There’s a bunch of characters who popped into the world a long time ago with stories that may or may not be the most interesting, or poignant, or even relatable. But they exist regardless. Regardless of any opinions on what a good, moral, person would do, or whether a conscious, comunity-oriented person would do. Regardless of if they are liked or not. And they will continue to live their lives. Regardless.

Jack and, Anna Lisa Kristina, eventually drift apart. Corn and, Cookie remain friends. Long and, Xavier are too different. Sabo moves backto Europe to do European things. Frank and, Luke are still getting high.

Everyone’s lives intersect at some point in time. Sometimes we’re aware of it, but for te most part, we aren’t. The quickening of time and the shortening of time left makes sure we’re oblivious of each other. Never really noticing the few time in our lives where we actually connect.

Xavier and, Jack become friends again. Growing up his hard to admit. But history helps. Anna Lisa Kristina get’s married to a chemical engineer named, Ernie. Cookie has a child with her newesy boyfriend, Clinton, a South African Lawyer. Long moves to San Jose, California. Corn moves back in with his mom. Frank and, Luke still get high.

In real life, there is no ending. No epilogue. no fin. Just the constant struggle of shrugging off detrimental behavior and trying walk that invisible line of moderation. Because it will lead, for the most part, to consistent comfortability in a world filled wih uncertainty. And if anything, it won’t kill you rght away.

Jack never married and died in his sleep at the age of 63. Xavier gave the eulogy. Xavier married an accountant with three children and moved to San Diego, California where he teaches high school. Anna Lisa Kristina has twelve grand-children and has nine houses. Cookie died of breast cancer at the age of 64 and is survived by her two children. She was never married. Long found a sugar-mommy and lives in Detroit, Michigan. He never had to get a job for his entire life. He died of a heat attack at the age of 41. Corn still lives in the house his mother owned. She died when he was 43. He was given the house. He spoke at, Cookie’s funeral.

The stories keep moving. Life keeps on going. The end only happens when people stop listening.

A few months later, after the eventual hotbox session in the car, and a couple of random roadtrips up north, Frank, and, Luke became roommates. It made sense. Neither of them could afford a place on their own and they both loved weed.

Frank had finished watching the television program about a flat universe and was almost done with a Twilight Zone marathon he discovered randomly running on channel 14. He had on his comfortable socks, the ones without the holes, and his pipe filled with marijuana. This made him happy. He wanted to catch the episode about the Devil trapped in a monastary and finally find out why it freaked him out so much.

After three hours of waiting, as well as admiring the storytelling abilities of the writers, the actors, and the art department of the program, the front door opens and, Luke walked in.

“Dude!” yelped, Luke.

“Dude…” responded a lazy, Frank.

“Dude!” Luke yelped again, quickly landing on his side of the couch.

“Dude…” Frank replied even lazier.

“Dude!” Luke stated. “Guess what the fuck happened?”

“What?” asked, Frank.

“Long killed, Xavier!” screamed, Luke. “Can I hit that?”

“Sure.” said, Frank, apathetically. “What do you mean, Long killed, Xavier? Like, Xavier is dead?” and handed the pipe to, Luke.

Luke took a massive rip, seemingly to calm his nerves. He was quite animated for a reuptable stoner. Exhaled like steam from a very hot kettle. “Dude…”

“So what the fuck happened?” began, Frank, trying his best to fight the drugs lethargy. Mainly because the word ‘kill’ was invovled. And he wanted to be ready if he needed to think straight. Because he’s been watching a lot of Twilight Zone and he knew, there was a possibility that anything could happen. ” Long killed, Xavier? Like literaly killed him?”

Luke took another fat rip. Exhaled. The smoke shooting out of his mouth, looking like a cloudy morse code as he spoke. “No. Not killed. Him. Sorry for using that word. But he kicked his fucking ass.”

“What? I Don’t get it. I thought you guys were going to kick, Cookie’s ex-boyfriends ass?” Asked, Frank, sobering up, a little pissed because the topic of conversation was kind of serious. Plus the devil episode still hadn’t shown.

“We were. But when we got there, right outside of that dude’s house, Xavier didn’t want to go through with it anymore.” Said, Luke.

“Why not? He seeemed like he was into it when you guys left?”

