Excerpt: Synesthesia

We are the only people out on that floor dancing. We have the room to ourselves, and it may well be the entire world, because I cannot see anyone past you.

The tempo picks up and everyone rushes back onto the floor. We are engulfed in a sea of horny teenagers, every one ready to sing along to what they perceive to be a new classic.

Do you want to get out of here?, I say.

Do you think we'll be able to? That's your reply.

Just watch me. And we're off.

This is all a flimsy excuse to get you out in the open. The truth is that I've been looking in your direction all week, and I would love to know why I find you so irresistible. To be honest, we know next to nothing about each other. That's when you say that everyone knows nothing about everyone, and I tell you to cut it out because over the last few weeks I have had just about enough of writers, thank you. I now I'm surrounded by them, and for once I would like to just do something without having to figure out what I do. There is no reason to analyze this moment. Let's just talk it over.

Hi, I say. I'm Jimmy. Jimmy Dempsey.

Did your parents name you after the famous Jimmy Dempsey?

...After a fashion, yeah. Let's say that's the reason why.