- HERE -

take my thoughts.

I give them to you.

.bound.up in a pocket.sized book.

with a pencil.

if you've anything to

.write.doodle.vandalize.express.

leave it where you found it.

take it with you when you go.

. f O r g e t i t i n t h e b a c k p o c k e t

o f y o u r g o i n g o u t j e a n s .

NOW

awful beauty

put on

all its arms;

the fair

each moment

rises

her

charms.

.dab.dab.

finger in the shimmery.nude

eye.shadow.

spread.

one lid.

then

the other.

spread.

dab.dab.

.in the white eye.shadow now.

Just a little spot of light.

in the corner of

each

eye

.there.

(inexplicably.scripting)

.sIMba.

We're going

to leave in

ten minutes.

.called from across

the way.

.calls back --

Okay!

turns into room

.compose.

collects her Things.

CHECKLIST

metro

keys

money

.Heidi.

Palm passes over hand.made book

.I might meet

someone new.

Marginalia

Put book

zip!

into fanny pack.

I'm ready!

.sounds her cry.

.wAit.

.wiggle.

.naked feet.

(as a curse.word)

Shoes!

Not wisely --

does she choose

light.brown.low.wedge

summer.sandals.

.with criss

crossing

straps.

.heels have

never been

my strongest

suit.

She turns to stand full.front

of the mirror

.takes stock.

french braid

tucked up

behind

.can see most things.

.withOut my glAsses.

quarter

Roman

all.over

my face

dip

pursed.pouty

lips

yAWn

crooked

chin

leads

down.to

slender

neck

clavicle dip clavicle

.j u s t peeking out above crocheted.vest.straight neckline.around to dip behind.low v leads to five.white buttons all

down her back.back.back.

jersey.dark.green maxi skirt

with pockets

.flows straight down.

j u s t revealing her feet.

all dressed up.and.ready to --

Let's go!

Coming!

.who said that?

I did...

bitches --

and

snitches

get stitches.

.click.clack.

.the latch.

She looks across to see

her roommates at the door.

.but actually.

Down questionably painted creaking.staircase.

one

flight

two

through

double.doors

release.

.step.

the stoop.

Last of the brood.

at bottom stair

she hesitates

foot

.dangling

mid

a i r -

.stoop kid

afraid to leave

his stoop.

GO.

Be-social.

BE free *

.be me.

Plants foot down.firm.begins curbed forward.fall downhill

to Knickerbocker.Knickerbocker.

Falling.faster flows before

the other two.

(from behind.she hears)

She

looks like

the goddess

of the

hipsters.

.don't let it

get to your

id.

.who catch up at

the

lighT

Don't walk

so far

ahead.

It's rude.

I'm sorry.

I'm just

excited.

the

change

walking

m n

Link up.

Let's cross.

from

curb to curb.

in three straight lines

they walk ahead.

Onward to the subway stop.Starr entrance of Jefferson Street.

Wiggling.jiggling.can't go slow

.red Rover.red Rover.

she snaps free.the weakest link

forges ahead to swing round subway pole.

.clitter.clatter.

down

the stairs

hands uP

.baby.baby.

.wrists flailing.loose--floppy.

Pull card from front zipper.

round to the turnstiles --

swipe through.

turn to wait for

the other two.

Can we stand

where we can see

what's happening

at Bedford?

Sure --

(begins the catwalk)

We might as well

have gotten in

at Jefferson.

The three walk down the runway

.single file now.

skirting past the gazes.round person

person

pole

Settle in.lined up with second

car.

The next

Manhattan.bound

train

now arriving.

Please stand

away from

the

platform.edge.

Two lights from down the tunnel

wind their way along the track.

slowing down to squeaking stop.

bing

bong

.and ON they HOP.

Little.idle chatter as they rattle 'low these streets.

Morgan

Montrose

Grand

PacMan gobbles

uP each

passing point

of land.

At Bedford.she peeks out.shyly.

is hit

full.blown

by t.shirt uku's warbling song.

Nod.Smile.acknowledge as doors close --

his eyes catch hers

ignIte

- one look -

he sEEs

.last week.

embarrassed

rosy.cheeked

- penniless -

she slipped

her book into

his can.

in payment

.art for art.

.a start.

We have

to transfer

at Sixth

Ave --

Ooh. I like

that one.

.long

hurried.harried

corridor.

.take a sample.

take a look.

No, no.

to the F.

.the M's

retarded cousin.

