Paul and Ian: Black Dot (A pre-nano story)
Ian had been dragged to the art gallery showing thingie by Gia. She really liked the works of Paul Brown, a local artist that she had heard of through aother friend. She dragged him to the show.
A date.
Their relationship had been slowly falling apart these last few weeks, as he'd sent in his acceptence letter for JET. The letter that she had failed to recieve. She swore up and down that it didn't matter, that they'd stay together, she wasn't jealous, she wasn't upset that he, who didn't really care one way or another about Japan, was getting to go and she was staying behind.
She said all that, but it was a lie.
So she had brought him to the gallery affair, and they drifted in different directions. She was looking at his older stuff, and Ian stayed near the more recent paintings. In particular, he was staring at a black canvas with a small white dot that was just off center. He stared at it, the off centerness of the dot slowlty driving him mad.
It was easier then thinking about what was happening to him and Gia.
"I see you've been sucked into the abyss."
Ian turned and saw a man with bright pink hair beside him, dressed in a very nice suit. "It drives you crazy, doesn't it? The way the dot is just enough off center."
"Yeah," said Ian. "Makes me think of my life."
"Hm. Well, you're life must be a little off then."
"Who's life isn't?"
The other man laughed. "Damned if I know," he said. "I'm glad it's caught your attention. I'm the artist, by the way."
Ian offered his hand, and Paul shook it. "Nice to meet you."
They stared at the painting together, and Ian shook his head.
"I've got to get away from this painting before I lose it."
"That bad?"
"What?"
"Your life."
"It's complicated," said Ian. "I got the job my girlfriend was turned down for."
"Ohhh, yeah," said Paul. "There's a nice painting down that way that I did. It's calming, or so I've been told by my lover. Anyway, yeah. This painting's going to drive you crazy."
"Thanks."