by Thomas Elson

Late one summer morning, he rolled out of a white, twelve-cylinder Jaguar, and, as
he slowly raised his head, saw a singular vision – two long tanned legs telescoping from a dark blue, dotted-swiss mini-skirt. When he stood, he felt he could almost consume her lusty chest, tanned arms and neck attached to a legendary-looking blond.

He took her to lunch.

Within a few days, their lunches progressed to trysts, which transformed into
assignations, then flowed into a full-blown affair.

Now, months later, he is a candidate for judge with his billboards in almost every
part of the city. As he parked near one of those billboards with artificial light illuminating his campaign photograph and name, he is only vaguely aware that he is wasted and will continue to waste himself.

What he does not know, but, were he inclined, could have predicted – within seven
years, he will be divorced, convicted, have served time, and be on parole for
embezzlement.

Nevertheless, tonight, his dinner companion is six feet tall, a flowing blond whose
robust properties are legendary.

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Thomas Elson’s stories have appeared in over three hundred English language journals and anthologies throughout the world, including, New Writing Scotland, Short Édition, Selkie, New Ulster, Lampeter, Mad Swirl, Blink-Ink, Scapegoat, Flash Frontier, Bending Genres, and Adelaide. He divides his time between Northern California and Western Kansas.