Questions Unanswered

“Simultaneous RAW and JPEG recording with selectable JPEG file resolution, 8 Megapixel CCD sensor and fast zoom lens combine to offer a significant increase in quality…” read the last paragraph he’d written for his assigned review for the month.

He was delving into details again; a habit he unconsciously sinks into, that inevitably loses most readers in confusion. He’d been warned about this by his peers, who’ve read his magazine. His editor-in-chief, unfortunately, would rather be immersed in confusion. Whatever dumbfounds him must be good was always his train of thought.

It’s always been at points like these where he’d be torn in two, trying to figure out which direction to head. Published work has always carried a burden of service that his private blogging moments never did.

He sat back against the flimsy, squeaky computer chair, squinting, trying to objectively dissect his own articles.

“You joining us for a quick break?”

The weight of Dong’s hand on his shoulder almost nudged him off balance, leaning like a cantilever as he already was.

“Uh, yeah… Sure… I need a break.”

They both stepped into the blinding, searing light of the afternoon, squinting as they stepped into the pale late afternoon light. Dong took a long drag and puffed carelessly into the wind. He stole glimpse to his right before slowly returning his gaze back into an empty stare.

“Check your 9.”

“What?”

“9 O’clock.”

“No, it’s 5…” A poke on the ribs from Dong stopped him short.

“Hi. Could I have a light?”

Beside him was a rather shapely lady, clad in temptingly form fitting office wear.

He drew out a lighter, flicked the switch, and beheld the fire that answered to his call. She drew closer, a slight bow, sucking in as she approached the fire, the end of her cigarette, beginning to ember. It ended with a click. She tilted her head, smiled, said her thanks and turned, tossing her long black shampoo commercial hair to the side in the process, before walking away.

“Damn.”

How do you do that?

***

“Why do they always do that?”

“I’m sorry. Do what?” G was still staring out the coffee shop's window.

“Men. Why do they always stare at other women? It’s like they’re never satisfied.

That guy over there, in the other table. He’s having coffee with his girlfriend and still checking out each one that walks in the door.”

“You shouldn’t be surprised. They can’t help it. It’s in their nature.”

“So we just rationalize it that way?”

“Well, it’s not like they’ll stop it if we ask them to.”

“Yeah but it just feels like we’ve taken a step back. I mean, we’re not just accepting their lousy behavior, but justifying for them too.”

“But what happened to those days when we used to dream about being swept off our feet by Prince Charmings; gallant, polite, and also exciting?”

“Maybe we shouldn’t ask for more, Claire. We keep on looking for something better, but how do we know if the best has already past us? Maybe we should just be satisfied with what we have.”

“Maybe. A part of me still hopes for what the other part of me says is impossible.”

***

“It’s simple, really,” Joel said, semi-intelligibly as he tried to light a cigarette at the same time.

“Fact is, men and women both have ideals. It's just that the means of getting the ideals are contrary to the ideal. In achieving them, they cease to be ideal. Same goes for courtship. The 'perfect' man, would logically go for the 'perfect' woman, who doesn't exist. So consequently, neither does the ‘perfect’ man. Nobody’s perfect after all. So everyone is chasing an ideal that doesn’t exist. You goal, is to make them believe you’re the ‘perfect’ one.

“How do I do that?”

“Be like the ‘perfect’ man. Since he’s so perfect, naturally, he knows what he’s worth something. Naturally, he knows he deserves better. Act like the ‘perfect’ man.

“And how would he act?”

“Quite unperfect, ironically. He’d be cocky, a bit arrogant, somewhat distant, stuff like that.”

“And women like that?”

“Well, let’s put it this way. It’s the threat of you leaving that will always keep them on their toes. When you act like you’ve got something better waiting for you, i.e. don’t care, she perceives it as you doing her a favor by staying with her.

“I just don’t see how this is gonna work.”

“You see, women, especially the gorgeous ones are used to being treated like princesses; men always waiting on them, groveling for their next command. You gotta be different. For one, you’re not gonna be waiting on her every breath. You’ve got things to do, other women to woo. Why waste your time if she’s not responding, right?

She’ll respond to this because she’s not used to being neglected. I mean, here’s a man that doesn’t think the world of her. ‘He’s got better things to do. How’s this possible,’ she asks. And in some odd way, it appeals to her. Believe it or not, women love a challenge. The fact that he’s not a slobbering dog like the other guys represents challenge. I mean, true, men do the picking, but it’s the women who CHOOSE who wins them over. Don’t act surprised. What, you thought it was your sheer charm?

You gotta be a mystery, keep her guessing. That way, you CHALLENGE her to play your game.

“But what if she doesn’t?”

“Wanna bet me a pack of cigs? She will; just because you’re different.”