Rusty electrical outlets screwed to baseboards. Water damage to walls. Loose Linoleum tiles in the kitchen and bathroom. Chipped paint. Cracked toilet. Stained carpets. A hot plate on the window frame.

Water is boiled, and tea bags float atop. Sugar and cream containers sit on a card table. Folding chairs on all four sides. The old man sits and waits for the conversation to begin.

Would you care for some tea? He asks his imaginary friend. Wait. I’ll pour it for you, he says to himself. He walks over to the cabinet and pulls two dirty cups from the top shelf; he uses his tee-shirt to wipe out mouse droppings . He pours tea into the cups and hums a song. Is that all there is? He sings. Is that all there is? The old man does a shuffle step and continues singing. If that’s all there is my friend….then let’s keep dancing…

He sits down and pushes the filled cup across the table. Here, he says. Drink up while it’s still hot. He tells him. Go on. Have a sip. He looks at nothing. Would you like some cream and sugar? The pretend partner nods his head. Good. Very good. The old man stirs in spoiled cream and pours sugar into the cups.

There, he says. Isn’t this nice? Lovely? I’m glad you stopped by. He pulls out a half burned cigarette from a pile in the ashtray. Always great to see you. Again, the invisible man nods his head. Yeah. Always great to see you.

He drinks his tea and looks at no one. Turns his head and looks out the window. Snow is falling.

Lovely, he says. Just lovely. He raises his cup. Cheers.