An episode - part 1

"My name is not important," he said, slouched nigh-invisibly on the couch, next to a young woman who seemed happy to receive his paradoxical affections. As I was about to leave the party later, he drew me aside and prepared and served me absinthe; so harsh, but there was euphoria in the burn. He left reality as strangely as he had entered it.

Doubting my eyes, I turned and went to the door. I stopped and chatted briefly with another young fellow, up from the basement and oblivious to the strange goings-on, then I left into the night, totally insane.