Floating Carnival
At first he thought he might be dreaming. In the distance among the endless black sea, behind a veil of fog an outline of something rising out into the sky shown. He couldn’t move, his eyes narrowed and the tower became slightly clearer. A base and the tower, not a tower, but a lighthouse stood on it. It was the color of sand and peaked into the clouds. The top, from what he could see, had a cut out that stared at him, but no light shine through. It was daytime why would its lights be on? The sea’s thick black waves rose and fell covering the base from his sight and in a slow minute it faded into the fog as it came about. He stepped forward grasping for another sight of it. Another sight of something that shouldn’t be there, something that teased him, exposed a question to him that was never posed. And in the middle of his curiosity something switched in him and a voice posed a command. It said “Drain the Sea”.
He didn’t remember getting promoted to CEO of the Carnival. Victor worked hard at his job and when the opportunity came up he accepted with out thought. He no longer left the park at night. He was given the penthouse in the steel and glass tower that over looked the entire island. He now had rows of perfect fitting black suits and white shirts with multicolored skinny ties. Pants made out of the finest material and shoes shined so spotless and clean that he could style his hair in them. The penthouse had everything he would need. Bed , kitchen , office and even a gym. He dressed for the day and combed his black hair to the side, trying to avoid his horns. It was still a bit messy, but had definition to it at least. It was earlier in the morning and he looked down toward the entrance to see the employees starting to enter the Carnival. He went down one level to where his executive staff worked. As he exited and walked towards his office he was greeted by Sarah. The company ran the entire Island, which was the Carnival. He had a second in command, but in reality it might as well be Sarah. She was his receptionist, but she could handle any task that came her way with a cheerful glee that was infectious. Her hair was pink that came into curls just above her shoulders. She always wore a shade of purple on her lips to match her hair. Red eyes glittered at him as he approached.
She stood up giving him a large smile “Good morning Sir” she said handing him some folders.
“Please, call me Victor” he laughed taking the folders and entered his office. She wouldn’t call him by his name, but he always tried. His office was right under his bed room. Floor to ceiling windows ran each of the “walls” only one side had any view. The other looked out into the endless black sea and clouded horizon.
Victor looked out past he carnival into the endless black ocean. He gazed hoping for another glance. Sarah approached from behind and stood next to him looking out.
“Sarah have you -“ he paused and rubbed his eyes “Never mind”
She looked at his reflection in the window. His dark amber eyes peered out intently. She knew what he was going to ask. She had seen it too. The same day he had seen it. She saw him breathless staring out of the windows one day. She looked and at first didn’t see anything, but then. Out there. Floating in just beyond the fog. A lighthouse. For just a moment. She knew she was seeing what he saw. She went to say something, but closed her mouth. Maybe one day.
“I will get you some tea sir, please try and relax for a moment” she said giving a small bow and leaving the room. Victor peeled him self from his window. It would show up again. One day, it would appear and when it did. He would go to it.
Inspired by the large windows in my old office. It over looked a large garden and the windows filled the whole suite. I often pictured a lit up ferris wheel rotating by and then the black ocean itself.