“I’m the master of all strings that create and sing a symphony”
Harlem
A Diary of A Single Man: Midnight Text
Behold and marvel at the many different beautiful creatures that inhabit the corners of the earth. From the minerals, to vegetable, insects, animals and to the people commonly walk the city streets. I find the intersections of life is full in abundance of prolific and profound angles.
Act One
Split Screen
Scene A
Entry Date: 8/17/17
Fade In:
Cellphone keypad strokes & music heard in the background
Conversations With Nikki: Midnight Text
Nikki:
Hey, do you know why there’s a Channel 2 Live truck on property?
Harlem:
They continuously do this. Okay, please call Jennifer asap. Where are they?
Nikki:
Ok… Sitting in the lot of Plaza 1
Harlem:
Please approach the news truck. Kindly ask them to state the nature of their business.
Nikki:
Will do.
Harlem:
If they’re just chillin’ politely ask them to leave the property. If they are on business please collect their business cards and contact Jennifer. Ask Jennifer if she’s aware of any news station allowed on property, at this time.
Nikki:
Ok. They’re doing a story at 11pm.
Harlem
Call Jennifer or Mark to see if they want you to shut it down.
Nikki:
No answer with Jennifer. I’m calling Mark.
Harlem:
Thank you very much.
Nikki:
So now I’m suppose to interrupt the live taping…?
Harlem:
Did Mark advise you to shut it down? If so give them the signal to shut it down. They may shoot regardless if so call Mark back informing him they wouldn’t adhere to your request and they were making a 11pm deadline. Basically they ignored your request.
Nikki:
Thank you Harlem…
Harlem:
Always…
Nikki:
I can always count on you!
Harlem:
And you always will… With that said… Beware of those who just want a plate to go.
Nikki:
Interesting! Thank you!
Harlem:
You are more than take-out.
Nikki:
Indeed I am!! But it sounds like I need to her more than what you’re saying…?
Harlem:
(Remains silent)
Nikki:
You good?
Harlem:
Only when your’re around. I mean, Yes. Yeah that’s it. Hmm, I was typing to fast.
Nikki:
Lol… good!
Harlem:
I almost broke a finger or two replying back to you.
Nikki:
Don’t hurt yourself
Harlem:
Too late… The last time I bumped my head on the floor.
Nikki:
Poor thing…
Harlem:
Keep in mind, the loudest one in the room is the weakest.
Nikki:
Typically how it goes in the clock punching world. My back hurt. I want to be in bed.
Harlem:
(Cloud bubble to self… I didn’t need the visual. Keep it clean Harlem)
Does it hurt from the accident?
Nikki:
Yes… I think it’s tension in the middle of my back…
A Diary of A Single Man: Midnight Text
Harlem:
(Focus Harlem…) So it’s your back… Hmm… Not to change the subject but it didn’t help you coming in the office dressed and looking like you should be licked, very slowly and shit. Tattoo showin’, skin glowin’, face golden. I was like… I gotta go. Stop laughing.
Nikki:
Lmao
Harlem:
Toes poppin’. All I could think about was lollipopin’. I don’t do toes cause i’m not into jam but dem shits. Man! They fucked my head up but you already know that.
Nikki:
Lmao… Man I’m glad I didn’t wear what I was originally going to wear…
Harlem:
Hold up. Why you trying to make stuff ooze to the top in broad daylight? You’ll mess around and start a fire, making a Brutha recite poems from the past? Mmm, a dress would mean special underwear with a mastered walk to match.
Nikki:
Lmao!!! Yep
Harlem:
Stop! Umm. I have to ask, what were you trying to wear?
Nikki:
A dress was thought about.
Harlem:
I already know cause I could smell it. It was in the air. Bending over slightly to erase something from the white board. I was like, I don’t have time to dream. Please lord make her stop.
Nikki:
Wait, what was in the air?
Harlem:
Nothing. It’s an expression that means a person can already tasted it before it happens. Then again I have to consider I’m six years weak and I could be having a moment.
Nikki:
Dayum!
Harlem:
Your boy hasn’t learned and applied the golden rule… To first get your house in order before you try to holla.
Nikki:
That’s true shit!
Harlem:
I tried to school him but he has his own concerns and visceral fear of change.
