Strange Ducks #5 - The Collector

Some people collect comic books, others collect dangerous ideologies

The following story is 100% true and 1000% relevant to today’s political climate. Just a warning, it’s a long read and brings up very disturbing subjects.

It was the fall of 2009. My beloved, Debra, and I had now been living in Portland, Oregon for a little over a year after relocating from Montclair, New Jersey, a fairly upscale town about 10 miles west of New York City.

As part of making Portland our new home and to get a feel of its vibe, we decided to hit up the various nightclubs around town. This also gave us a way to meet people and possibly make some new friends here in the Rose city.

While attending a “Goth” night held at one of the larger clubs, my ever-convivial partner Debra, struck up a conversation with a woman who was complimenting her for the fabulous latex dress she was wearing.

Apparently Latex clothing was something of a rare commodity here in the Pacific Northwest. and was possibly a sign of refinement and daring personality to the average club attendee.

Deb and this woman, whose name I can’t remember, but I’ll call her “Eva” for this story, chatted for a bit and then they exchange numbers. The woman, a short, rather curvy burlesque dancer in her late twenties, expressed that she’d love to invite us out to other events around town.

Over the next few weeks, the two of them chatted back and forth via text until eventually Eva invited us to a house party at her boyfriend’s house.

When Deb told me about the invite I said, “How quaint, a house party. At least there isn’t a cover charge.”

Deb said I should can my apprehensions and go with the flow. “Who knows” she said, “Maybe we’ll meet some really cool people!”

“You mean cool like that weirdo Viking we met at the Norse Hall last May?” I countered.

Deb laughed. “Oh gosh, I hope not! Come on, what do we have to lose?”

Despite my general distrust of strangers, I eventually acquiesced to her demands that we attend the house party.