The Perfect Man

Look at him.

He is every woman's dream, according to the media and red tops. Men admire him, and that is what they aspire to. If he spoke to you, you would trust every word that he said.

If you were looking for someone to fill an important position at a company, you would know that this man would be your first choice.

His shoes shine. His trousers, jacket and shirt and perfectly pressed, and he does not have a hair out of place.

Everyone who sees him admires him; they are not interested in what he has done, just what they think he can do, and when he speaks, his words flow like liquid gold, full of future promise that cannot be questioned or denied.

He is the first on your list if you are holding a dinner party. He may not accept, but if he does, then it is a feather in your cap. Ladies and some men, hope he will ask them out on a date, he is often seen in the best clubs and restaurants, as well as the main theatres in town. This man loves his Shakespeare and Ibsen, so rumour has it.

He is often seen with beautiful women and handsome men on his arm, but he has no known attachments; these just seem to be single dates, and no one hears about them after they have happened for some reason.

Fashion and gossip magazines never get near him, and his dates always seem to fade into the night, so all the articles about him are conjecture, but have no substance, apart from emphasising how handsome, intelligent and attractive he is.

Although he is a mystery, that only adds to his attraction. He does short-term management work and sometimes acts as an escort. He's fees, unusually are always transacted in hard cash, and that is how he pays for everything if he ever has to.

Often, places are so pleased to have him there, the cost of meals, drinks and theatre tickets are often waived. People notice him when he is there, and if it is known that he will be at an event, tickets become like gold dust.

At the end of the day or night, he retires to his apartment, but no one has found out where that is. Taxi drivers that he uses always seem to forget that they have taken him home, though sometimes he is accompanied, but the identities of those dates are never revealed.

The paparazzi try to follow him every day, and while he is photographed when he is out, he smiles but never speaks to them. They try to follow him to find out more about this perfect man, but they always fail, often ending their chase in the middle of a deserted street, wondering what they were doing. They are the lucky ones; some disappear like the perfect man's dates.

His life seems to be the perfect template for every man: to look perfect, have perfect dates, court respect, and be the envy of almost every other man, and even some women.

He is known by all, but known by no one. His integrity is never questioned, and he does only what he deems fitting for himself.

When others copy his style, he changes, not like a chameleon, but his old suits suddenly seem to become unfashionable. He is an icon, but his identity is invisible. He is what he is.

He is the perfect man; everyone is certain of this. He could not be anything else.

The only problem, this man is Jack the Ripper.