lightness of a feather.

  A short man dressed in a black suit with a polka dot white shirt stood with his hands melded together in front of himself. His eyes were fixed upon the small white coffin of the dog. There were seven people in total gathered together for this special occasion.

  ‘Dear friends, we are gathered here tonight to fare thee well Selena Rossetti. The forever loyal and dedicated companion of Lily Rossetti. It is with great sadness that we say goodbye, but with great joy that we remember the happy times of her life here in God’s Great Garden. Selena, we thank you for your service and abundant times of happiness that you brought Lucy, and we release you to rest in peace. Fare thee well beautiful Selena.’

  ‘Fare thee well,’ everyone repeated. I looked around when they hung our heads for a minute in silence, and followed suit.

  Sarah stood closer to me. I could feel the heat from her mortal body. She linked her arm with mine and I was filled with an indescribable peace, an Earthly one that I had never felt before. Did she feel it too?

  I opened my eyes to the loud sobs of Mrs. Rossetti. She had her hand on the small white coffin and wiped away her tears with a white handkerchief. I removed my arm from Sarah and stood behind Mrs Rossetti, and placed my hand on her shoulder. ‘She is at peace Mrs. Rossetti, and with all of the other dogs that you have owned. You will see her again one day. Life is good.’ I kissed her head and stepped away from her, grabbed two wine glasses and handed one to her and raised my glass. ‘To Selena, the four legged bouncy companion that made life easier to live,’ I said in a quiet voice, and clinked glasses with her.

  ‘Thank-you my dear Henry,’ she whispered, trying to hold in another sob.

  I walked away as another of Mrs Rossetti’s friends approached, and stood at the hand rail overlooking the city. I breathed deeply and took a small mouthful of red wine and swallowed, enjoying the trail of warmth it left as it travelled to my stomach. I felt the warmth of her too. Her proximity was close.

  ‘That was a lovely ceremony ... how did Selena die Henry?’ she asked.

  ‘Her boyfriend murdered her.’

  ‘What, Mrs. Rossetti’s boyfriend?’

  ‘No, Selena’s boyfriend. Apparently he had a savage streak that nobody knew about. He overpowered her with his size and strength. He clenched his strong jaws around her neck, flung her from side to side and it was all over in the blink of an eye. Poor Mrs. Rossetti was so distraught as she knelt next to Selena’s lifeless bloodied body. It broke my heart. I hope that she buys herself a new puppy. She so loves her dogs,’ I said while I looked into my wine, the redness reminding me of the dog’s blood that I had smeared over my uniform and hands: the blood that saved me from the three immortals.

  I looked up into Sarah’s eyes to see a tear falling. I wiped it away with my thumb, and she looked away from me. She was so beautiful; her creamy white skin and the heart shape of her face.

  ‘I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make you sad,’ I whispered.

  ‘No, Henry, it’s okay, really.’ Sarah looked up into my eyes again and lingered there, sending fire throughout my entire body, and another feeling, like an adrenalin rush. I wanted to hold her close to me. But I didn’t.

  ‘Henry, let me steal your girlfriend away from you for a moment. I will return her, I promise,’ said an enthused Mrs. Rossetti as she touched me on the arm.

  I smiled at her, ‘She’s not my gir—’ I started to say, but Sarah had placed her finger to my lips to stop me saying anymore, and smiled at me. When they walked away arm in arm I lifted my finger and touched the tingling sensation that lingered on my lips where Sarah had touched me.

  The red thread ...

  In the end it was a whole hour before Mrs. Rossetti returned Sarah to me. I knew where she was the whole time that we were apart though. My eyes found hers every few minutes, devouring the sight of her; her energy, her aura, her presence.

  But … she was the forbidden fruit ...

  My eyes were closed when she sat next to me on the garden seat thirty-eight floors above ground level. But I knew that she was there because the red thread was tight, pulling me closer to her.

  ‘What do you see Henry?’ she asked in a soft mellow voice.

  I breathed out like a human, and kept my eyes closed.

  ‘I see the wings of angels wrapped around dying people as they breathe their last breath. I see the candy store selling healthy candies. One statement is true, the other is not,’ I said, and opened my eyes and smiled at her.

  She stared at me in disbelief and then punched me in the arm. ‘Liar liar pants on fire!’ she whispered as a slight smile played on her lips.

