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Textual Encounters (The Christine + Jake Affair)

Page 2

by Morgan Parker


  3:04am:

  I can’t sleep.

  3:04am:

  Welcome to my life, nameless, dyslexic friend.

  --------------------------------------

  3:05am:

  Can’t sleep… that sucks. Everything okay?

  --------------------------------------

  3:06am:

  Yes. Thanks for asking.

  --------------------------------------

  3:06am:

  It was a rhetorical question. “Can’t sleep” means we’re chatting at 11pm when you went to bed at 9. Chatting at 3am is something else entirely.

  --------------------------------------

  3:07am:

  Oh, you’re a Psychoanalyst?

  --------------------------------------

  3:08am:

  Sure, something like that. So, Christine, tell me what troubles you. Let’s start with your childhood relationships.

  --------------------------------------

  3:09am:

  LOL, at least you made me smile. Seriously, it’s all good. Just not entirely settled in quite yet.

  --------------------------------------

  3:09am:

  Well, I’m here when you’re ready to chat. I’m usually awake at this hour.

  --------------------------------------

  3:10am:

  Thanks, Doc.

  --------------------------------------

  3:11am

  Actually it’s Jake. Like Jake Gylenhall.

  --------------------------------------

  3:13am:

  Judging by your photo, you must be a made-in-China knock off of the real Jake Gyllenhaal. The one who knows how to spell his name.

  --------------------------------------

  3:14am:

  That’s a good one, coming from a tax accountant who can’t sleep.

  --------------------------------------

  3:14am:

  I’m irresistibly smart *and* hilarious. Which is better than just hilarious.

  --------------------------------------

  3:15am:

  Ouch. Outdone by an accountant. Welcome to MY life.

  --------------------------------------

  3:15am:

  Oh, I see. Jake’s an IRS man.

  --------------------------------------

  3:16am:

  No, my clients like me even less than they like the IRS.

  --------------------------------------

  3:16am:

  Banker?

  --------------------------------------

  3:17am:

  Close. Senior Portfolio Analyst. With a minor in Psychoanalysis, by the way.

  --------------------------------------

  3:18:

  You should have lied. Actually, I owe you a big thank-you because now I’m yawning. Thanks, Jake! Now I’m going to bed.

  --------------------------------------

  3:10am:

  Funny.

  3:14am:

  You there?

  3:22am:

  Hope you have a good sleep.

  --------------------------------------

  Monday January 14, 2013

  --------------------------------------

  10:33am:

  Fuck, I wasn’t created for Monday’s.

  --------------------------------------

  Updated Photo:

  10:34am:

  I’m doing well, thanks for asking. Arrived in NYC last night for a big presentation to the Executive Taxation Committee at one of your competitors.

  --------------------------------------

  10:35am:

  Ur in NYC?

  10:35am:

  Which comp?

  --------------------------------------

  10:36am:

  I’d consider telling you over drinks, except you weren’t created for Mondays.

  10:37am:

  I guess if we ever meet, it will need to be on a day where you’re not so grumpy and foul-mouthed.

  --------------------------------------

  10:38am:

  I’m in a good mood now that you’ve FINALLY uploaded a photo. How about Flatiron at 7? Is this really you?

  --------------------------------------

  10:40am:

  Bullshit re: good mood.

  --------------------------------------

  10:42am:

  Who’s foul-mouthed now? And it’s not bullshit. You’re gorgeous. So, see you at 7?

  --------------------------------------

  10:45am:

  Sorry, I’m sticking to my guns on this.

  --------------------------------------

  10:45am:

  Tomorrow?

  --------------------------------------

  10:46am:

  I’m flying out of JFK tomorrow morning.

  --------------------------------------

  10:46am:

  I have an alarm clock in my bedroom, I can set it really early.

  --------------------------------------

  10:46am:

  Good one. Maybe next time?

  10:47am:

  (the drinks part, not the sleepover!!!)

  --------------------------------------

  10:48am:

  Oh, come on. Technically, we’ve been texting for 2 weeks now. It’s about time we met...

  --------------------------------------

  10:50am:

  LOL, you seem to have the same mentality as my first boyfriend. Just the tip, right?

  --------------------------------------

  10:51am:

  How am I supposed to respond to that?

  --------------------------------------

  10:52am:

  You don’t.

  10:53am:

  I have to get back to work.

  10:53am:

  Hope your day turns around.

  --------------------------------------

  10:53am:

  It will. Tonight. Flatiron. 7pm.

  --------------------------------------

  10:55am:

  Let me know how that works out.

  --------------------------------------

  10:55am:

  What will you be wearing? So I can recognize you?

  --------------------------------------

  10:57am:

  I’ll be wearing nothing because I’ll be enjoying a hot Jacuzzi. In my hotel room. Alone.

  10:58am:

  Gotta run. Enjoy the drinks!

  --------------------------------------

  10:58am:

  You’re cold, Christine.

  11:03am:

  Still there?

  --------------------------------------

  Tuesday January 15, 2013

  --------------------------------------

  8:45am:

  How was that hot bath last night?

  --------------------------------------

  8:53am:

  Satisfying.

  8:54am:

  How were the martinis?

  --------------------------------------

  8:55am:

  Satisfying as well. Okay, VERY satisfying.

  8:57am:

  In fact, here’s a photo of the girl I brought home.

  212-555-1234 Uploaded a Photo:

  8:58am:

  Now we’re in love, getting married next month on my family’s yacht.

  8:59am:

  Just think… this could have been you!

