Madness
by Anna MacAlister
February of 2005
Written while listening to 'Shake Your Love Maker' 
by Cherry Poppin'' Daddies

Dim lights blended into nothing as a stage band played an intoxicating beat, enveloping the bear's senses and hypnotizing him. Slowly he felt his body start to move in time. In the center of the floor a red flicker twisting in and out of the light caught his eye. As the atmosphere turned smoky the flicker enveloped him, morphing into a petiet brunette bearess. Eyes closed she made love to the music in arms, her voice barely audible, none the less enticing. He spun her out as the beat hung percariously in the air. Was he breathing? He inhaled deeply only to forget again as gold eyes met his. 

His hand on her slender waist the two danced, bodies intertwined as the zealous rhythm swallowed them.' The cherry hue of her dress blending with the sounds of the horn hovered around him. He couldn't hear straight, he couldn't see straight, the lady had him mesmerized. Was he spinning her, or was the room spinning him? Blue light shadowed her face as they merged into the red. Her eyes were closed again, sensing the beat through him and the air. Every move she made was heavy with the music, making him light headed from watching her.
 
Her cheeks flushed, a bead of sweat appeared on the side of her brow. Brushing away the drop with his thumb, he cupped her head to his. 
She met his gaze as the lights went deeper, and a song that should have been called 'Good-Bye Sanity' came on. A flash of leg and the sound of her sigh spelled his doom. Floating through soft hair, the fabric of her dress, the curve of tense muscle, and then her hand clasping his arm; he knew he was a goner. Her head tilted with the heartbeat of the drum, he caught a faint wisp of rose. Her smile was breaking him...and that horn...
 
The girl was hot on his lips as she sat down on the bar beckoning him further. Her leg brushing him as her foot traced his thigh. A plummeting neckline drew in his eyes into sin. Her fingers playing at his shirt buttons sent wild notions through his head. Another song started up. Not so shyly he scooped her up, feeling the softness of her thigh. 
 
She spoke in his ear, her smile trailing off.
 
The music grew louder as the party faded, still she led him on. 
Red lights turned to sheets, and the band sang on from a radio. The moon reflected in her eyes and the madness claimed him. Gazing down he watched her slender hand traced her bare shoulders. An inviting smile graced her face as he felt her hands making their way down his chest. 
 
He tried following her graceful form, but his vision blurred and she started to fade. The band had gone from horns to a dull ring. Red bled violently into yellow, and distant voices reached his ears. 
 
Baloo forced his eyes open and squinted at the nightstand. The alarm clock read 7 am before meeting his fist. Rebecca's voice drifted up from the office prompting a groan from the pilot. Baloo knew better than to hope she would allow him to sleep in. If he dallied too long she would be after him with a pale of water for sure. Rather than having Rebecca drag him out of bed he sat up and stretched lazily, his dream having slipped from mind.
 
Dragging himself downstairs he halted halfway with a huge yawn, absently staring at his boss. Rebecca sat at her desk reading the morning paper, absently tracing her collarbone with a finger. She sighed listlessly, pursing her lips in boredom. 
 
Baloo gulped as an image swept over him suddenly. 
 
Rebecca raised her head and smiled, "Good morning, Baloo." She said cheerfully, her hand falling to the desk from the center of her neck. 
 
Baloo's eyes followed the path. Upon meeting her gold eyes he turned deep red.
 
Rebecca eyed him. 'Baloo, are you alright?'
 
Baloo swallowed. 'Fine, Beckers.' He started for the kitchen.
 
'Oh, Baloo,I wanted to ask you... ' Rebecca reached down and pulled up a pink bag.' 'What do you think of this dress?'
 
Baloo choked as his boss held up a cherry red v-neck dress; the dream hit him in full.'' 
 
'I have a date tonight and need a second opinion.'
 
Baloo froze. 'Hold that thought.' Baloo spun on his heel and calmly strolled out the front door.
 
Puzzled, Rebecca followed him.' 'Baloo?' To her surprise he walked down the dock and jumped off. 'Baloo!?'
 
'Yeah, Becky?'
 
'Are you sure you're okay?' She asked, peering over the edge at him.
 
'I'm fine.' He said, hauling himself out of the water.
 
'Why do I not believe you?' Arms crossed, regarding him curiously.
 
'I told ya, I'm fine.' He disappeared into the Sea Duck, and returned with a towel and dry shirt.
 
'You're acting funny. What's going on?'
 
'Nothing.'
 
Rebecca frowned.' 'Then why did you jump in the water?'
 
'I wanted to take a swim that's all.'
 
'Now I know you're lying.'
 
'Look, I felt like it alright. I'm not lying to ya.'
 
'Come on, Baloo, you can't expect me to believe that. I mean~' 
 
Now frustrated, Baloo marched back up & inside, leaving Rebecca where she stood.' 'Baloo, where are you going? Baloo!'
 
She found him in the kitchen fixing himself scrambled eggs. 'Baloo, something's bothering you, now what is it?'
 
'Absolutely nothing.' He said shortly.
 
'You're not jealous are you?'
 
Baloo stared at her, his mouth hanging open.' 'Are you Nuts, Lady? Just wear the dress Rebecca, but don't blame me if yer date can't keep his hands off ya.'
 
Rebecca blushed, mildly embarrassed.' 'Oh..., I suppose it is a little suggestive...' She held the garment in her hands up to her body, checking to see where it fell. 
 
Baloo slapped his eggs on a plate and chucked the pan in the sink. 
..........
 
'Don't mumble. Honestly Baloo, it's not that revealing. Don't you think you're over-reacting?'
 
'Over-reacting? Sweetheart, I'm doing no such thing.'
 
'I think you are. I mean to me the dress is presentable. Do you really find it suggestive? And couldn't you have just said something instead of diving head first into the~'
 
'Will you stop?!'
'Baloo?' 
 
'Let's just say that you and that red dress popped up in a dream last night, and now I got the willies. So drop it.' He backed off.
 
'You had a dream about me? In this?' Her eyes were wide.
 
He snorted, all the while blushing.' 'More like a nightmare...'
 
'That doesn't make any sense.'
 
'It doesn't have to.' He wolfed down his meal, throwing the plate in the pan.
 
'Don't get short with me, mister.' She snapped. 'It's bad enough you're over-reacting about the dress.'
 
'Lady, I'm anything but over-reacting, and my problem isn't with your dress.'
 
'Then what?' Rebecca exclaimed.' 'I want you to tell me what your problem is right now!'
 
Baloo growled. 'Drop it.' He turned away from her.
 
'Baloo!' She darted in front of him, blocking the doorway.' 'Don't you think~'
 
He got down on her level with a spark in his dark grey eyes that made her start. 'Becky,' he cut her off, lifting her chin and going nose to nose.' 'You have no idea what I think.'
 
Rebecca parted her lips to speak, but the dress fell to the floor instead.