MANIAC - LOVE DERANGED

by Violet Shaw

  In comparison to Jason, they all seemed boring, dull, and run-of-the-mill.

  The others were the bourgeois-bankers, who disappeared into the bank towers in the morning and exited them in the evening, tired and battle-weary. In the meantime, there was nothing.

  Jason’s life seemed much more thrilling in comparison, probably because she actually had little direct knowledge about it and the unknown made her imagination fly.

  Jason and Valerie hadn’t seen each other for a few weeks and only talked to one another on the phone. He had sent her quite a few passionate-funny text messages, in which he expressed his longing for her:

  “I want to put my arms around you and kiss you passionately like the night at the little hovel, P1 – do you remember?”

  His copious texts could immediately change Valerie’s mood and make her excited and happy, and finally she allowed herself to be convinced to spend the first weekend of Oktoberfest with him in Munich. On the telephone, he told her:

  “Sweetie, I’ve reserved a table at Käfer on the weekend, and I would be delighted to take you with me as my date!”

  Valerie was hesitant at first, as she always was with Jason, but as usual, he didn’t let her off the hook:

  “My, Valerie, you in a Dirndl, both of us in traditional costumes, I don’t want to have to miss seeing such a sight!”

  Valerie burst out laughing. Yes, Jason was a very cool guy.

  He knew how to be cool, casual, and romantic at the same time.

  And he was the only man who understood how to send text-messages that didn’t only flatter Valerie and amuse her, but also captured her fancy.

  He really knew what he was doing.

  When Valerie arrived in Munich for the weekend as they had planned, she was astonished not to hear from him the entire day.

  From hour to hour in the course of the day, she became more and more fidgety.

  At almost 7:00 p.m., when she still hadn’t received any sign of life from him, she assumed that he had forgotten about her.

  Because of her restlessness, she sent several text-messages to friends in Munich whom she could meet, in case Jason were going to stand her up and not appear. But just at the moment when she had decided not to count on him that evening, her cell phone rang:

  “Hellooooo, Valerieeee, how are you?”

  “Hi, Jason, I’m fine – how’s it going with you?”

  “I left the office a little later today, but am already on the highway to Munich. Are you already in Munich, Sweetie?”

  “Yes, I arrived today!”

  “Fantastic, I’ll be in Munich in three hours at the latest. Should we meet at Schumann’s?

  “Yes, great – shall we say at 11:00 p.m.?

  “That’s perfect; ‘til later – looking forward!”

  And just as she was about to hang up, Jason asked:

  “And Valerie, tomorrow – will I see you in a Dirndl?

  “Yes, of course – prepare to be surprised!”

  “Great – see you later – I’m looking forward!”

  “Me, too – ‘til later!”

  As Valerie walked into Schumann’s a little after 11:00 p.m., the bar was overflowing with people. Usually on a Friday evening, Munich’s so-called chic-set gathered here.

  On her way inside, Valerie’s glance swept around the premises as inconspicuously as possible.

  Jason was nowhere to be seen; he was probably going to be late again, which was typical for him. It didn’t matter to her, however, because she was already used to it and was very generous and tolerant regarding his tardiness.

  She stationed herself at the bar and ordered a glass of Chardonnay. Self-confident as she was, she was also aware of her effect, which she knew would be appreciated by those present, and she began to socialize with two men at the bar.

  They engaged in trivial conversation, as one does after 11:00 p.m. in appropriate locations such as Schumann’s.

  All of a sudden, two girls stepped up to the bar; they apparently belonged to the men with whom Valerie was chatting.

  As soon as they saw Valerie, they flew into a rage, full of envy and resentment, fearful of losing their “prey,” who were in conversation with Valerie.

  That was so typically Munich-behavior. Among women, rivalry and battles were the norm; it was almost medieval.

  As Valerie realized again and again, the word “emancipation” seemed to be a foreign one in this city.

