Tango Fiction

19th March 2009

"Are you sure you want to do this?"

Alex sighed and nodded. He'd lost count how many times Kaira had asked this question. "Is it really that bad?"

"Well no, it's just that to most people it's not worth the effort. They see Argentine Tango as a dance. They learn a bit, maybe some of the fancier moves and that's all they ever want. But to learn to really understand it; to see past the flash and the sparkle to the real beauty within. Not many can do that and fewer still have the patience. Seven years just to learn to walk properly. It's a big investment."

"But worth it though?"

"Oh yes," Kaira's eyes shone.

"Let's begin then."

They jacked in.

Years passed. Gradually Alex's posture improved. His movements slowly, hesitantly became imbued with grace. Like a baby learning to walk, stumbling and falling. Throughout it all the sound of their laughter buoyed him along. The foundations began to firm and from them technique appeared. The ladies at the milongas used to be slightly older than him. Gradually they left and he found that now he was the older one. Still only basic moves. Two dancers moving as one. Listening to the music, following its song. Grey hairs multiplied. His stance honed now by decades of dancing still remained strong. His balance remained focused. His feet caressed the wooden floors as he danced. So strange that they still used wood after all this time.

Kaira it seemed never grew any older. A woman's pride. He asked her once about it. "Grow older? I didn't feel like it," she replied.

Still only the most basic steps. The younger ones didn't understand. They wanted boleos and ganchos, volcadas and colgadas. Alex smiled. All the drama and passion you could ever want was within the steps. Hidden in plain sight.

An old man now. He still only knew those few steps, but now they were a part of him. A life well spent learning them, he felt. So many dances, he wondered how far his feet had travelled. He smiled. Nowhere.

He jacked out.

"Easy now, take a moment" Kaira steadied him.

He swayed as his body adjusted. Back to reality. A month of real time had passed. He sat down. Kaira brought him a cold glass of juice.

"Fun, no?" she grinned.

He smiled back. He still felt a bit too dizzy to nod.

"And I'll remember it all?"

"Yup."

He shook his head in wonder.

"I know," she smiled. "Very few can do it though. They don't have the patience. Ten minutes into the simulation and most people are yelling at me, never mind sixty years worth."

"And now?"

"Now the easier part. Go out and enjoy it."

- Christopher O'Shea, 19th March 2009