TO BE OR NOT TO BE - PART 4

He opened the door and I got in, he got in and put his arm around me again. I didn't dislike Mark, I had never really thought about him, and of course, never had an inkling I'd be dating him. He always seemed to be in a different league than the rest of us. Not in a stuck up way but like he was a senior and we were all freshmen. Like he's seen it all and nothing fazes him. Now, I think I'm going to re-examine what makes Mark tick.
He took me to an upscale Italian restaurant that was small, dark, and crowded. It had to be one of the local hot spots because I saw a couple of people I recognized from the movies and a female country and western star. Mark was the perfect gentleman, opening doors, pulling out my chair, he enjoyed showing me off and spoiling me. To tell the truth, I enjoyed it too.
We had a light meal and made small talk. Because of the crowd, they rushed us out after half an hour. I was seeing Mark in a new light. He was charming, witty, funny, and told great stories about the things he has done like big wave surfing in Hawaii and sailing his boat throughout the Caribbean and the places he's traveled like Africa. I was having such a good time, when he asked if I wanted to take a Hansom Cab ride around Central Park, I forgot all about the audition I had the next day and said I'd love to.
Sitting in the open carriage, I was really cold. Mark took off his jacket and put it around my shoulders and he moved up another notch on my chart. He reached over and put his hand inside the jacket. I thought he was getting fresh and pulled away from him. He said he just wanted to get something out of the pocket and pulled out a little brown vial with something powdery inside. He twisted off the cap, stuck it up to his nose and inhaled. He offered it to me. Not knowing what it was, I shied away from him.
"It's Peruvian flake," he said. I shrugged my shoulders.
"Cocaine," he whispered.
"Oh," I said, taking the vial and copying Mark. Maybe this Mark guy ain't so bad, I told myself.