Children’s Room Decorator

He dropped his roller stick on the hardwood floor, gouging a small scrape as it’s metal arm hit. He didn’t care, and neither did the woman who was watching in awe from the doorway. He studied the walls, hands planted firmly on his hips with a scowl of a man who intended to conquer a well known enemy.



There was a long silence, his intense breathing hissing audibly through his bushy mustache. The mother’s eyes darted from the back of his head, to the naked walls of the room, and back to his head again as if trying to gain some insight into his thoughts. She bit her lip to prevent the nervous babbling she had given into earlier. But the longer the silence, the louder his breathing became, and the more intense the clenching feeling in her stomach grew. Unable to stand it any longer, and sensing that he didn’t approve of her room, she broke in by adding to a previous conversation.
“I know it’s not impressive, I was just wondering if there were anything that could be done to… You know, spice things up a little before-“
“I see…” The decorator interrupted loudly, in an authoritative voice. Then he fell back into silence, with a slight smirk on his face which couldn’t be seen by the woman behind him. He tried not to giggle as he held the silence for as long as he could.
“What’s that?” She asked timidly.
“I see, pink!” He announced.
“Oh perfect!” She clapped her hands together. “I was just telling my husband that no matter if we have a boy or a girl that I thought Pink would-“
“I see pink and…” He interrupted, suddenly pivoting on his heels to face her. “Dolphins.”
“Dolphins?”
“Dolphins. Dolphins that will frolic across these pink expanses.” He added, staring past her shoulder as he envisioned his creation.
“Amazing.” She said breathlessly.
“Yes.” He murmured as he turned from her to pace the room with his hand rubbing his chin. “Skinless dolphins, their veins glistening in the pink waters… Gleefully.”
“Skinless?” The mother asked, becoming hesitant and confused.
“A child’s room isn’t just a canvass for fantasy. No. The best kind of fantasy is fantasy with a message. The kind of message that a child can take with them into adulthood. This child will learn that though their world may look pleasant and boundless, they are actually naked and exposed to the elements. More than naked! Skinless!”
“I see.” The mothers face lit up, her eyes fanatically staring into the walls, the imagery appearing before her.
“And the dolphins are ignorant to their plight, which will be evident in their toothy smiles and bow ties.”
“Bow ties! I love it! I can’t wait to tell Harold! I’m going to call him now!”
“Yes, call your ‘Harold’. And close the door when you leave, I need to be alone with the room as I prepare.”

As the door clicked behind her, he laughed heartily. Then, spontaneously, raised his arms up as he declared to the ceiling, “I decorate children’s rooms!” And somewhere in the depths of the earth, a small voice replied, “And you always will.”