The Incubus

Chapter 1, Scene 7

The waiter behind the counter looked up when he saw Justin approaching. 'Good evening, sir,' he said politely. 'What would you like to order?'

Justin eyed the menu. They didn't have too much money to splash around, but Justin figured that given his current situation, it was better to ask for forgiveness than permission.

'I think I'll have the steak,' he said.

'Excellent choice, sir. How would you like it done?'

'Medium,' Justin said. 'Thanks.'

With rice, baked potato, or fries?'

'Baked potato would be fine.'

'Anything to drink with that, sir?'

Justin sighed. Do you think I can have my food now? 'Just a soda water, thank you.'

'Eat here or take away?'

'Take away.' He wanted to be with Rebecca. In case she woke up and needed him.

'Would that be all?'

Justin bit his lip and then exhaled slowly. 'That would be all,' he confirmed. 'Thank you.'

The waiter took the menu and left Justin to his thoughts. He was worried about Rebecca. If he only knew what was wrong, he could perhaps get her some medication. He felt small and powerless; incapable of helping her with whatever bug she had picked up. The thought of hospital bills sent a shiver down his spine.

A human-like creature invisible to the eye stood beside Justin and placed its claw on his shoulder. The figure leaned forward and bought its mouth close to Justin's ear.

Look up.

Justin looked up and his stomach flipped when he saw the beautiful receptionist, sitting alone at a table. The elegant evening dress was a sharp contrast to the denim she wore the previous afternoon when they arrived.

'Excuse me,' Justin said and motioned for a waiter.

'Is everything all right, sir?' the waiter asked.

Justin nodded. He then indicated at the receptionist. 'Do you see that girl over there?'

The waiter looked at where Justin was hinting. 'Megan?'

Justin flinched and motioned for the waiter to lower his voice. 'Her name is Megan?'

'Yes, sir,' the waiter said.

'Is she here on a date?'

'No,' the waiter said. 'She always eats here. Staff account.'

'So she's alone?'

'She and her fiancé split up about three weeks ago.'

'Thank you,' Justin said and dismissed the waiter. He looked at Megan, almost hypnotized by her beauty. Justin swallowed hard to try and get rid of the lump in his throat, but it didn't help. His pulse raced and he could feel his heart beating loudly in his chest.

Go to her.

Although Justin couldn't consciously hear the voice, he still obeyed it.

'Hi,' he said when he finally reached the table she was sitting at. 'I couldn't help but notice that you're alone, and was wondering if you would like to have some company.'

Megan looked up and smiled. 'Sure,' she said.

He thanked her and sat down, then extended his hand toward her. 'I'm Justin,' he said.

'Green as in the colour, but with an e, right?'

Justin chuckled. She remembers! 'That's me,' he said. 'And you are...?'

'Megan,' she said and shook his hand.

'Pleased to meet you, Megan.'

'Likewise,' she said. She stole a quick glance around the room. 'Where's your wife?'

'She...she's feeling a little under the weather,' he said. 'So I decided to rather let her rest while I got myself something to eat here.'

'I'm sorry,' Megan said. 'Do you know what's wrong?'

'Nope,' Justin said and shrugged. 'But I'm hoping that she will feel better by tomorrow.'

'We do have some emergency medical supplies,' she said. 'Let me know if there's anything that I could do to help.'

'I will,' Justin said. 'Thanks.' Oh wow! You're stunning! There was a moment of silence that could have turned awkward if Justin kept quiet. 'So what's a nice lady like you doing alone in a place like this?' he asked.

'Staff account,' she said.

'Ah,' Justin said and nodded knowingly. 'Best reason in the world.'

A waiter brought Megan her order of Calamari and onion rings.

'I ordered a steak and a soda water to go,' Justin said. 'I think I'll have it here, please.'

'No problem at all, Sir,' he assured Justin.

'That is if the lady doesn't mind,' he said and winked at Megan.

'Not at all,' she said.

'Could we also have a bottle of wine?' Justin asked the waiter before he could stop himself. 'Something red and sweet.'

The waiter nodded.

'What's the occasion?' Megan asked once the waiter left.

Justin thought for a moment. 'New friendships,' he said. He had been sober for five years since vowing to never drink again. Not going to start now, he thought. Just a glass or two during dinner, that's all.

'So what do you do for a living, Mister Greene, with an e?'

Justin didn't want to spoil the mood by telling her that he was jobless, so instead opted for the little white lie. 'I run my own computer business,' he said.

She smiled, showing off her perfect teeth. 'I'm impressed, Mr. Greene.'

Justin's steak arrived and the two of them wined and dined for almost an hour. One bottle turned to two, and before long, Justin's head was spinning.

'Want to come back to my place?' Megan asked after they finished the bottle.

'I can't...'

Go with her, the voice instructed.

'...see why not,' Justin said and raised his hand to beckon the waiter. He paid for both meals and both bottles of wine and realized that he would have some heavy duty explaining to do in the morning.

'Great,' Megan said. There was the slightest hint of a slur in her speech. 'I could use the company tonight.'

They both left the restaurant together and the sudden fresh air only made Justin's head spin even faster. Justin almost took the path back to his cabin, but Megan playfully tugged at his arm.

'This way,' she said and hooked her arm into his. Arm-in-arm, the two made their way toward her cabin.