This is a preview of the short story Dance, which was published in the annual literary magazine Soy Nut Butter (2007).
The sparkle of rainbow lights cast writhing shadows dramatically over Ralph’s face as he stepped through the door. Dying to escape, the shadows could struggle only briefly before their brutal extinction; but Ralph noticed none of this as the sizzling smells of sweat and lust briefly overwhelmed his nostrils and thunderous music assaulted his ears. He began to sink into that realm of mindless comfort that the familiar din of this dim and dusty otherworld often brought. His eyes became accustomed to the haze, and the sight of the mass of bodies pressing close in contained ecstasy brought a fiery burn to his heart. It was a very human desire to be part of that mass—to belong. Ralph shook his head violently. No. I’m above that.