The Man and the Moon - IP

I was strolling up Main street when I came upon the moon hiding out on the ground floor of a four story brownstone.

“There you are,” I said. “I’ve been looking for you.”

“Oh?” said the moon.

“That woman sitting by herself in the garden cafe across the street is Ellen” I said. “My name is William.”

“Hello, William,” said the moon. “She’s lovely.”

“She is,” I said. “I’m going to ask her to marry me.”

“I hope you get what you ask for,” said the moon.

“I’m confidant I will,” I said. “But it would be a tremendous help if you were to make an appearance.”

“I don’t do that anymore,” said the moon. “Too many broken promises made under my seductive glow.”

”I don‘t plan on breaking any promises,” I said.

“No one ever does," said the moon. “But they do. And I’m always left holding the bag for all the lost souls wandering the earth.”

“I can’t very well propose under a blackened sky,” I said. “I need your blessing.”

“Why do they come to me?” said the moon. “No one’s ever explained that to me.”

“You have this irresistible hold over people,” I said. “When you’re around there’s hope. When you’re gone there’s despair. And you’ve been gone away too long. Since that time the marriage rate has taken a tremendous plunge and the waters don’t seem to know how to control their tides. River towns and ocean cities have been destroyed by floods. Causing more broken hearts than any broken promise ever could.”

“Hmm,” said the moon. “Never thought of it that way.”

“No pressure,” I said. “We all need a break ever now and then, but then we get back to business.”

“You mind giving me a few minutes to freshen up?” said the moon. “I’ve been trying to smooth out some of these craters.”

“No, no,” I said. “That’s part of your man in the moon charm.”

“Really?” said the moon. “I always felt a little self-conscience.”

“They give you character,” I said. “People trust a good character.”

“I’ve always been a sucker for a smooth talker,” said the moon. “You better get over to the cafe before Ellen thinks you stood her up. You don’t won’t to disappoint your future bride.”

“Thank you,” I said.

“You’re welcome,” said the moon. “But if you break that girls heart I’m done with lighting the way. No pressure, though.”

The sky was especially bright that evening. Ellen and I married a month later.

We had an outdoor wedding and gave the moon a place at the head table. It was a huge success.