  In any case, superiority looked different in her eyes.

  “Are you here by yourself?” One of the girls snapped at her.

  “No!” Valerie smiled arrogantly. “I’m waiting for someone.”

  “Oh!” The girls studied her from the side, with skepticism and mistrust.

  Then Valerie decided to pay for her drink quickly, before Jason arrived. The waiter asked for a hefty 20 dollars for a glass of Chardonnay.

  She was surprised by the price, but was in a hurry to pay so that she could avoid a refill by the waiter.

  The girls, however, were more than indignant about the price and without being asked, began to meddle in Valerie’s business: “20 dollars for a glass of wine?! they whined, horrified.

  Oh, dear, apparently they were not only silly, but also petty and provincial, Valerie thought. Just then, someone tapped her on the shoulder.

  Valerie turned around: Jason!!!! Finally, he had arrived!

  They beamed at each other like two Cheshire cats.

  Jason asked her immediately: “How long has it been since we last saw each other?”

  “An eternity!”

  “Yes, an eternity! My, you look good!”

  “Thank you! How are you?” She beamed with joy, finally seeing him again. He still appealed to her very much, actually even more than at their last get-together.

  Jason glanced at the two girls, who were also looking at him with interest: “And, as I see here, you’ve already found new friends?”

  “Yes, it seems that I have!”

  Just then, under Jason’s eyes, it looked as if they were ready to cause trouble and become even nastier. Now their frustration really came to the fore:

  “So, are you her boyfriend?” they asked with interest and cunning at the same time.

  “Yes, I am,” Jason responded confidently, whereupon he briefly put his arm around Valerie, lay his head against hers, and provoking the girls, asked the rhetorical question: “Aren’t we a beautiful couple?!”

  “Your girlfriend just spent 20 dollars for a glass of white wine!” the girls continued, scornfully, in an attempt to arouse his ire. But Jason, sophisticated as he was, immediately recognized the poisonous attack.

  “That’s good; my girlfriend always has excellent taste. I should immediately order a bottle. Shall we sit down, Valerie?”

  After they had sat down at a table, they continued to beam at each other without letup.

  Valerie worked at being witty and intelligent; she wanted to appeal to him.

  Wow, she thought to herself as Jason sat across from her, he has changed, but absolutely to his advantage. Suddenly he was more self-confident.

  And his new self-confidence also made him unbelievably sexy, which she had to admit to herself. He had developed into a man whose presence alone caused a variety of women to turn their heads in his direction.

  He was the womanizer par excellence.

  “And how are you? Have you finished your studies?”

  “No, unfortunately not; I’m only in the sixth semester.”

  “Oh, that’s good. Then you can still enjoy your time at the university!”

  “Yes, exactly; I’m also really happy about that. How are you? Do you like Zurich?”

  “Very much; the city is small, but very interesting and much more international than Frankfurt. It’s a good mixture of interesting people.

  The job is good, too; I have to travel a lot on behalf of the bank. And I’ve also found a nice apartment. You must come and visit me in Zurich very soon, without fail, Valerie!!
!”

  “But of course; I’ve already planned to do so!”

  They flirted with each other and had a lively, animated discussion.

  Jason still appealed to her. Very much, in fact, as Valerie had to admit to herself.

  He was also aware of his power and effect now. There wasn’t much left of the insecure and shy Jason whom Valerie had met in Frankfurt.

  “And do you have a Dirndl?”

  “But absolutely; you’re going to be overwhelmed by me!”

  “I don’t doubt that since I already am. I ask myself how one could top that?!”

  Valerie laughed in amusement:

  “Where are we going tomorrow, exactly? What’s the plan for Oktoberfest?”

  “Tomorrow morning is the Tiffany-Meadow-Keg-tapping and after that we head over to the Shooting-Match tent. Have you really never been to the Meadows?

  “No, it really is my first time! You can believe me!”

