I'd left six messages for Rebecca Granville.

All six were unanswered.

I was alone at work, it was late, Janeanne had gone home. I was so restless... what was going on? I knew the best thing was to stay away from Rebecca but I couldn't. I knew we would never consummate our relationship -- but I had to see her, to talk to her... I still wanted her... I thought.

I tried Drew at home.

"Hi, it's Drew and Eric, we're not in at the moment..." blah blah blah, stupid machine. Where the hell was he? Off with his stupid catering job. Where was he when I needed him?

God!

What was I saying? Now I was taking it out on Drew? Get a grip, Eric.

I could hear my mother talking to me when I was a little kid --

"Luigi, you watch your temper! You watch your temper, don't beat on your sister like that!"

I guess my temper never really got any better. I messed around in my office, my incredible office paid for by Granville. What was he gonna say if things didn't work out with me and Rebecca? Would he fire me? Would he throw me downstairs with all the other 1st years? Damnit!!! Nothing was ever easy.

I called Rebecca again.

No answer.... this time it just rang and rang. And rang and rang and rang.

*****

I must have dozed off when the office phone blared. It was Andrew.

"When are you coming home, Eric? It's almost midnight."

Midnight. God, I had fallen asleep on the couch in my office over four hours ago. What happened? I felt like I was drugged. I felt nauseous. I answered Drew-- telling him I was on my way, that I'd been doing some research.

I packed up my briefcase to go when I noticed my hands.

They looked fine. But they smelled funny. They smelled like cologne.

Like women's cologne. I looked in the mirror and my face was covered with lipstick -- smeared with lipstick, all over my face, my neck, my shirt.

I reached down and felt my crotch... it was still moist.

What the hell had happened? Where had I gone?

Or had I gone anywhere? Had I had a wet dream? Had someone been in my office? Rebecca? Or someone else?

Or had I gone out, gone somewhere and come back with no recollection?

Jesus. What was happening to me?