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The Man Behind the Mask

This pandemic was hard on Frank: he lost his career, moved back in with his family and had to take a job as a grocery delivery clerk just to pay the bills and stay afloat. With his new cramped quarters, he had to give up most of his possessions, including his clothes--only room for a few outfits that he wore to his delivery job. The uncertainty was getting to him and the jealousy towards the affluent customers he served grew harder and harder every day. In particular, his customer, Dale, had it all: He was a successful entrepreneur who was able to work at home with ease (He actually became even more successful during the lock-downs). He seemed extremely handsome (behind his mask anyway), had an amazing flat, and dressed like a fashion model.  Frank delivered groceries and other packages to Dale almost daily and became increasingly envious of him. He desperately looked forward to seeing Dale though, learning more and more about him--he wished he could somehow take Dale’s place. But that was just a fantasy...

Today, when Frank made his delivery to Dale it was at the end of his shift. He was invited, as usual, to come inside the luxurious residence. Frank was always impressed at the surroundings before him and the expensive wardrobe of his customer. “Put the bag on the counter please...what was your name again,” the handsome Dale asked.

“It’s Frank. Sir,” he responded politely. He then carefully entered the kitchen area and put down the bag of food.

“It’s funny Frank, you and I have been meeting like this for months and I have no idea what you look like behind that mask,” Dale chuckled.

“Same to you Sir, I have no idea what you look like either.” Frank responded.

“Actually, nobody around here knows what I look like--except my barber. I moved into this building a year ago--a month after the pandemic started. Dale said.

Frank was surprised at this and said, “Except you always look nice in your signature wardrobe, and your hair is always perfect, how do you do it with the barbers closed up?”

“Thanks, i have a private barber.” Dale handed Frank a card. “Here, you should give him a try, maybe clean up that mop you have, clean up that scruff. Tell him Dale sent you.”

“Thanks, I will.” Frank said with enthusiasm.

The two spoke for a about twenty more minutes, with Frank learning much about his new friend: what he did for a living as an investor, that he had no friends in town since he moved here from overseas, and that he had no family.

“I’m a loner, I’m afraid!” sighed Dale. “I was hoping to start up new friends when I moved back from Europe, but the pandemic had other plans.”

“Hopefully soon you can get your life going again after this ends.” responded Frank. “At least you have me as a new friend.” Frank winked at Dale.

“That I do Frank. Well, I best be getting back to work now. Hope to see you soon.”

Frank left with a smirk behind his cloth mask. He thought to himself, “Nobody knows what he looks like?” He fiddled with Dale’s barbershop business card as he walked out of the luxurious penthouse apartment.

Over the next week, Frank day-dreamed how he could replace Dale and take over his life. He methodically learned more and more each visit. He was determined to make this happen as soon as possible--who knew how long masks would be required? After replacing the wealthy bachelor, he could remove his mask and nobody would know of the replacement...What a fantasy!

As usual, Frank brought his final delivery for the day to Dale’s residence. When he arrived, he noticed that Dale was packing things up for a trip. “Going somewhere?” Frank asked with concern. “Yeah, I’m flying back to Europe for a week to close out some transactions, but I’ll be back late Friday. Hey--this trip was sudden and i still have daily deliveries coming to me. Would you mind doing me a favor and bringing them into my apartment while I’m gone?” asked Dale as he put on his Armani overcoat.

“Sure, but what do I do with your deliveries?” asked Frank. “Simple, I’ll give you the security code and key to my place, you can just drop it off inside while I’m away. I feel i can trust you after getting to know you so well these past few months. As you know...you are my only friend here in town. In the entire country!”

“Okay, thanks, I appreciate that.” Frank replied, his mind racing with this news. Frank put down the deliveries and Dale showed him how to get access to his penthouse...his private domain. “Okay, my driver is here, need to get to the airport.” explained Dale as they both left the luxurious residence.

Frank quickly left and tried to control his breathing as he imagined the possibilities, Could he live as Dale for the week he was gone? Or maybe longer?

