Joanna Opiat-Bojarska “Fejm”, Agora Publishing House – excerpt:
Coffee. This is what he needed. Most in the world. His head was bursting even more than when that disgusting woman was wandering around the apartment. He turned on the espresso machine, but didn’t wait for it to warm up. He marched to the bedroom for his cell phone. He didn’t find it on the nightstand or in the bed. He returned to the living room. He looked around the couch and tables. He went through the suit he had worn to the party last night.
It is your fault!
Alex felt like he’d heard it before. Aga’s twisted face was breaking through the alcohol haze, repeating the same question over and over again. He struggled to reach the memories, to see the continuation or at least the broader context. He couldn’t remember if she’d joined them at the club or if they’d argued again, but if he thought he’d woken up next to a strange woman this morning, there must have been something to it.
He wanted to call Aggie. Ask where she is and infer from her voice what the current status of their relationship is. He couldn’t find his phone anywhere. Resigned, he returned to the kitchen. He poured a large white coffee. If he had guessed from the taste in his mouth how he had spent last night, he would have assumed that he had been licking the floor in a public restroom.
The espresso machine has stopped working. Alex took a cup full of coffee, added two teaspoons of sugar, and sat down at the computer. His cell phone locator app said his phone had been disconnected at 2:15 in the city center. This is where the club he went to yesterday with his buddies was located.
“Apparently he’s discharged.” He’s finished his search.
Taking advantage of the fact that he is sitting in front of the screen, he looked at his social media. He briefly ran through dozens of notifications about his profile tags in posts. He clicked on a couple of them. Checked posts and comments. Oohs and aahs after yesterday’s premiere spilled over the internet.
That’s how it should be. The grand premiere was not fun, but the main item on the list of marketing activities. A bomb dropped on moviegoers to create the biggest shockwave.
“But I envy you that you were there and that you had the chance to talk to the most handsome actor in the world,” he read one comment aloud and laughed.
He was swollen, sore and smelly. He had dark circles under his eyes, and his blond bangs had a life of their own, falling over his forehead, giving the impression that he was wearing a beret. He was far from yesterday’s handsome man.
He felt a little better after the shower. The sound of an incoming video call drew him back to the computer.
– Hello?
“Why aren’t you answering your cell?” I’m calling you and calling you. Will you come see me after the casting?
Weronika was wearing a leopard print shirt and was not looking at the camera at all. She was in her kitchen, either tidying cupboards or trying to cook something.
– After casting? he repeated.
– When you finish.
“And when do I start?”
“Come on, Alex, don’t even joke about that. She brought her terrified face closer to the camera.
He looked at the clock hanging next to the refrigerator. It was eleven fifty.
– What time?
– At twelve o’clock.
– Really. But on Friday.
– Today is Friday.
– Fuck you!
– Where are you?
– At home. He moved his laptop to show the inside. “I’m battling a hangover.” I just got out of the shower. I completely missed it today.
But do you know the text?
“Theoretically… I was studying, but in this state I’m not even sure what my name is.”
– Alex Skorupsky by play. Get your ass in gear. Brush your teeth, pour yourself another cup of coffee, put on something clean. You have ten minutes to look like the most handsome guy in the world. I’m sending a car for you,” she ordered. “Twelve point will be waiting under the cage.” You will reach the studio in a quarter of an hour. fuck. I don’t know how much time they have set aside for the audition or if they have anyone after you. Okay, let’s not panic. I will stop them. Take a deep breath and gather yourself at lightning speed while I run to the studio. I’ll talk to the director. But! She paused. “If you’re not there by twelve-fifteen, I’ll rip your balls out myself!”
**
He reduced brushing his teeth to forty seconds, swapped his favorite coffee for espresso, and gave up his thoughtful choice of clothes. He pulled on an iron suit: blue jeans, a navy blue shirt, and white trainers. Trainers gave him confidence, jeans gave him freedom, and the shirt emphasized the color of his eyes.
He stood in front of the door and glanced at his watch. Eleven fifty-eight. He could go out now. Although not.
He went back to the living room for his wallet. Somehow he’ll have to pay to get home, and since he doesn’t have a cell phone, he won’t use in-app payment. He also grabbed the papers with the text on them. He thought he’d run his eyes over it in the taxi to refresh his memory.
As he opened the door and stepped into the stairwell, he saw two uniformed policemen. They were young, a little lost and surprised to see him. It’s like they’re getting ready to meet him, but they’re not ready yet.
– Mr. Alex Skorupsky? one of them asked.
– What is it about?
– District Police Headquarters, midshipman Tęcza, can we come in?
In response, Alex closed the door behind him, turned the key in the lock, and took three steps toward the stairs. The cops were still standing in the same place, staring at him.
“I’m in a hurry,” Alex explained.
– This is important.
– The important thing is that I have a casting. It’ll start in…’ He glanced at his watch. “It’s just beginning.” So you guys understand. “He went up the stairs.
– Wait a minute.
“Gentlemen, I would really like to talk to you. I rarely have cops in my house, but I often play them. But unfortunately, there is no mercy. I’m running downstairs, you can accompany me if you want.
He didn’t wait for an answer. He started. The cops did the same.
– Miss Agnieszka Dzikowska stayed in your apartment?
– What?
– Have we found Mrs. Agnieszka Dzikowska?
Alex slowed down.
– No why?
“And when will she be back?”
– How do I know? he was indignant.
– You live together.
– Well, sir!
– We were at her place, but her roommate said that Mrs. Dzikowska lives with you.
– Nonsense. Why would she live with me?
Because you’re a couple.
Alex has already reached the ground floor. There was a taxi parked outside the door. He paused, eyed one of the men, wishing he had time to talk. The rainbow didn’t seem like a cop to him. He asked questions like paparazzi. It flashed through his mind that yesterday someone had seen him with Agnieszka and today he wanted to confirm his rags-to-riches suppositions.
– A couple? He laughed, showing genuine surprise. – Nonsense. He walked to the waiting taxi.
– Please wait. We know you know her, we have to find her. Yesterday her Volkswagen Beetle ran over a man. The victim is fighting for his life.
– Agnes…? He stood frozen. “Is she okay?”
– We’re looking for her.
“And the victim . . . ” He wanted to articulate a reasonable question, but he glanced at his watch. “Sorry, I really have to go.” He nodded, got in the car and closed the door behind him.
The car started moving, and when they left Biały Kamień on the intersection of Bobola and Rakowiecka, Alex covered his eyes with his hands. He had to get rid of the images that had begun to bombard his brain. Disgusting yellow on the dashboard. The thin steering wheel was more like a gaming one than a gaming one
true. Finger pointing to the display. Sudden jerking and chest pain. Volkswagen logo.
Fejm – cover Agora Publishing House
Source: Gazeta
Bruce is a talented author and journalist with a passion for entertainment . He currently works as a writer at the 247 News Agency, where he has established himself as a respected voice in the industry.
