Chapter 1

For a brief time just after college, Hugo and Robodude shared a railroad track apartment in Astoria, New York. It was a one bedroom fifth floor walk up, with hardwood floors and freshly painted walls in a large brick building. The apartment was on the nice part of town, on a tree lined block. There was a small bookshop on the corner, a park near by, and a few blocks away was a super market, Chinese food place, Laundromat and corner store At first Hugo was a little apprehensive about living with Robodude as he had been heard rumors that Robodude was a hard partier, but as it turned out Robodude had many redeeming qualities; he was an outstanding cook and was also very clean. Hugo bought a couch for the apartment and Robodude got a good deal on a coffee table. Hugo and Robodude got along very well. They both worked during the day, Hugo as a telemarketer and Robodude took a job as a dog walker. Every evening Hugo and Robodude would come home from work, watch television and order tacos from La Pollo Loco restaurant on 30th ave. Robodude’s favorite TV show was called “The Adventures of El Bandito”.
The walls of the apartment were very thin. One day Hugo was leaving his building and he saw the old man who lived next door, “Hi my name is Andy Fritz”. That day Hugo and Andy spent forty-five minutes talking about everything from poetry to the weather and television. From behind the curtain on the window of the first floor peered Miss Shirley, Hugo and Robodude’s landlady. Miss Shirley was tough but fair. She was a petite woman with a very big mouth. Shirley was a notorious gossip and wannabe match maker. She told them “No parties, no over night guests.” Shirley was very lonely, her husband had passed away a long time ago and now she would relish any opportunity to talk to Hugo or Robodude. One Sunday morning Hugo left the building carrying a pillow case stuffed with dirty laundry. He was heading toward the Laundromat when he was stopped by Shirley. Shirley was standing next to a tall masculine looking woman.
Shirley said; “Oh hello Hugo, there is someone special I would like you to meet, this is Sanathraja, she is unmarried can you believe it? A beautiful girl like this with no husband.”
Hugo was shocked, he struggled with the laundry and said “Nice to meet you Sanathraja.”
Shirley: “Hugo, Sanathraja is a professional athlete.”
Hugo: (without emotion) “Oh wow that’s great.”
Sanathraja had very broad shoulders and a squared jaw line. She wore a light blue dress shirt tucked into a white khaki skirt, with a navy blazer. The blazer had a royal crest with a Latin inscription that read “Deus et natua non faciunt frusta”.
Hugo motioned towards the street when Shirley nudged Sanathraja with her elbow and said “Go on don’t be shy.”
Sanathraja took a big step forward extended her hand with hard knuckles and said “A pleasure to meet you Hugo.” Hugo extended out a few of his fingers as otherwise he would of dropped his laundry.
Sanathraja: “Yes it is true I am a professional athlete. I was the bronze medal in the 800 meters race. I have also competed in and won several triathlons.”
Hugo smiled graciously and repeated “Wow that’s great.”
Sanathraja continued; “I really won the gold, but they took it away from me.”
Shirley interrupted “Well let’s not talk about that…. Eh hem (clears throat) so know Hugo what are your plans for today.
Hugo lifts the bag of laundry and says “Ah just running some errands you know.”
Shirley: “Hugo did me mention Sanathraja is unmarried,”
Awkward silence
Shirley: “and right now you are single too, is that right Hugo?
Hugo: “Well I’m not sure…?”
Shirley: “I and Robodude had a nice conversation just the other day and he told me Hugo was in the market for a girlfriend.”
Sanathraja smiled.
Hugo: (very serious) “I told Robodude that in confidence.”
More awkward silence.
Finally Hugo says “Well I really do gotta get to this laundry, it was nice to meet you. Byyyye!”
Hugo managed to get about ten yards away when Sanathraja called out after him “maybe I’ll come over sometime.”
Hugo: (loud) Ok! (softly) whatever.


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