  ‘The night is escaping Sarah. It is time to go. You know what happened to Cinderella,’ I whispered into her ear. I wanted to smell the strands of her red hair, and breathe in the scent of her pure warm blood that circulated throughout her body mixed with life giving oxygen. Mortals smelled divine compared to the immortal, and she did not disappoint.

  Mrs. Rossetti walked us to the elevator. ‘Thank-you my dears, especially you Henry. If I had a grandson, I would want him to be exactly like you.’

  She held her hand over her heart and looked directly into my being. I wondered what she could see there. Could she tell that I was different to the mere mortals who dwelt in her world?

  I blinked and smiled with shyness. No-one could ever identify my immortality unless they too were immortal. And then it was as plain as day.

  I hugged her hand with mine and then turned and entered the elevator with Sarah. Despite the dog funeral it had been a pleasant evening, but one that must come to an end like every day on this planet. Time is indeed precious, counted by the human interpretation of passing moments, of breaths that you breathe, of eyelids blinked, of years walked upon the Earth, which were numbered.

  Moods are a funny thing, and emotions. They swung to opposite sides of the spectrum so quickly, sometimes so unpredictably, catching you unawares.

  But you were in control of your emotions right? Or did your emotions react to people and circumstances around you. It was such a complex mix of feelings that humans had to deal with.

  I pressed the button to ferry the elevator down to the ground floor. I rested the back of my head on the wall of the elevator and closed my eyes.

  Sarah stood opposite me in the rectangular prism of a pod. I could detect her nearness. The moment she stepped closer I would know it. Right now she was as still as death, nervous about being with me in the elevator alone. I don’t know why she was nervous. I would never hurt her in any way, or make a move on her for that matter.

  ‘Henry is not your real name is it?’ she finally said.

  ‘Why do you say that?’ I asked and opened my eyes to look at her.

  ‘Your acid wash jeans, shoes, shirt, your sandalwood aftershave. Your eye colour is not what I see now is it? It is what you present to the people in this building daily isn’t it?’

  I breathed in deeply and shook my head.

  The acid wash jeans that Albert told me to wear ...

  ‘No Sarah—all of the elevator guys wear the same honey- brown contact lenses. It is part of our uniform. They are most irritating to wear. I detest them!’

  ‘So ... you are Liam?’ she said slowly.

  I nodded at her.

  She stared straight ahead then leaned against the wall and went as pale as a ghost, sliding down until she was sitting on the floor of the elevator. I pushed the stop button of the elevator and folded my arms.

  ‘Ask away. I’m up for twenty questions,’ I said in a quiet voice.

  She
remained silent, and I waited patiently.

  ‘Do all of the elevator operators have an aka name?’

  ‘No, just me.’

  ‘Why do you have the name Henry here?’

  ‘When I first started here I was given the wrong name badge, and it just stuck. It is sort of a running joke I guess.’

  ‘Why do you all have to wear honey-brown eye lenses?’

  ‘I can’t answer that one due to my contract.’

  ‘I have met you twice as Liam.’

  ‘That is not a question, it’s a statement.’

  She looked down at her fingers that were knotted together. ‘Why didn’t you tell me that you were Henry from the elevator the first time that I questioned you about it at the bar?’

  ‘You were the one that decided that I was a different person, not me.’

  ‘But you had blue eyes and you told me your name was Liam.’

  ‘I was telling you the truth.’

  ‘Do you have a photographic memory?’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘Do all of the elevator operators here have a photographic memory?’

  ‘Yes’

  ‘Why?’

  ‘For security reasons.’

  ‘But aren’t there security cameras everywhere?’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘Then why must you have photographic memories?’

  ‘Because photographic evidence can be altered.’

  ‘But memories can be persuaded into something different as well can they not?’

  ‘If you can be hypnotized …’

  ‘What do you know about Elliot and me?’

  ‘I have a great deal of knowledge about Mr. McEwan that I am not able to tell you for confidentiality reasons, and I only know what I have observed of you with your mannerisms, choices, body language, plus a little bit more because of the time that we shared at the dog funeral tonight.’ I had been forgetting to do the breathing thing. I hoped that she didn’t notice.

  She smiled at me and then put her hands over her face. ‘What can you tell me about me?’

  ‘Are you sure that you want to hear that?’

  ‘Yes—go ahead.’

  ‘That’s not a question.’