“I know, right? But he didn’t want to.” Luke said, taking another rip. “I mean we get there, and, Long is all fucking ready to kick this guy out, right? And we’re walking up that guys driveway like it’s a friggin’ movie. Like a cowboy movie and shit. Looed friggin’ bad ass, man!”

“So what happened?”

“Right. Sorry for getting off track. The weed is starting it’s magic.”

“It’s cool. Go on.”

“So we’re walking up the driveway when all of a sudden, Xavier screams out, ‘Fuck the Rules, man!’ And we’re al like, ‘Huh?” and he’s all like, ‘Fuck the Rules, man! This is stupid! This is kid shit! We should go!’ Long says, ‘You fucking pussy!’ Xavier says, ‘Fuck you, you fucking kid!’ Long says, ‘Pussy!’ Xavier says, ‘Kid!’ and they go back and forth like this. Almost sounds like a song and shit. I could almost dance to it. It was like that techno music type of shit.”

“Okay. go on.”

“Right. Sorry. The Weed. Anyway, that guy, Sabo, Cookie’s ex-boyfriend here’s the ruckus and comes out. Now this is one big ass motherfucker. Looks like, Thor, the God of Thunder and shit, right? Long see’s him, makes a b-line straight for the fool. And, Long’s big ass fist, looking like a avalanche and shit was getting ready to knock this guy out. You know that look in his eye? The one where shit doesn’t matter to hm anymore? Where he’s just going to destroy everything around him? Yeah, man. He had that look.”

“Jeez. Bad shit happens when that shit happens. Shit…”

“I know, right? So fucking, Sabo see’s this and his as bals his fists up, and it’s looking like shit is about to go down. you know, man, you know what’s weird?”

“What?”

“That all that shit happened in like five seconds. Sabo coming out, Long walking up to him, and, Sabo getign ready. It’s fucking weird, man. Like they could read each other’s minds or some shit.”

“They can smell it.”

“Huh?”

“The testosterone. Like male peacocks.”

“Eh?”

“I was watching this one show on The Science Channel, right? Talked about ‘runawayevolution’. Like shit that has to do with Natural Selection and how certain traits aren’t there for survival or health, it’s just there for attraction.”

“What the fuck?”

“Okay. Like a peacock. Male peacocks have these big ass bright tails, right? And they really don’t help them fly better, and they sure as fuck don’t help with camouflage. Them bright ass feathers are there to attract the peahen. You know what I mean? It’s there to attract the females. And that’s it.”

“…uh…what the fuck are you talking about?”

“That’s what, Xavier was talking about.”

“I still don’t get it. Damn. This weed must be the shiiiiiit…”

“Okay, man. Listen up. It’s pretty simple wen you really think about it.” Frank began, his high totally gone because of the natural endorphins dropping. “Men, human men, exhert this kind of machismo. Shit like fighting and fucking as many chicks asthey can. Used to be, when we were friggin’ cavemen and shit that it helped with our evolution. If we fought, we didn’t die, and if we fucked a lot of chicks, we would have a lot of babies. And our genetic code would be passed down, right? The bottom line for every living thing in this universe, right? So it made sense, way back when, that men would do shit like that. Because it was almost mandatory for survival.”

“Okay. I’m still with you.” And luke took a mighty rip.

“But nowadays, it’s not necessary. We don’t have to fight off predators. We don’t have to fuck a lot of chicks. That shit is the echo of a primordial calling males needed to survive in the world. But the world has changed a lot. And that exhibition of machismo is no longer necessary. Actually, to the alpha females, it’s a hndrance.”

“You’re starting to use big words, man.”

“Sorry. Basically, we don’t have to follow the Rules anymore.”

“Ah. I get it. But I think we still gotta follow the Rules, bro.”

“Well, yeah, otherwise you’re a pussy and you’ll get your ass kicked.”

“Yeah.”

“Yeah. I’m just saying, I see what, Xavier is talking about. That’s all.”

“Alright.” Said, Luke. Handing, Frank his pipe back. “I thought I’d have to kick your ass.”

Frank took a toke. “So what the fuck happened with, Xavier and, Long? And did, Sabo throw down?”

