THE CRUISE

by

Robert Varjack

The crack down has started in our town. It hasn't been safe to roam the streets at night in search of companionship. It has been a lonely winter, and now with the summer coming, chances seem dimmer. It isn't safe to live alone anymore, as I have been doing for the past few years, ever since Jim left. But each night holds a new promise, and though the promise is often a mere glance, or a knowing look, it is still there.

I had just left the movie last night, and was walking along looking at shop windows when I first saw him. I had planned on taking the bus home. at 5th Avenue, but since I would have had the rest of the night by myself, I decided to walk a small distance.

I can't really say what it was about him. He was tall and had black hair. He seemed to glance rather sharply as I walked by and I received a probing look, one that seemed to reach out to me. I stopped at the next store window and with one eye on the merchandise and the other eye on him, I waited.

one

He stopped too, and turned around to where I was standing. All of a sudden I got a fantastic chill down my spine and I briefly glanced at him. He smiled and moved even closer.

We were looking at the same window display and just standing there, as people began walking past. All of a sudden I became a little worried. I started to think that maybe he was

a

plainclothesman. He certainly didn't give much encouragement. He had an arrogant look about him that made me fear making the first move.

The week before a man had been exposed by his acceptance of an offer on the street and all of a sudden these thoughts were flashing through my mind. The city had turned into a nightmare overnight. Everyone was being exposed. I swallowed the lump in my throat and glanced at him rather timidly.

I started walking again. I didn't even glance back. I just had to walk. I bought a paper at a stand and as I was doing so, I noticed that he was

26