.you shouldn't use

- that -

word.

Right.Right

okay!

Sounds good.

.words.words.words.

chitter.

chAtter

- clitter

clatter -

sniffle.

.smack!

& clAck -

- click

.the train.

it rumbles down the track.

ODESSA

Here we

are!

.Sunset

and Camden.

They enter darkened diner/bar.

the LEAD

(stops)

gets her bearings.

Alright -

Meet Eby first.

He's there -

behind

the

bar.

She points in

that

direction.

Oh hey!

as they approach.

We came

to support.

Well thanks.

What would

you like?

H o l d o n l e t ' s think-

I'll have

a shot/beer

special.

Me too, please!

The trio poses along the bar

- waiting patiently -

.smiling.scanning.acclimating.

The drinks are served.paid for.

$ $ $

.tip.

They settle into cozy.booth.

She sits across from

boarding.buddy.

.wait.

.i know this.

Billy. .bobby.

Preface : Prelude : Precum

So this guy

met a girl

at a bar

two weeks ago -

and then

fucked her

on the

Williamsburg Bridge.

Beat.

Come again?

(HarHar.very punny)

Yea. They

climbed it,

got to

a landing

and then -

Uh.

UH!

(punctuated with gestures)

That.

.is an epic fuck.

Can you

imagine?

(they can and they do)

Doggystyle.

Well obviously.

Looking south

to the bridges.

(return to their thoughts)

Well anyway -

he'll be

here

soon.

(holy shit)

Should we get

another drink?

We should get

another drink.

Same as before?

I daresay!

.same as before.

Shot and beer special.

Two please.

Bottoms up.

(let's hope not)

The slurring Legend

slinks in, lit from behind,

a silhouette -

hard.edged diagonal board.ers one side :

mass of soft brown curls topped in flopped fish hat.

As he advances.forms.

his shirt tie.dyes :

the boy is complete with

a solid mass of

downy facial hair.

He pulls up alongside the booth to flash a crooked grin : stooped but falling back,

his hand extends in greeting.

Piro.

.really?

Come sit down!

(gestures across.to her side)

.Scooch.

.then squeezes in.beside.

Warmth spreads from thigh to

t.o.u.c.hing

thigh.

They share a sideways.smile.

.knowing.

Howzzit g.oing?

.hmm.

(happy smile.leaning in)

S'g-oo-d.

She

falls into familiar.

friendly face

- beautiful curls -

.oofa.

.i could get lost

in there.

the high cheekbones.

the sharp hooked cuban nose.

.i know who

he reminds me of.

the strong.round brow above

deep.mischief.brown eyes.

.if he had stayed

a dedicated boarder.

Peeks back into smirking face.

.O lordy.

.her heart beats warm for him.

It's

your turn

to get

the round.

.what?

Right.

(head bowed&blushing)

'scuse.me.

(surprise)

yur gettin.

up?

I'll come.wth

you.

They bumble over to the bar.

Whaddilitbe?

She turns to the bartender.

(into big.brown saucers)

Two whiskey/beer

specials,

please.

(nods.taps counter)

murmurs

.smirking.

barely audible beneath

the dull rumble of the diner.

His hand extends.

feels down her back.

.alert.

sensAtion.stimulAtion.

Her mind.body remembers TOUCH.

She turns --

(the drinks are served)

thanks.

She pays and tips.

passes shot.glasses

into waiting hands

double.fists the beers

heads back--

(smiles.nods at dopey.boy)

I'll see

- you -

at the table.

.now watch me

walk away.

She settles.slides

into her seat

- tingling -

back straightened.

Tunes in :

THE CONVERSATION

Yea man -

the other day.

yesterday

I was skating

and fell -

cut

my shin.

It was bleeding

a lot.

.repeated.painful failures.

.driving for success.

.odd&noble sport.

He returns to the table

sits down.

(disappointed)

across.beside

her warm.roommate.

- a sidebar -

takes place.

whispered past

whiskers

.blown

into ear.

he smiles.leans back

heaves onto his feet

to wander through

& mingle.

.what is this

- to be single -?

She comes across to sit beside

.issues his report.

He said

he would

fuck you.

.o please.

.of course

he would.

(tucks.in head)

I know.

.he could.

the root

of the attraction :

.he could fuck me in the ass

& mean it.

Girls are from Venus

You're going

to the - loo?

I'll come too!

Okay!

Come on -

linking up

- arm in arm -

.foregoing solo.action.