“Naw. What had happened was right when, Long was going to fuck, Sabo up, Xavier tackled, Long to the ground. Then, Long, since he was in that fucking attack zone shit, he took a swing at, Xavier. Xavier, took a swing at, Long, and it was an all out brawl. Sabo was just standing there wonderign what the fuck was going on.”

“Jeez.”

“Yeah. So, Xavier got it pretty bad. Didn’t look like he wanted to fight, or maybe he didn’t wantto fight anymore. Because after a while, Long was just punding the fuck out of him. Eventually, he stopped. Fucking got mad at himself. Picked up, Xavier and threw him into the backseat. I drove everyone home.”

“How’d you get here? Didn’t you guys take, Xavier’s car?”

“Yeah. I took the bus home.”

“Oh.”

The episode with the Devil trapped in a moastary finaly showed up on the TV.

“Yo,” Frank said. “You got to check out this episode. It’s friggin’ scary as shit.”

It’s midnight. December 15th. First minutes of the new day. He’s been drinking heavily. Celebrating because of them eyes that can see into the future. Because he’s finally happy that he won’t have to work as hard as he has. Happy that things are coming together, swimmingly.

He looks down at that magical laptop and smiles.

“What the fuck man?” comes a voice from the screen.

“Holy shit.” Edren says. “I didn’t know my computer screen could talk. this really is state-of-the-art.”

“You dumb ass. It’s me. Long.” says, Long.

“Holy shit. Long? Am I that drunk?” slurs, Edren.

“Yeah, man.” says, Long. “You’re drunk as a motherfucker.”

“Oh, man.” Says, Edren. “I promised myself I wouldn’t drink like this.”

“Hey, I’m not one to tell you how to live your life,” says, Long, “but, fuck it. You only live once.”

“Right-a-roonie.” Agrees, Edren. “So, Long. How can I do you for?” He pulls out a cigarette, lights it, and inhales. No one’s in the office. No one will mind.

“Hey, man.” Long begins. “I just want to know, why come I don’t have a love interest?”

“What do you mean?” asks, Edren.

“You know what the fuck exactly what I mean, motherfucker.” says, Long irritated. “Xavier has, Janie. Corn has, Cookie. Jack has, Anna Lisa Kristina. Shit, you even started complicating shit by adding some, Xavier and, Anna Lisa Kristina shit. I just wanna know how come I don’t gets me a hot babe?”

Edren tries to think. Why hasn’t he given, Long a love interest? Then it hits him.

“Because, dude.” Edren says, exhaling another quick tendril of cigarette smoke. “No one likes you.”

“What the fuck?” says, Long. “What do you mean? I’m fucking loyal as fuck?”

“Yeah but you’re also an asshole.” says, Edren. “You’re the asshole friend.”

“So what? The asshole friend can’t get himself laid? C’mon, dawg. you ad me both have seen assholes get laid!”

“Yeah, well, not in this story. You’re just a background character.”

“Background character? Man! I’m the strongest character you’ve got so far!”

“I don’t think so.”

“Well I do, motherfucker.”

“What are you talking about?”

“You got, Corn all more pathetic than he normally is, you got, Xavier more dumb ass than he normally is, and you got, Cookie and, Anna Lisa Kristina, who can basically be the same person.”

“Not really.”

“Yes really, motherfucker. I’m the only one who is distinct in this whole piece of shit you call a flash fiction thing.”

“Well, I agree, you’re pretty distinct. But mainly because you say motherfucker a lot.”

“Damn straight!”

“But you exist solely as the comparison character.”

“Comparison character?”

“Yeah. Comparison character.”

“That’s not even a real book thing character! Aww man! You got me sounding stupid, too?”

“Well, you really wouldn’t say literary archetypes.”

“Fuck you, motherfucker! You got me as the second string, sidekick, un-lovable rogue character!”

“Oh wow. I’m impressed.”

“Shut the fuck up! You’re just fucking with me now!”

“Look, Long. Sorry if I’ve hurt your feelings but you’re not the main character. Corn is the humble, fall guy, character, Jack is the competent everyman character, Xavier is the combination tragic and reluctant hero, while you’re the sidekick. Get over it.”

