• It all started last year, March, I believe. I was on my first trip to Paris, to meet one of my clients. I had arrived three days earlier in hopes of touring the city before getting down to business. Never have I adapted to new surroundings well. Hiding in the shadows, slipping by without a sound, that’s my artifice. Over the past few years the situations in which I’ve been catapulted into have changed that, somewhat. I’m more comfortable with my changing surroundings, but I’ll never like it.
    Paris may be the only city that I have ever felt completely alone. Not because I was actually alone, but almost as if I were invisible. Sure, the people are friendly, their smiles are warm. Though, I couldn’t get over the strange feeling of some deeply buried and heavily guarded secret was located somewhere, right in front of me.
    On my first day I decided to visit the Eiffel Tower, but once near the top it didn’t seem all that appealing. Then again, I was clinging to any pillar for dear life. Everyone around me leaned as close to the edge as they possibly could, turning my stomach more than once. For fear of falling I ended up walking as fast as I could down the stairs, back to solid ground.
    They say that the first day in a new country is the worst. Not only are you surrounded by unnumbered amounts of strangers, but your first day is a complete culture shock. I’ve been speaking French for six years and all I could do was gape at everyone around me. It all sounded so foreign. I’d almost swear I was on another planet.
    After a couple of hours of mindless touring I decided to head back to my hotel. The elevator ride up was slow but worth it. Walking up anymore stairs was not on my wish list. Looking down the long, and elaborately decorated, hall I could see my door. Before I had even reached the door I reached for my key card, anxious to get in.
    I quickly slipped the card through the lock and pushed my door open. It felt good to know I could relax. Setting down my bag I looked around. A little red light caught my attention. Confused and slightly annoyed I walked over to my answering machine. Sure enough it read ‘One New Message’. I pushed the button, curious as to who would be calling me. I had asked everyone to only call in case of an emergency.
    “YOU HAVE ONE NEW MESSAGE” the machine called out, then beeped to signal the start of the message. “Hey, Hayden, this is Greg it seems that our client would like to meet you tomorrow. I’m sorry about it being such short notice. He changed the meeting place too, it’s now at his house, you should have his address, at 3:00. Don’t mess this up.” It beeped again ending the message.
    Great. This is just what I had hoped wouldn’t happen. Completely drained and somewhat defeated I made my way to the comfortable looking bed. Not even bothering to change into my night gown I drew back the blankets and buried myself deep into a dreamless sleep.