Frank looked at his shabby reflection in a store window and pulled out of his pocket the barber’s business card that Dale gave him weeks ago. There ws no way he could be like Dale with hair and a beard like this. It was just around the corner where he met the trendy barber and was surprised that he was not wearing a mask.

“Hi, I’m a friend of Dale--He recommended you to clean me up.” said Frank.

“Sure, welcome,” said the barber, “Hope you don’t mind me not wearing a mask, its hard for me to use it all day. Funny--you look a lot like Dale under that mask--same hair color and texture...have a seat.”

“Actually, I was hoping you could give me his same hair style, i really like it on him” requested Frank. “Sure, let’s see what we can do.” the barber said. The barber looked him over, got out his clippers and started working. He methodically styled his hair to match his other client.

Frank could not believe his eyes as he watched the transformation in the mirror. “What do you think?” the barber broke Frank’s concentration. “It’s amazing. I really look like him.” Frank replied. “Yeah, but you got to let me take care of that out of control beard. Dale always keeps his clean. Take off your mask.” the barber requested. Frank slowly removed the covering.”

“Wow, you really do look similar to Dale. Its going to be hard to tell you apart once I’m done with you. You want me trim you just like I do for him?” asked the barber. “Yes, please...” Frank anxiously whispered aloud.

The barber spent much time getting Frank’s beard to match Dale’s. The barber took it on as a special challenge to get it exact. An hour later, the transformation was done. “Mission complete!” joked the barber. “If it wasn’t for the clothes, you could easily pass for Dale now. He’s always dressed to impress--no offense.” the  barber explained. “None taken,” Frank responded. “I only wish I had his wardrobe.” Frank paid the barber with a big tip and left in a daze.

Frank walked back to Dale’s penthouse with anticipation.He knew he would be gone and could easily enter the private domain with the security code and key that he now possessed. He was nervous, however, afraid someone would catch him entering.

He arrived at the familiar door. A door that until now was a barrier to the life he envied. It reminded him of how many deliveries he brought before, and the jealousy he had for Dale. But no longer...he slowly punched in the code, and heard the alarm disengage. He inserted the borrowed key and turned it. The door opened and the familiar scent arrived at Franks nose.

“Hello? Anyone here? Dale?” Frank questioned to be sure he was alone. Nothing. He decided to look around. He was familiar with this main room where he would frequently chat with Dale, but now he was able to tour his entire penthouse. He looked through the luxurious place until he entered Dale’s bedroom. Then, the walk-in closet. Frank took a deep breath, the scent of Dale’s cologne and clothes were very strong. He looked through all the expensive clothing: designer labels, custom-fitted outfits that he could never afford. After minutes of admiring the amazing wardrobe, he pulled out the clothes that were worn by Dale the previous day, a complete outfit left in the hamper. Armani tee shirt, custom fitted pants, doc marten shoes, leather jacket. He even found his worn socks and underwear. He wanted to wear the very clothes he had seen on him yesterday. He couldn’t strip out of his own ragged clothes fast enough. He slipped into Dale’s underwear, then pants. His heart beat doubled as he realized they were a perfect fit. Now the shirt, Dale’s cologne attaching to Frank’s body. He picked up the shoes and jacket and sat on Dale’s king size bed. He smiled as the shoes also fit perfectly.

Now fully dressed in Dale’s clothing, Frank was euphoric. He looked at his reflection in the attached bathroom and could not believe the transformation. On the counter Frank noticed one of Dale’s used face masks. He had to see...he put it on himself. Nobody would be able to tell the difference now. He looked exactly like Dale. He WAS Dale now.

Frank decided to test drive his new identity and took a walk around the City. People recognized “Dale” and chatted with him.

Back in his new residence, he spent hours researching Dale’s life, learning everything he could. He hit the jackpot when he used the same pass-code as the security system on Dale’s computer. He now had access to Dale’s emails, calendar, contacts, social media accounts. Later, he discovered a small safe in the closet and used the same pass-code again--Bingo! He found a treasure of documents including Dale’s birth certificate and social security card. Tucked away were some credit cards, his drivers license and best of all--the passwords to Dale’s financial accounts. Frank could easily take over all of Dale’s identity now.

