"I don't understand why you are making me go to a bookshop."
An average height Indian man with a toned physique resumed his nervous pacing back and forth in the misty conditions with one hand glued to a mobile phone. Wearing a black clerical cassock with a collar and simple black shoes, Mark ran a hand through his medium length black hair that was greying at the sides as a familiar female voice spoke back to him in a warm yet firm tone. "Mr. Williams, we both agreed at our last session that you have to get out there and interact with people. It's beginning to affect your work and we can't have that now can we?"
A loud sigh precedes him scratching dark stubble on his chin. "But it's too soon. I can't...I can just leave and get on with my work. I don't have to do this!" "Mr. Williams, you are letting your fear control you again. Your job requires you to be confident in social situations. You had to pick somewhere public and quiet and you were given three options. Do you remember why you chose the bookshop?" "A cafe is the one likely to have the most people there. I need to get a book and you told me to not use my usual shopping sources. A public library involves too much information. But this bookshop....it's your recommendation. You didn't let me scope the place out."
"Exactly, Mr. Williams. If you were allowed to do that, you would feel too comfortable. The only way to truly face your anxiety is to dive right in." Mark stopped moving and stared reluctantly at the stairs leading to a red door. "I don't like diving...I can't swim." "Mr. Williams, remember that charming humour to get you through the day. I am afraid I must prepare for an appointment. Get in there and buy the book so we can both look good to our superiors. Good luck." The call ends and Mark stares at the phone for a few seconds as if he will get a second phone call telling him he doesn't have to go through with this.
Sadly, no call comes and Mark puts the mobile in his left pocket before taking an orange prescription bottle out of the other one. Carefully unscrewing the cap, he pops two pills into his mouth and swallows them quickly before screwing the top back on and pocketing the bottle. His head darts side to side quickly to ensure no one noticed and a feeling of relief flows through him upon detecting nobody in the nearby vicinity. Mark slowly walks down the steps and takes a couple of deep breathes to himself as he rubbed his gloved hands to calm his nerves.
Nodding to himself to try to psych himself up, the man ignores the fact that the colour red usually means stop and heads inside the bookshop. Focusing on steady strides, Mark walks towards the desk and spots a woman with silver furred ears and a moving tail standing in front of a man sitting at the desk. He knew there was a time where this sight would have genuinely shocked him but that was a long time ago. However, the man feigned surprise at the sight of this woman to appear more normal before focusing his attention on the man sipping from a mug.
Mark took a tactical glance around the area and assumed this person is an employee due to the position of the desk in relation to the entrance to the bookshop. Focusing his thoughts on confidence, Mark spoke to the male in the chair. "Hello there. Sorry if I am interrupting anything here, I was hoping to get my hands on a book. I would be happy to wait until you are finished with this lovely lady first though." Mark gave a quick grin before folding his hands behind his back and looking around the bookstore to see if there were any other people he would have to interact with.
An average height Indian man with a toned physique resumed his nervous pacing back and forth in the misty conditions with one hand glued to a mobile phone. Wearing a black clerical cassock with a collar and simple black shoes, Mark ran a hand through his medium length black hair that was greying at the sides as a familiar female voice spoke back to him in a warm yet firm tone. "Mr. Williams, we both agreed at our last session that you have to get out there and interact with people. It's beginning to affect your work and we can't have that now can we?"
A loud sigh precedes him scratching dark stubble on his chin. "But it's too soon. I can't...I can just leave and get on with my work. I don't have to do this!" "Mr. Williams, you are letting your fear control you again. Your job requires you to be confident in social situations. You had to pick somewhere public and quiet and you were given three options. Do you remember why you chose the bookshop?" "A cafe is the one likely to have the most people there. I need to get a book and you told me to not use my usual shopping sources. A public library involves too much information. But this bookshop....it's your recommendation. You didn't let me scope the place out."
"Exactly, Mr. Williams. If you were allowed to do that, you would feel too comfortable. The only way to truly face your anxiety is to dive right in." Mark stopped moving and stared reluctantly at the stairs leading to a red door. "I don't like diving...I can't swim." "Mr. Williams, remember that charming humour to get you through the day. I am afraid I must prepare for an appointment. Get in there and buy the book so we can both look good to our superiors. Good luck." The call ends and Mark stares at the phone for a few seconds as if he will get a second phone call telling him he doesn't have to go through with this.
Sadly, no call comes and Mark puts the mobile in his left pocket before taking an orange prescription bottle out of the other one. Carefully unscrewing the cap, he pops two pills into his mouth and swallows them quickly before screwing the top back on and pocketing the bottle. His head darts side to side quickly to ensure no one noticed and a feeling of relief flows through him upon detecting nobody in the nearby vicinity. Mark slowly walks down the steps and takes a couple of deep breathes to himself as he rubbed his gloved hands to calm his nerves.
Nodding to himself to try to psych himself up, the man ignores the fact that the colour red usually means stop and heads inside the bookshop. Focusing on steady strides, Mark walks towards the desk and spots a woman with silver furred ears and a moving tail standing in front of a man sitting at the desk. He knew there was a time where this sight would have genuinely shocked him but that was a long time ago. However, the man feigned surprise at the sight of this woman to appear more normal before focusing his attention on the man sipping from a mug.
Mark took a tactical glance around the area and assumed this person is an employee due to the position of the desk in relation to the entrance to the bookshop. Focusing his thoughts on confidence, Mark spoke to the male in the chair. "Hello there. Sorry if I am interrupting anything here, I was hoping to get my hands on a book. I would be happy to wait until you are finished with this lovely lady first though." Mark gave a quick grin before folding his hands behind his back and looking around the bookstore to see if there were any other people he would have to interact with.
The following 1 user Likes jazzhands's post: Tindome
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Tsundoku - Antique and Well-Loved Books - by tindome - 11-06-2014, 10:35 PM
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