  “Well, then, all the better that you have me as your escort; I know what you’ll enjoy! You’ll see!

  “Jason, I’m very happy to be surprised.”

  “Great! And on Sunday evening, we can attend the ultimate Meadow event, the Alpine Pasture Cow Corral and Dairy Fair in the Käfer tent; you definitely have to come with me to experience that! Where are you staying for the weekend?”

  “I’m staying at a hotel.”

  “Why are you doing that?” Jason was indignant and disappointed at the same time. “You can stay with me!”

  “Yes, thank you for the offer; I thought however, that it would be better to first stay overnight in a hotel.”

  “Oh, but that’s nonsense! Then you’ll at least sleep at my place on Sunday!”

  He tried again to pin her down, which Valerie couldn’t stand. She wanted first to see everything at a certain discretionary distance, without having sex with him right away.

  “Let’s see and talk about it again on Sunday!” Valerie said, avoiding a direct answer.

  “But why do you want to pay extra for a hotel room when you can stay with me without any complications? If you come to my apartment on Sunday, I’ll gladly give you my key, and you can stay on next week as long as you like. I have to return to Zurich on Monday morning anyway and you can spend an additional few nice days here in Munich.”

  Valerie was everything but convinced. She wasn’t overridden that easily nor was she easily persuaded. No matter how long they had already known each other -- he was supposed to fight for her.

  He was supposed to see that she was a hard nut to crack; she wanted to be the greatest challenge of his life.

  “Really, very generous of you. But as I said, let’s talk again on Sunday; I can’t decide exactly right now, okay?”

  “Naturally, Sweetie, the decision is yours!”

  They spent the rest of the evening at yet another bar and at P1. Jason was known everywhere. He knew and greeted everyone, from the doorman to every waiter; and actually he knew every beautiful woman, too. He simply dripped with charm and joie de vivre; he was in his element.

  Many women came to say hello, and wanted to begin a conversation with him, but Jason presented himself as quite unapproachable and introduced Valerie to everyone. He was the perfect gentleman.

  Suddenly a rather less attractive woman was standing next to Valerie and Jason in the VIP-section of P1.

  She addressed him with the words: “I know you, I know you from somewhere!”

  Jason reacted very arrogantly, reserved, and more than dismissive, even before he said: “But I don’t know you!” Valerie was shocked and amused at the same time. Apparently he knew exactly what he wanted and what he didn’t want.

  At the same time the contempt and arrogance of the narcissist had clearly come to the fore.

  Valerie hadn’t determined what exactly she should think of him; her judgment was not yet final. She wanted to study him more closely and to hold him off physically and keep him at a distance, since apparently he could be quite crass.

  Later Jason drove her back to her hotel in his car.

  “And you won’t come to my apartment for a drink?”

  “No, unfortunately not tonight!”

  “Okay, but it’s really too bad!”

  He reacted casually and calmly, kissed her lips and tapped her nose lovingly.

  “Sleep well – ‘til tomorrow!”

  “Really too bad, that you won’t be sleeping at my place tonight, but then I’ll dream about you instead!”

  She smiled at him lovingly in turn: “Good Night, Jason, ‘til tomorrow!”

  It was one of the Oktoberfest parties – the Alpine Pasture Cow Corral and Dairy Fair at the Käfer tent. And Valerie had a date with Jason, after he had played his psycho-games with her on the day before. But now they were planning to meet, and she was dressed up and polished in her Dirndl, on her way in a taxi to the Käfer Meadow-Bar, when he called:

  “Valerie, where are you? I’m waiting for you, and so is everyone at the table; I want to see you already!”

  “No worries; I’ll be there in a minute!” Valerie responded.

  “Great! I’ve reserved a ticket for you at the entrance and am on the first floor at Table #138.”

  Her heart was pounding wildly when she hung up.

  She was so excited about the evening, and at the same time unbelievably flustered, since this was her Oktoberfest Meadow debut.

