He always thought. He thought about his bookcase, thought about his past, the books never read, he always wondered what was inside. Each book spine perfect, each cover unbent. Next to the bookcase he had a TV with video built in.

 

Hey Skinny, the shop boy said, Skinny!

Yeah? Said Skinny.

We got that movie in.

Skinny looked around the store, looked down the isle, and fixed his eyes on the foreign section. Skinny's seen every movie here.

Skinny, said the boy, we got it.

Cool, Skinny said, great.

Yeah, where've you been? Said the boy.

What? said Skinny, I was uh, doing other things, he said.

I see, the boy said. Whatever, it's here, he said. I watched it, It's subtitled you know, said the boy. But it's good.

You know me, said Skinny, I like to read. But this is number sixteen huh? he said.

Yeah, said the boy, it's good.

Skinny paid for the video, thanked the boy and left.

 

Skinny thought about possibilities. He sunk down in his couch, the bookcase and TV in front of him, and looked at the movie in his hand. He didn't feel like making food, he didn't feel like much. Skinny didn't know what to do, so he watched the champagne cork on the rug. The room was empty except for the TV and books. Skinny just sat there.

The door knocked. Skinny got up, walked over and opened it. It was Elena, his neighbor from Spain. She wore a red dress with white dots, a white belt angled down her hips, and blue moon boots. Dinner, she said. He smiled, Elena was always going out for one thing or another. Skinny, said Elena, you look terrible, I'm worried about you. Skinny placed his hand where his cheek fat had been. C'mon, said Elena, let's grub and go dancing or something. No, said Skinny, I mean, he said, I don't know.

Elena smiled, are you reading? she asked and took his right wrist, the one with the film. What's this? she asked. Skinny pulled back but she would not let go. Skinny was not as strong as Elena. I see, she said and her smile got large, you're on a date, she said and giggled. So, who is it this time? she said. With that Skinny struggled hard, but Elena held, then pulled away the film with her other hand and hid it behind her back. Let me guess, said Elena, girls gone crazy, she said, or something like that. Give it back, said Skinny, it's just a movie, he yelled. You need to meet a woman Skinny, she said, you ain't gonna do that here, not in this room, she said, unless. Skinny stood held, wanting his movie, wanting to be alone.

 

***

 

He fought Elena, his left hand frantic behind her back for the film. That's the spirit Skinny! said Elena, come and get it! Elena let Skinny struggle, then pushed the film behind him, tight on his spine. Skinny was stuck, Elena's chin at his temple. He felt her hand move up his back. Let us see your date, she breathed and looked down over his shoulder. Swords, said Elena, kinky. So, she said, you fantasize of samurais? I don't, said Skinny, I don't, he said. I just want, said Skinny. What do you want? said Elena. But his words dissolved.