They wiggle through.

- drunk leading drunk -

to bump.and.bump

soft bodies

at the bar.

sway back against

the EXTRAS at

each table.

They arrive

(a darkened corridor)

try each bathroom door.

Oo this one

is locked.

(giggles erupt.nose to nose)

they wiggle.wiggle close

Try the

other.

pAH!

So right.

You.with

the thoughts.

(hold on.flourish)

She tries the second knob.

tURn

.swinG open into little.sticker.littered 'room.

You go

first.

Thanks!

She hustles in.

secures the lock.

lifts skirt.collects.

&squats.

.dangerous

break the seal.

releases

satisfying stream.

Stickers sPIn

around her head.

She's piss.drunk

.it must be said.

.ah.

.much better.

as oxygen.drains

from her head.

.as he says -

She fumbles with the roll beside her.

rip

crumple.crumple

w e

i p

heaves off the bowl.

lifting panties as

she goes.

lets skirt fall

'round ankles.

.alcohol is

a terrible.drug.

She giggles at

the cloudy girl in the mirror

as she washes.

(finger.mustache.goofy grin)

But I daresay!

She exits -

flips the switch.

Ohey!

'lo there, love.

I'm.feelingrreat.

Shall we have

another round?

Pshaf course!

.it's rather

fun.

The pair returns to counter.

wiggles through

to catch his eye.

- ORDER -

- SERVE -

giggling.clink

- A TOAST -

Whazzat?

To uhhh -

(close enough)

They down their shots.

take beer in hand

head back to booth.

She slides in first.

smiles at

a girl

new

their numbers.

She is pretty

though

her face

stays in shadow

under black.floppy sunhat

in the dark of the dim dying

diner.

(fade to black)

AWAKE

...

I was . asleep .

I feel . rested.

I am . fully clothed --

.WiggleWiggle.

My shoes are . not on.

- take stock -

My vagina is . unbothered.

In one swift move roll bOUnCe out of bed.

Hair falls into face.

My braid was . unravelled.

My book -

Rush to fanny pack to see :

book is gone.

Fling door wide

enter into

dark.apt.center

see band.aids on table

shoes next to chair

hear voices from

the higher room

ascend the stair

.knock

knock.

Who's

there?

Cantilevered Cuddle

Three roomies squish in marsh

mallow cloud to recount

the facts forgotten

She s t r e t c h e s long

.hands under pillow.

.toes dipping

off

bed's.end.

So I'm missing

everything after

that girl

sat down.

Oh she was

really nice.

I liked

her hat.

Yea -

she's

Billy's friend.

Oh geez.

Billy.

What happened

with Billy?

Okay.sO

he had

this cut

on his shin

that he got

the day before.

He's sitting there

and suddenly

realizes that

it's bleeding

through his pants.

He kept saying -

No.No.No.

I'm fine.

So then we're on

our way home

and he almost

passes out -

so then

he comes back

to our apartment -

and I tried

to put band.aids

on him

.ding.

but there was

too much blood

then I was like -

Wait.

I'm drunk.

Why am I doing this?

So then I got

him into a cab

and went with

him to the ER.

.oh shit.

I'm sorry -

that sounds like

a stressful night.

Oh the rest

of the night

was fine!

You almost

made out

with Piro.

.oh?

And?

And I was like -

'_______!'

.cautionarily

first.named.

O.man.

You undid

your braid .ding.

and played

with his curls.

- and nuzzled

into his face.

.how soft -

his scruff.

I had to

carry you home

pretty much.

You were so

funny on the

shuttle bus.

You were holding

on with both hands

just hanging there

- loosely.

Billy had his camera

and he let me

use it.

I thought I did

a pretty good job.

.wait.

There's footage?

Yea Bobby was

recording pretty much

the whole night.

.surrogate memories.

Really?

Yup!

And on the bus -

there was a guy

next to you

and you just

started touching

his face

saying :

You're so

beautiful.

His boyfriend

started joking -

That's my man.

And then

when we got home

after the whole

- Billy thing -

I took off your shoes

.ding.

and practically

carried you to bed.

I left your clothes on -

I figured

you'd be uncomfortable

if I undressed you.

.oh man.

What about

my book?

What book?

I brought

one of those

hand.sewn

booklets

with me

and it's not

in my fanny pack.

I must have given

it to someone.

I don't know.

I don't

remember

any book.

.bzz.

.the night's only

unsolved mystery.

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