doors

by nick nelson

illustrated by palomine studios

donald did not like doors. he was always afraid of being trapped behind them. he was afraid that the locks or doorknobs would not function and that no one would hear his cries for help. doors in rooms with windows he did not mind so much because he felt he could break them or shout for help. he did not like being alone behind the doors in rooms on the higher floors of tall buildings because he thought no one would see or hear his wavings or entreaties if he were trapped. he did not like the rooms in modern buildings like the one he worked in because the windows could not be opened or broken. he did not like doors in rooms without windows - like bathrooms or large closets or storerooms - even in his own house, and he always left them slightly ajar without completely closing them. when his mother was alive she tolerated this, along with donald’s numerous other eccentricities. when his mother died donald purchased a mail order bride from a foreign country. the new wife quickly took charge of him and treated him with contempt. when she realized his aversion to closed doors she was highly amused. and took every opportunity to lock him in the bathroom or one of the large closets. donald’s pathetic cries and poundings were met with loud laughter on her part. the neighbors either never heard anything, or minded their own business.

walter and his enemies, or nightmare at noon

by nick nelson

illustrated by palomine studios

walter walked down the street he was on his way to meet zorine a woman he had contacted online he hoped the meeting would go better than the last similar encounter he had had and was resolved to make a better effort to not pontificate about his obsessions at least in the initial stages of conversation and before they ordered lunch. suddenly walter realized he was being followed by his two worst enemies, morris and jardine they were half a block behind and making no effort to conceal themselves when walter looked back a second time morris waved at him! it was obvious they meant business well, walter meant business too there was a police station on the next cross street and he resolved to enter it even if it meant being late for his date with zorine which in any case was not a matter of life and death without giving morris and jardine the satisfaction of looking behind him he turned left on main street and walked up the wide steps of the police headquarters although he expected to be greeted with indifference if not outright contempt he in fact received the most courteous attention from the young sergeant at the front desk. when he explained his predicament she picked up a phone and after a few words which walter could not make out told him “please enter the fourth door on your left, sir, and a couple of technicians will be with you shortly.” although walter was slightly nonplussed by the term “technician” rather than “officer” or “detective” the young woman’s manner was so pleasant and winning that he followed her instructions without demur. two persons were waiting for him when he entered the room. a slender young woman with a bald head and a husky young man with a walrus mustache. the young woman smiled at walter. “would you like something to drink?” she asked. “yes, i would, thank you, very much,” walter answered. the young woman pointed to a small refrigerator in the corner. “help yourself.” “thank you,” walter answered. he opened the door of the small refrigerator. cold air flowed out from it. after some consideration walter selected a bottle of perrier water with condensation forming on it. when he turned around the young woman and the young man were gone! the door to the room started to open. and who should enter but morris and jardine! ***