  Upstairs at Käfer on the first floor, she didn’t have an overview of the premises upon arrival.

  There were so many prominent and beautiful people swarming around her. Valerie felt as if she were in another world; everyone that she came across was in an expansive Meadow-mood and gorgeous.

  It was impossible to find Jason’s table in this mass of people.

  She called him on the phone but unfortunately couldn’t understand him because of the noise level; but just then, while she still had the cell-phone at her ear, Jason came toward her.

  And his appearance exceeded all expectations by far: he was simply dazzling in his Lederhosen.

  Even in the middle of all of these beautiful people, he was still the most gorgeous man in her eyes.

  He exuded charm and smiled at her: “There you are, finally! My, you look fabulous!”

  Jason gave her a kiss on the lips: “Come, let’s go to the table!”

  He grasped her hand and pulled her along behind him in the direction of his table. But when they arrived, a poisonous brunette was already waiting for them. As soon as she saw Jason and Valerie, she threw a fit and shouted in Jason’s direction:

  “No, Jason, no, not that woman at my table!”

  Oh, Gawd, Valerie stopped in her tracks; she didn’t realize that she was so unwelcome! And why was this brunette so upset?

  Apparently she was one of his multitude of rejects.

  Jason, however, remained astonishingly relaxed and didn’t dignify the outburst even with a glance. He pulled Valerie closer to him, took her hand, and helped her to his place on the other side of the bench.

  The brunette hadn’t yet given up and continued to volley various insults in her direction. Jason remained cool as before, turned to Valerie, and said:

  “Everything is fine – the old bag better calm down!”

  At twenty-two, Valerie was the youngest at the table by far. All the other women were far older and aimed killer-glances in her direction. There was no hope of a fun, relaxed Meadow evening.

  Here she had landed among Munich’s so-called in-crowd.

  And now Valerie also recognized that Jason belonged to this group; he was a permanent part of this social circle.

  And all of them were very similar to one another in certain ways. All of them were beautiful; in most cases, their beauty had been aided and abetted by diverse operations or lip-injections. One could see many enhanced bosoms, or in cases where tell-tale signs of the passage of time were discernable, women who had been “botoxed” or had followed the newest trend of receiving transfusions of one’s own blood.<
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  There was another point of similarity here: Everyone was wealthy, or pretended to be; they were arrogant and bored with life -- they had seen it all.

  To escape the boredom and the dullness of the daily fare, which primarily consisted of doing nothing but waiting for the next party or the next important event, most of them got coked up in competition with one another. This is how they avoided the monotony as well as the purpose – that is, the lack of purpose – in daily life, at least for a moment.

  They had barely sat down when Jason turned to Valerie and said that he would like to make the rounds, say hello to a few people, and would return in a jiffy. Before Valerie could respond, he had managed to leap over the bench and disappear from her view.

  So he wanted to have a little fun this evening without her, she realized, which he was certainly free to do as far as she was concerned; she could also look around a little, she thought to herself.

  Just as she decided to leave the table, the poisonous brunette began to threaten her again:

  “Your behavior is more than impossible, and I expect you to leave the table immediately and not come back, got it?!”

  Valerie was completely perplexed at first; the outrageous words the brunette nag had addressed to her had almost left her speechless. But she didn’t want to be defeated that quickly, particularly not by such a nasty, frustrated witch.

  “I find your conduct to be equally impossible. In case you hadn’t noticed: I’m here with Jason at his invitation. And if you have a problem with that, sit somewhere else, away from him. Got it! Besides, I wasn’t aware that today has been declared old witches day!” The brunette glared at her, furious with rage, but before she could respond or be tempted to pour a liter of beer or something else over Valerie’s head, she turned her back on the witch and left her standing there.

  So that’s what it was, the so-called Munich in-crowd.

  All of them were beautiful and absolutely ice-cold at the same time.

  Each one fought for a place in society; no one gave anyone the slightest trifle.