PROLOGUE

"Sometimes, I'd like to think that the world is not sane enough to let our insanity out for just a moment or two. Somehow it comes across as though it is scared of the chance of making these morons realize that what I did was an act of mere obedience to the most natural inclination of men. There is always a tinge of Memphis Derwinski in every person alive, whether it is a grown up or a newborn. You cannot get rid of that fact and tomorrow there will be more of us."

She shifted her weight from one shoulder to the other and looked directly into his eyes as if trying to excavate a dead man's remains from them. A technique she learned from her seniors when executing a negotiation with criminals. Most of the time it worked, but today is not meant for her to doubt her expertise in these kinds of situation. It's funny how people think that the eyes are the passage to a man's soul when in fact, a man's soul is non-existent. It is only an illusion created by theology magicians. He met her gaze and threw her his most sincere smile. He was actually expecting to see her break the eye contact but she did otherwise. She picked up some papers and read a few lines before turning to him for questions.

"Does this satisfy you?" she continued.

He chuckled upon hearing her question. He laughed hard, motioned to hold his stomach and brushed his hands on his eyes to wipe the tears brought about by serious laughter. She remained composed and just stared at him all the while, but her composure meant nothing to Memphis. He knew that behind that stern look, a cloud of confusion is slowly forming.

"Satisfaction? No. No. Honey, it makes me happy. I am a beast. I will never know what satisfaction feels like."

She leaned over the thick fiber glass which divides the room they were in. She's clutching the telephone wire with her left hand, a mannerism he observed.

"I thought you are smart. Now guess, Juliet, what else do you think am I getting from this hobby of mine?" Memphis asked almost sounding arrogantly.

She remained quiet as if looking for words to match the question he gave her. She began to tap the table where her papers lie. Pretty sure she is inside a maze now with her thoughts like a tangle of endless evergrowing thread.

"You are very religious Juliet. I suppose it is natural for you to not let that thought out of your mouth for it will be a sin to your saviour but you thought of it anyway, didn't you?"

He leaned closer to the glass and held his hand against it leaving a temporary mark brought by the contrast of his palm's warmth and the coldness of the glass. He sniffed the thin air and stared at her eyes. He knows this is the last time he is going to see her for next week will be the most beautiful week of all his weeks.

At the back.of his mind, he thought, "Ah pleasure at last."