Nikki:
He doesn’t get it
Harlem:
I told him normally unavailable people fuck with unavailable people. I added, if you have to step out fuck with a person who has something equally to lose.
Nikki:
That’s some good notebook and ink pens type teachings!!!
Harlem:
Then he did the no-no and I had to distance myself from him, he took off his ring. He’s thirsty and limited without his gold badge. I don’t need a badge or Christmas ornament. I’m the master of all strings that create and sing a symphony. I asked him why do you give up all your gold coins at the first introduction? Why are you quick to tell a woman you’re a Director, retired from the service plus you’re in school. These women haven’t earned the privilege to know all of that information. I asked him why are you so quick to wear your worth on your sleeve? Make her work for it. Give her small sips from the cup to drink and to ponder. But no, he has to overkill shit.
Nikki:
Harlem, you are saying some real shit!
Harlem:
So you were going to wear a dress. I wonder what’s that is all about? But you’re saving it for the slaughter… Hmm. You know, I find you interesting. I see how you space shit out. A outfit here and there. The hair falls down just for a moment to set the tone, blowin’ an hypnotic spear in the air.
Nikki:
So you think I’m calculated?
Harlem:
You’re a leo, the lion. You setup your prey.
Nikki:
Why do you find me interesting? What’s interesting about me? So who’s the prey?
Harlem:
It was the every first day, during your so-called interview. I walked in the office and seen a woman who’s posture read, “I got this job already boy, stop playin nicca.” I was like who da phuck is dat? Then about a month ago you enter the building from the back entrance. I, of course seen you and was placed in a trance. You were sticking all out displaying shyt I never knew was there. You had stuff jiggling and jumpin’.
Nikki:
😂 😂
That’s when I said to myself… Just sit on my face why don’t cha and don’t worry if I can breathe or not. Who cares if I fall the fuck out. So I hung my head low and just walked away like a little bitch.
Nikki:
Awww damn lol.
A Diary of A Single Man: Midnight Text
Harlem:
Thank you for allowing me the vision leading to your need of a rubber band. The mere sight of it was, priceless. I’ve never seen your hair worn unfurled like that before and now your vision has engraved itself a place and a space on my mind. To tell you the truth, I try not to look for too long. Don’t want you to catch me, but for some reason I fear you already felt it. A woman’s intuition tends to never let her down.
Nikki:
😂 😂
Harlem:
(He shakes his head)
I’m just glad i couldn’t find any rubber bands. I mean I could’ve looked for them a little harder but lets be real for a minute. You’ve been holding out on the undiscovered hair flow. Now I know. Thanks again for giving a brother a lil peak.
(Cloud bubble to self… She knew exactly what she was doing)
It’s time to take my gift and talent to the next level and stop hiding. Lately, I’ve been sustaining invisible knife wounds in the neck and back. The hate is unbelievably real. I’m use to it and i understand it. I’m just tired and not gong to tolerate it nor entertain it. The role of the joker and gopher is nothing I wish to be apart of.
Nikki:
😂 😂 😂
Harlem:
BTW… I don’t like you working 3rd shift but I can’t speak on it. It’s not my place.
Nikki:
I’m interested to hear what you have to say…
Harlem:
I’m already over protective when it comes to you, I’m kind of like Lurch from the Addams Family. I mean, look 👀 at you. I just don’t want you out in the street at night plus working in a dark place like where we’re at. When you’re working at night and I’m at home, I don’t sleep well.
Nikki:
A friend for a lifetime!
No doubt until you change your number. I take it you’re enjoying the fuss over you.
(Cloud bubble to self… Did I just get placed on a shelf?)
Nikki:
I didn’t know there was a fuss over me…
Harlem:
Correction, me fussin’ over and about you. I don’t fuss with anyone about you.
Nikki:
I know you’re so quiet…
Harlem:
I learned to be still. It can be revealing.
Nikki:
I can read your silence.
Harlem:
I feel it from across the room.
I want to be a comfort zone for you. From a distance, I’d like to and and be around you during your high points and not so highs. Since you’ve been around you’ve added quality to my style of writing. It allows me to dream and take flight. I’m not trying to lose that edge.
Nikki:
I’m really happy to hear that I’m an inspiration to someone.
A Diary of A Single Man: Midnight Text
HarlemATL Cafe 
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