THE STORM

the.wind.brings

pUmmels

the elevated track that fails

to shelter those below.

Potholed.Patchwork streets

of Bushwick fill&

flood.

rivers.run.

streetwide oceans form.

lap against the curb -

a little beach on every corner.

(one day before)

- slAM -

my elbow.hard.on edge

same spot.where once I.jam.

fractured right funny.bone

fighting with a turkey.

.tripping down a hill

one Thanksgiving night.

Arm

(spent all day

resting.bent.broke)

threads

through sweatshirt.pouch

saving.feeble.strength.

We arrive

to nine.deep.line

despite the rain.

.umbrellas up.

The few haves

shuffle 'round

to shelter all have-nots.

Safe from the down.pour

we watch.impassive.the

rippling sea.

Taxis light the horizon

fUll

- empty -

three fly to the shore

to hail their great.escape

from the weather

in the wrong direction.

give up too soon.

.PATIENCE is a virtue.

Each has to make

a flying leap

into the waiting car across

the - w i d e - wet expanse.

the three at the front enter

- at last -

the promised land

&umbrellaed mass slowly moves.

arrives at peeling gate

- WAIT -

black.mustachioed

bouncer

let's three - before - in first.

people push in.then.trickle out.

Okay, you four.

ID?

BOSSA NOVA

.why do you dance?

.why do you breathe?

Distant thumping

draws us in.

we wiggle through the bodies

blocking aisle.by the bar

lounging 'round

the plush.teal

booths.drinking.

leaning.laughing

lapping.lapping

endless rounds

&shots.

we beeline toward

the foggy.pulsing

dance floor

two.step.two.step.

head bob.bob

test it out.

try on these vibrations.

the room is packed tonight

bump body.

body

butt

as I forge my stage.

take my place.

make ample space to groove.

Attracted to the movement -

an older man.smelling.slightly.bad

wanders near.raises a slurring.cheer

repels people around.

opens up a larger space for me.

.thank you,sir.

as I groove a little harder

enjoy this elbow room.

big.buff.fro

passes by

turns chest to mine

pumps raised fists

tries to engage.

I shake my head

&turn away.

He shrugs.moves on

beyond.

.his energy was kind.

.just looking

to dance.

- regret -

.i should have

tried.

SUDDENLY

angled handheld flash.spotlight

opens up a space

for fro to groove -

a circle gathers round.

I hear the 'AY's and 'O's.

calling all to dance

& I fumble through the sweating.ebbing.flowing.crowd against the current

pop!

(surrounded)

CENTER STAGE

no TIME to be self.conscious

at the center of this universe

.time to show them

what you've learned.

practiced&prayed

day after day

for the chance

to spread my joy

- to dance -

.for you.to know.

release right arm

from makeshift sling.

tucked into fanny pack.

fro seems shocked

did not expect

this challenge

but AYs & Os along -

accenting cries.

adds to the song.

THE FEELING OF ELATION

.misplaced -

desire to cry

seeing faces

see me

the beauty

of it all

can you feel

my heart?

can you feel

my joy?

huff&puff

run out of breath

.i smoke

too much.

much.much too fast

s l o w down

- STOP -

* splash *

Wet runs down my leg.

(behind me)

Oh no!

I got vodka

on her skirt.

Huffing.puffing

out of breath

.i've got to go find water.

Place hands on

broad strong shoulders -

Thank you.

I embrace him

in an awkward hug.

he actively resists.

turn&flee the dance floor.

throbbing with new life.

ON TOP OF THE WORLD

as I make it through the bar.

look around at each face

- searching -

.did you see

that revelation?

Ecstasy.I float along beside you.

.unseen.I lean way in.

over the bar.

Excuse me.

(eyes.across.light up)

.yes?

Can I have

water?

(pointing right)

Coolers on the bar -

Thanks.

I make my way around the bend.

choose between orange&cucumber

(orange)

hold cup beneath

.push lever down then

- gulp -

I down my drink in three deep slugs.

Hey -

I turn to see warm.wide grin

of jovial friend.

He nods.speechless.respect.

.i saw that.

.i appreciate the gesture.

but

.i wish this was him.

Alright.

I'll see you

out there.

push through

person

to center of the floor

swimming in the core of the sound

boogie.woogie solo bop

fro.friend comes back

but not right now

I two step.step away

Whatever man.

You won.

one of his posse reassures.

.no fair.

.i didn't know

we were playing.

Stinky.slurring friend

returns

walks by slow.

remembers me

simply.holds hand up

- high.five -

as he lopes past.

bearded boy&beardless friend

observe from a safe distance

It's like

Africa

in here.

.i'm glad

you see the

influence.

approaches

from the side&bops in time

.alright I'll bite.

wiggle.wiggle with the boy -

hips :

elbows :

shoulders bump&meet

sudden change in formation

bearded boy&beardless friend

bop to face each other

shaking hips

bending knees

approach from both sides

BoX me in.

