“Make yourself comfortable, little mouse…” I lead you into my flat, noting how nervous you look already. And the night hasn’t even begun.

Disregarding my words to get comfortable, you stand in the center of the room with your hands clasped together in front of you. The picture of unease. I think I have that effect on people. Your eyes dart around the room, taking it all in.

“Would you like anything to drink?” I’m looking to get something in you to calm your nerves, but you reply with ‘Water’s fine’. I oblige anyway.

I leave you alone in the room and head for my kitchen, shaking my head in my exit. You look so out of place at my flat. Like an innocent little thing that just got its first glimpse of hell. Like a little mouse that found the cat’s territory. I’d do anything to get you to let that iron tight guard of yours down. Get you to be yourself, be free around me.

I’ll get there with you eventually. As long as it stays a one way street. There’s definitely some things I should keep to myself, even if I’ll be digging to know every fraction of your being.

I walk back into the living room with a water for you and a glass of bourbon for me. You’re still standing there, like a statue carved out of marble, in the middle of the room. Haven’t even moved an inch. Perhaps you’re scared that the cat might attack.

And, hell, I’m trying not to. I can at least try to be a gentleman with you.

I place our drinks on the coffee table, hoping it’ll coax you to sit on the couch with me. It works—slightly. You move to sit on the very edge of the cushion, five feet from me. I’m so tempted to close the gap. But you seem distracted. Instead of letting your eyes dance around the room anymore, they’re trained on something specific.

My eyes trace your line of vision, landing on the… Oh, shit. No, no. Please don’t ask about the—

“What’s on all those tapes?”

Shit. Shit. Shit. Shit. This cannot be happening. Not now. I can’t deal with this now. Now when I’ve just got you to sit on my couch.

“They’re, uh—“ I scratch the back of my neck nervously, “—home movies.”