2019-07-11 - It's A Trap

(TXT to Isabella) Alexander : This was a terrible idea. I blame you.

(TXT to Alexander) Isabella : Mr. Clayton? What's a terrible idea?

(TXT to Isabella) Alexander : Yoga. I am sitting here on the beach, listening to a woman blather on about inner peace while wanting me to stick my ass up in the air. It's not calming.

(TXT to Alexander) Isabella : (long pause, with no dots, probably because Isabella is laughing her ass off)

(TXT to Alexander) Isabella : Did you tell her you were a beginner? Because that sounds like downward dog.

(TXT to Isabella) Alexander : It's a youtube video. And yes. Downward facing dog. Part of the Sun Salutation. It's listed as part of a beginners' series.

(TXT to Alexander) Isabella : I didn't...I can't say I'm not pleasantly surprised, though. I mean, you told me at the coffeehouse that it wasn't for you. What changed yout mind?

(TXT to Isabella) Alexander : Dr. Glass suggested it in session, to find my inner calm. I don't think I have any.

(TXT to Alexander) Isabella : I wondered whether you were a patient of hers. She was telling me just today that her practice was growing in the city, and I saw the way the two of you interacted in the coffeehouse. How is your breathing?

(TXT to Isabella) Alexander : I continue to breathe.

(TXT to Isabella) Alexander : And, yes. I thought it couldn't hurt. She's unlikely to commit me, at this point.

(TXT to Alexander) Isabella : No that's not what I...nevermind. Was the risk high that you were going to get committed?

(TXT to Isabella) Alexander : My previous options with mental health professionals have been 'lie' or 'tell the truth, get a diagnosis of schizophrenia, end up in the asylum'. I don't like either option. If I'm honest.

(TXT to Alexander) Isabella : I'm not the expert on mental health Dr. Glass is, but you didn't seem schizophrenic to me in any of our encounters. Admittedly that is probably something that wouldn't be advertised. Anyway, you said you don't think you have any inner calm? Do you try NOT to think when you're doing yoga? Because that sort of defeats the purpose.

(TXT to Isabella) Alexander : No, because you were ALSO seeing the melted face thing. It helps when people see the same thing you do. That's new.

(TXT to Isabella) Alexander : I always think. Mostly, I was thinking 'this is stupid'.

(TXT to Isabella) Alexander : You seem to know a lot about it, though.

(TXT to Alexander) Isabella : (long pause, no dots, likely that she's laughing still over Alexander's yoga commentary)

(TXT to Alexander) Isabella : Know a lot about yoga or schizophrenia? More of the former than the latter. I like being active and there are times when I can't get to the ocean or the pool for exercise.

(TXT to Alexander) Isabella : Anyway the point is to let go of the stress, Mr. Clayton, you won't be able to do that if you don't clear your mind now and then and focus on the moment.

(TXT to Isabella) Alexander : Yoga, Miss Reede. And I don't know how to let go of stress.

(TXT to Alexander) Isabella : Do you need me to show you how?

(TXT to Isabella) Alexander : I wouldn't want to impose. I do have YouTube.

(TXT to Alexander) Isabella : ::laugh emoji:: The question had nothing to do with what you don't want and more to do with what you need! Come on, Mr. Clayton, live a little. Aren't you curious as to what kind of trap I'm springing?

(TXT to Isabella) Alexander : I am curious. What would 'living a little' entail, exactly?

(TXT to Alexander) Isabella : Lots of things. Do something you've never done before, taking the leap before you look down. Something that'll encourage you to let go and not think for a while. You should just resign yourself to hanging out with me one afternoon and see what that gets you.

(TXT to Isabella) Alexander : Resign myself? You make it sound bad, Miss Reede. I accept. If that was an offer.

(TXT to Alexander) Isabella : It's not bad, depending on what you can handle anyway. But yes, it's a date. How does Friday sound?

(TXT to Isabella) Alexander : ...

(TXT to Alexander) Isabella : ::smiley emoji:: What?

(TXT to Isabella) Alexander : All right. Friday, Miss Reede.

(TXT to Alexander) Isabella : Grand. We can meet at my place. Dock 47, her name is the Surprise.

(TXT to Isabella) Alexander : Of course it is. Will I need any equipment? Yoga map, oxygen tank, shotgun?

(TXT to Isabella) Alexander : Mat.

(TXT to Isabella) Alexander : Not map. Although a yoga map does sound like something I actually need.

(TXT to Alexander) Isabella : ::laugh emoji:: Dress for the water and the weather. We can use the shotgun another time. I suppose I could have made noises about the possibility of you being half-naked around me after our conversation at the coffeeshop, but I think the point is to stress you out LESS and not MORE.

(TXT to Isabella) Alexander : Oh good. I don't actually have a shotgun. I'd have to borrow one, and that would be an awkward conversation. No comment about nudity and my stress level, Miss Reede.

(TXT to Alexander) Isabella : Of course. I wouldn't dream about dredging up whatever traumatizing memories you may have about drug addled orgies and the Lesser Key of Solomon. ::devil emoji:: I'll see you then, Mr. Clayton. Try and stay out of trouble.

(TXT to Isabella) Alexander : They were actually rather pleasant memories, Miss Reede. Good night. Don't die.

(TXT to Alexander) Isabella : See? We have something to talk about on Friday already. Goodnight, Mr. Clayton. Don't worry, I'm not the sort to get killed so easily.