Guidos and Goldfish

Bianca's hunger swiftly left her at the sight of the familiar face in front of her. There sitting at the crooked table was Antonio, the young chef who she couldn't help but blame for landing her in this horrid situation. Her surprise and resignation quickly shifted to anger as she glared at the handsome man. His muscles bulged though his freshly laundered tee shirt that was littered with graphic design. His hair was gelled upwards into the perfect "blowout" that only a true Guido could achieve. His dark skin looked welcoming, reminding her of her thoroughly tanned friends and family that lived back at the Jersey Shore.

He monitored her flaming gaze carefully until he finally spoke the first words, "Bianca, you look even more beautiful than when I last saw you". Bianca paused a moment before replying with words full of resentment and suspicion, "What are you doing here Antonio? Huh? Why did you follow me? We both know I have no business left with the Playboy Franchise meaning I have no business left with you". Bianca turned quickly on her heel ready to storm out of the restaurant, when she felt Antonio's strong hands grab her by the plump forearm. He turned her around and whispered to her in his soft Italian voice, "You left me Bianca and I am here to bring you home". Startled by the abruptness of his gesture, Bianca stumbled backwards out of his grip. Taking a moment to collect herself, she managed to regain her composure and icy demeanor. "Fine. I suppose I owe you some sort of explanation. I have a.... thing right now though.... an important.... appointment. So we will have to meet tomorrow. 12 'o clock at the fountain near Watershed Heights". Without a second thought Bianca turned and hurried to the door.

For the rest of the afternoon thoughts of The Mansion and her old life went rolling through her mind. As she struggled home around ten o'clock that evening she was released early from her shift at Second Chances. The power had suddenly shut off across the entire block causing the customers to quickly drain out of the building. As Bianca stepped out into the cool night she realized that all of the snow had dissipated in the past few hours. Suddenly Bianca became aware of an unusual light source coming from just around the block. As she listened more closely she could just make out the cries of screaming children and the sound of what seemed to be a dysfunctional organ grinder. Bianca allowed her drunken feet to take her to the source of such an unusual commotion.

Bianca arrived at the gates of a strange and haunting carnival just in time to see an angry Russian woman fall to the ground, and a small golden fish fly into the air. Bianca couldn't help but giggle as she watched a dirty dog pee on the old woman's foot. Bianca continued her intoxicated struggle home with thoughts of the strange carnival and the whisper of Antonio's voice dancing though the cool night air. His words serving as a haunting reminder of a life that once was and a hopeless promise of a return home.