  --------------------------------------

  9:00am:

  LOL. You’re so full of it. I know her!

  9:00am:

  This is getting spooky, Jake... our paths keep crossing in strange ways.

  --------------------------------------

  9:01am:

  You know Melissa?

  --------------------------------------

  9:02am:

  Sure do.
She works at JP Morgan. We collaborated on some industry-level tax-efficiency projects.

  9:03am:

  I’ll have to get her opinion on my text-stalker.

  --------------------------------------

  9:04am:

  You never told me that you have a text-stalker!

  --------------------------------------

  9:04am:

  Oh, I do. His name’s Jake, he’s got a potty mouth and his favorite day of the week is Monday.

  9:08am:

  And he’s full of shit.

  --------------------------------------

  9:09am:

  OK, so maybe I embellished a little about the yacht.

  9:09am:

  OK, and the marriage.

  --------------------------------------

  9:10am:

  Are you sure that’s it?

  --------------------------------------

  9:11am:

  Okay, maybe the part about taking her home too, if you must know.

  --------------------------------------

  9:11am:

  Yes, I figured as much.

  --------------------------------------

  9:12am:

  But we did have a few drinks. That part was true.

  9:12am:

  And we drank them TOGETHER, in case you’re wondering.

  --------------------------------------

  9:13am:

  At least now I have someone who can provide a reference on you.

  --------------------------------------

  9:14am:

  Perfect.

  --------------------------------------

  9:16am:

  You seem confident.

  --------------------------------------

  9:16am:

  I sure am. She laughed at all of my jokes. It’ll be positive feedback for sure.

  --------------------------------------

  9:17am:

  Now you’re starting to sound a little insecure, Funny Man.

  --------------------------------------

  9:18am:

  I’ve known her less than 4 hours... how valuable of a reference can she really offer?

  --------------------------------------

  9:19am:

  Melissa is a very forgiving woman. You’re lucky about that.

  9:20am:

  But I sure hope you paid for those drinks, Jake. One thing she knows is how a lady should be treated.

  --------------------------------------

  9:21am:

  If that’s the (low) standard, I’m golden.

  --------------------------------------

  9:23am:

  LOL, I’m sure you are.

  9:23am:

  My plane’s boarding. Chat later?

  --------------------------------------

  9:24am:

  Only if you update your photo...

  --------------------------------------

  9:24am:

  ???

  --------------------------------------

  9:25am:

  I was thinking of something along the lines of you in that jacuzzi last night...

  --------------------------------------

  9:26am:

  Now I understand why Melissa laughed at all of your jokes.

  --------------------------------------

  9:26am:

  Safe travels, Christine.

  --------------------------------------

  9:27am:

  Thx.

  3:35pm:

  I think my least favorite day is Tuesday.

  --------------------------------------

  3:36pm:

  Sorry to hear that. Tell me about it…

  --------------------------------------

  3:36pm:

  My luggage was somehow lost... on a direct flight!

  3:37pm:

  And the apartment I’m staying at is apparently above my pay grade... so I need to move next month!

  --------------------------------------

  3:42pm:

  That sucks worse than my Monday!

  3:43pm:

  That’s probably not the exact terminology a real psychoanalyst would use.

  --------------------------------------

  3:43pm:

  No, you’re probably right. But thanks for listening anyway.

  --------------------------------------

  3:44pm:

  Well, then. It looks like we have just 5 days left.

  --------------------------------------

  3:44pm:

  What are you talking about?

  --------------------------------------

  3:45pm:

  If Monday is out of the question for me, and Tuesday doesn’t work for you, that leaves 3 weekdays and the weekend.

  --------------------------------------

  3:47pm:

  I see.

  --------------------------------------

  3:48pm:

  So when we meet, why don’t we plan it for a Friday night and Saturday morning? That way we can test out a weekday and a weekend day? See which one works best for us.

  --------------------------------------

  3:49pm:

  Now I see where this is headed!

  --------------------------------------

  3:50pm:

  You got me all figured out, don’t you ; )

  3:58pm:

  Still there?

  3:58pm:

  Or did I offend you?

  --------------------------------------

  4:58pm:

  Sorry, I was called into an “emergency” meeting.

  4:58pm:

  Looks like I’ll be spending the night at the office.

  --------------------------------------

  4:59pm:

  Where is your office?

  --------------------------------------

  5:00pm:

  Toronto

  --------------------------------------

  5:00pm:

  For a number cruncher, you’re not as specific as I would expect you to be.

  --------------------------------------

  5:01pm:

  BCE Building. 12th floor.

  --------------------------------------

  5:02pm:

  Now I can start stalking you properly.

  --------------------------------------

  5:02pm:

  Nah, I’m safe from your creeping. There are four Christines working here. We have over 400 “number crunchers” on staff.

  --------------------------------------

  5:03pm:

  So 1 pct of your staff is named Christine...

  5:03pm:

  And you think I’m creepy? What’s your boss like?

  --------------------------------------

  5:04pm:

  That’s the second time I smiled today.

  --------------------------------------

  5:04pm:

  Gee thanks. When was the first?

  --------------------------------------

  5:05pm:

  When you asked me to update my photo.

  --------------------------------------

  5:06pm:

  Hmm... You’re practically wearing a tank. Shed some (or preferably ALL) layers.

  5:06pm:

  That wasn’t a joke.

  --------------------------------------

  5:07pm:

  Trust me, it was a joke.

  --------------------------------------

  5:08pm:

  Fine. But only ‘cuz it’s Tuesday and I won’t mess with you on your bad day.

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