I stand stock still&shake my head.

.I.

.Will.

.Not.

.Grind.

Beardless babe

(laughing)

shakes his head.

leans in

for the kill :

You have

a flat ass.

.yOu want to dance?

Then let's FUCKing dAnce.

I catch his eye&hold him fast : shimmy.shimmy * crAzy * shimmy

on his scrawny little chest

'til he's standing still

hands up in surrender.

ANGER turns to joy as

my body feels

its motions.

I smile - w i d e -

inches away from chin

holding his confused :

confronted >

- laughing -

gaze.

I let my whole body go : shimmy.shake against his chest : release arms from their sockets - jiggle.jiggle.jiggle smack. WiggleWiggle smack his back.

Shake.a.shake.a.shake my head : loosening each strand of braid.

giggle.laugh out loud

bop!

add a little.little shoulder wave.

His arms react to my attack :

jerky . little .

self conscious .

twitches.

BoogieWoogieBoogie

Drop

I break away to feel it -

beat my chest full : rollrollroll swivelswivel hips round and around : bop uP onto tOes.

Step.step.Step

.Beat.

Now add the arms

- swivelswivel -

swing!

.batta.batta.batta.

I catch the approach of

a dancing fro -

Alright man.

Let's go.

There's a space that opens wide.

ample room for us to groove.

Bouncing.bopping.flailing arms

open wide.faced smile

fro approaches with knees bent implying that familiar intent

advances until all I can do

is stand.stock.still

against suggesting hips

Something snaps and

I see my slender.hand

reach out to

center of pOWerful chest

- shove -

he falls away & back.

Surprise . a tiny smirk

I continue my dance :

hold his gaze

he returns

to grind all.up in my space

another shove charged now

with a scary surge

of anger

Just . fucking . dance . man.

the music stalls in the buildup to a

drop

as he returns.

his eyes meet mine

the song continues

its insistent drive

fro's head falls back

.exasperated.

we're trapped in what we've started

- I stop -

turn to the DJ

who is watching

with a beaming smile

Come on!

(flat hand)

I slice the air.

Beat.Beat.Beat.

Drop.

He drops a satisfying groove that plunges deep into the floor :

close my eyes

&lose myself

to greater vibrations.

.as I roll back up to stand.

Two step.Two step.

.BeatDABeat.

I turn.

Fro's gone &

I'm breathless as

I wiggle through the crowd.

. need.

water.

(standing up against the wall)

grey slouchy.shirted bartender

with a scratchy.wiry goatee smiles : nods :

flashes me a thumb.

(RESPECT)

(cucumber)

- guzzle -

- guzzle -

- gasp -

wipe extra wet away from lips.

refill.repeat

return.

to thumping.floor

see beard&beardless

bop low now.swing

limbs.

booties out.

boogie.backs to DJ booth.

Beardless babe

leans out.in.

extends his hand

- an offering -

You're crazy -

in a good way.

I nod.

.well thanks.

I know.

.you're not the first

to note it.

(feebly)

I just wanted

to tell you

that.

I smile.

rest hand on upper arm.

.it was nice

dancing with you.

baDAbump.

baDAbump

.renewed.

the BEAT takes me away.

lost to the ebbing.flowing space.

Bearded boy approaches.

- lips to ear -

Hey!

(over the sound)

My name

is Nathan.

I just wanted to say

that I think

you're amazing.

.o man.

rest hands on his shoulders

.i want to hold boy to my heart.

try to pull him close

- affront -

palms out.

he backs away.

- No -

I didn't mean

anything by it.

EXCESSIVE DEFENSE OF SEX

two

draped over.together dance

each to each

intoxicated.

.nauseated.

This display is not a dance.off >

a drunken.back&forth

a gyrating turn.on.

HORNY.HOT DOG

There's this

other girl

that I'm

fucking

but I would

totally

fuck you.

The girl smirks.

drapes arm 'round neck.

nuzzles drunken head

in chest.

.why is that

working for you?

(pulling closer)

You're gonna

get me

in trouble.

.do you hear

what he's saying?

She giggles.

their hips wiggle -

grinding closer.

swaying deeper.

.but would you keep her?

Disgusted.disappointed :

4 AM

.it's time to leave.

I should walk

you home.

.o please.

You never do.

I know

but still -

I will be fine.

hug him close

where two roads converge

in the little town in the woods

- Dekalb & Myrtle -

Thank you.

Good night.

Good night -

get home

- safe -

.i always do.

.the journey home in just a little rain.

for the first time

Knickerbocker.Knickerbocker

appears to be

a sketchy street

with dripping.leering.lumbering souls

leaning.out

from commercial.canyon

walls.

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