Fantasy Island

Today I had a wonderful fantasy. Hopefully I can describe it within the next six minutes at which point I am due to eat lunch. It went something like this...

I finally take my vacation to Taiwan as I have been wanting to do for a while now. Upon spending a significant amount of time there (say, 7-10 days), I decide that I do not want to return to the United States. I make a phonecall home stating that I am not returning. My mom thinks I am joking. I am not. Then, my fantasy switches to the scene at work where my department is sitting around talking about it, scratching their heads.

"She's not coming back," the supervisor says. Boss comes in to join the conversation with crunched eyebrows and moving eyeballs that reflect alternating left- and right-brained activity (you didn't know that your eyes reflected that, did you?). He shakes his head and says, "I don't get it" and Delilah sits at her desk, looking very depressed, while LT and Supervisor pick up where they left off and keep typing in silence.

Two minutes left.

There is an eery silence and a strange aura floating in my corner of the room. My calendar, lamps, pictures, pens, papers, and glowing telephone sit unused at my desk waiting for my return. Except I am not returning, and nobody quite understands why.

Meanwhile, I am still in Taiwan and it has begun to rain. I am outside getting drenched, laughing like I have finally lost it (which, after making such a decision, I most likely have), drawing attention to myself as I sprint up and down the street. There is a pond nearby, and I jump in and swim around in my clothes. My friend O. that has so graciously hosted me during my stay in Taiwan is not sure what to think, so he suggests we go have a drink. I agree. However, we must have a drink in an outdoor pub since I am soaking wet. The Taiwanese natives stare at me and my mess of dripping hair and clothes, but I am like a walking vapor cloud of freedom and delusion, if there is such a thing, and hardly notice the extra attention.

Time's up. I have a sloppy joe and kiwi waiting for me in the frig.