Starting at the back of his skull he unwrapped the plastic, winding down his head and neck, down each arm, around his torso, down each leg, and finally removed the seafoam green latex gloves I’d failed to even notice he was wearing. He let them drop like heavy leaves onto the small mound of plastic wrap before opening his stance, extending his arms, and holding position.

His muscles glistened with slime under the lights.

The instructor said, “Okay, get drawing.”

Maria looked at me and mouthed, “what the fuck.”

*

At break, the model went straight into the bathroom.

Maria and I smoked out front.

I said, “I feel like I’m going crazy.”

“I know, is this not weird to anyone else?”

“Maybe he has a disease.”

“If so, it’s gross of Mr. Gottlieb to use him like this.”

Someone cleared their throat behind us, and it was him. His wet body shone in the sun, muscles flexed as he lifted a hand and said, “Got an extra smoke?”

Maria gasped and laughed. “Oh my god, it’s a fucking suit.”

“Yeah, what’d you think?” he said.

“I feel so stupid.”

He lit the cigarette and curled his lip. “You wanna see what’s underneath?”