Frank decided to explore more, to experience life as Dale. On the computer, he found Dale’s workout plan and decided to take full advantage of the private gym in the complex. He dressed in Dale’s workout clothes, face mask and started HIS workout regiment.

During his workout, another resident entered and quizzically looked at Frank. “Hey Dale, thought you were heading out of town for a while.” his unknown neighbor asked. He was relieved that he passed inspection, but not sure how to respond back. “Yeah, I canceled my trip due to the Covid variants. Better to be safe.” the new Dale responded.

The neighbor worked-out along with “Dale” and they had some casual conversation--confirming that nobody knew what Dale looked like under the mask. The possibilities running through Frank’s head...

Over the next 24 hours, Frank took a deep dive into his new life. He tried on all of Dale’s clothes, lived life as Dale and convinced himself that he was Dale. Frank was becoming so obsessed with his new mission of stealing Dale’s life that he quit his delivery job. All the excitement pushed Frank into a deep slumber as he slept in HIS new bed, covered in luxury linens.

The next morning, Frank heard a series of knocks at Dale’s door. He panicked. Was his fantasy over? He took the risk of opening the door and discovered his replacement was delivering Dale’s daily food order.

Now HE was the one receiving the delivery. It was an amazing experience. He welcomed the new delivery boy in and exchanged pleasantries. How life had changed as the delivery boy thanked him by his new name, “Dale.”

Over the next week, Frank became Dale in so many ways. He ran into neighbors and locals while out walking in his new wardrobe. Everyone knew him as Dale. Frank became more and more addicted to his new life. He would not give this up. But Friday was quickly approaching...

Frank thought hard about how he would permanently steal Dale’s life. He decided to change the security code and have a new key made for Dale’s penthouse. Frank would wait for Dale’s return, catch him off guard and ensure that he was “taken care of.”

Friday came. Frank dressed in his former clothes, disguising himself so that nobody would see two Dales, and waited in the street for him to return from his trip abroad. When Dale’s driver dropped him off out front, Frank slowly followed him into the building. He watched in the dim hallway as Dale had difficulty gaining access to his (former) castle. Dale grew more and more frustrated as his security code was rejected. And the key did not work! Still holding onto his luggage, the confused and upset Dale was not able to protect himself as Frank lunged at him with a rag drenched in chloroform. To Frank, the struggle seemed to take forever, but in just a few minutes, Dale was unconscious and slumped into Frank’s arms.

Once Frank was confirmed that Dale was out, he quickly input the new security code, and opened the door with HIS revised key, dragging the limp body of Dale into the apartment. With speed, Frank stripped Dale of every piece of clothing, jewelry and most importantly--his passport. He then brought over some heavy rope he had purchased earlier and firmly secured Dale to a chair inside one of the guest rooms. He also gagged Dale to ensure none of HIS neighbors would be suspicious when he awoke.

WEEKS LATER

The new Dale was enjoying life to the fullest. As the lock-down restrictions began to ease up, “Dale” was able to remove his mask and finally introduce himself fully to all of his neighbors. He realized “his” dream of meeting new friends and starting a new life. If only people new that this life was completely new, in more ways than anyone knew.

Frank took over Dale’s life quite easily. Wearing all of his clothes, performing his job as an investor (with some research) and enjoying his new found wealth. He took advantage of all aspects of Dale’s rich life including his luxury penthouse. He fit into this new high life quite well. His former life as a delivery boy was a distant memory.

Whatever happened to the real Dale, you ask? The real Dale was still important to Frank. Continuously drugged and secured, Frank drained every piece of important information out of Dale that he could. No detail was too small--this was for the long-haul. The only concern was what to do with him after there was no additional information to be taken. Perhaps the police would simply find the drugged-out remains of a poor delivery driver? In the end, there would be only one Dale.

The day soon came when Frank would fully test out his new life in an important way: He needed to fly to Europe again for “his”work. Frank decided to don the very outfit that Dale wore on his last trip. The three-piece suit fit elegantly on his body body and looked just as good on him as it did Dale. Because, of course he was Dale now. Dale flashed his first class ticket and passport at the gate and was waived right on. Life was good.