“Fuck you, motherfucker…”

“Anyway. It was nice talking to you. And thanks for helping sort out who’s who and what’s what. I’m sure this will help with the last leg of my flash fiction series.”

“Fuck you, motherfucker…”

“Alright. I’ll see you later.”

“Fuck you, motherfucker…”

“Nice talking to you. Bye now.”

“Laterz.” Long says, calming down a bit. “By the way. Remember to add more Freud shit. Maybe some Jung crap. Psychology shit. Makes sense with all the sex, family issues, and brain shit. Ya feel me?”

“Sounds like a plan.” Edren says. “Hopefully I can pull it off. If not now, in the editing.”

“Hope so.” Long says. “Anyways, peace out, ya bitch ass trick.”

“Later dude.”

They were riding on the back of a silver dragon named, Maxwell, on their way to the Monastery of Light, high atop the Thunderdome Mountains to join the monks in the annual Ceremony of Dialogue. Her arms were wrapped around his waist. His hands holding onto the neck of, Maxwell.

Wind blowing through their hair, the world below them looked like a toy, the sun just out of reach, flying through cotton candy clouds. It was awe-inspiring.

“Howdy doo dee, Dumb.” She asked with a wry smile. “Howdy doo dee.”

“I’m fine, Kris.” He replied. “Just don’t let go of me. Maxwell is on his medication.”

“If, for some reason, I fall, I’m taking you with me, Dumb.” She tickled him.

“As usual, I’ll probably follow.” He said. “Because I’m a dumb ass.”

She rested her head in between his shouldr blades. “That’s what I love about you, Dumb. Your dumb ass-edness.” He could feel her smile.

“Say, Kris.” He began. “I wanna ask you something.”

“I swear, Dumb, if this is another one of your ‘why do cats and dogs hate each other’ kind of questions, I’ll throw you off of, Maxwell!”

“Ha. No. It’s more personal.”

“Well, that makes it more comfortable, now doesn’t it?”

“I’m serious. I want to ask you a question.”

“Alrighty. Shoot. I’m all yours.”

He gulped. He let out a deep breathe.

“Have you ever thought about you and me, ya know, becoming more than just friends?”

Her hands let go of his waist. He could feel her slipping. He quickly turned to see what was going on, to try to catch her, to try to keep her safe, but it was too late. She was falling. And he couldn’t reach her. She was saying something but he couldn’t make out the word. All he could do was watch her fall farther and farther away from him.

“MAXWELL!” he yelled. “We gotta catch her!”

“No can do, mon ami.” Maxwell said. “We’ve got a schedule to keep.”

“What the fuck, dude!” Xavier frantically said, watching his best friend fall farther and farther away. “She’s gonna die!”

“Well, that’s your fault, bro.” Said, Maxwell. “I’m not changing course one bit, suckah!”

Anna Lisa Kristina’s body plummeted closer to the ground, faster with every second. Xavier watched in horror as he could do nothing to stop it.

So he jumped.

She was mouthing words that he couldn’t understand. He triedswimming through air to get closer to her, but it didn’t help. The harder he tried, the farther she went. The more effort he exerted, the more he screamed, the more he demanded, the farther she went. Until finally, she crashed into the ground.

He woke up, perspiring. Looked around. There was sand. The morning sun. A poncho. And a woman who wasn’t, Anna Lisa Kristina.

“This is some fucked up shit, man.” He said to himself. “This is some fucked up shit…”

Wrapped together tightly in a poncho bought in Mexico three months earlier, a dark haird man and a chubby cheeked woman sat as insignificant participants in the larger panoramic picture. Chin nuzzled neck, lips occasionally pecked, and eyelashes fluttered on earlobes.

“You know that’s krill.” stated the man.

“What’s krill?” asked the woman.

“The blue glow.” the man responded.

“Duh.” giggled the woman. “I’m asking what krill is.”

“Oh. Ha ha.” Smiled the man. “They’re kind of like plankton. A step higher. Basic building block of the food chain.”

“Why do they glow?” She asked.

“Because they have this body part that can emit light.” He said. “Some people say it’s to make it harder for predators to see them.”

“So glowing bright blue makes them harder to see?” She half smiled. “No wonder they’re at the bottom of the food chain.”

He smiled. Then let out a deep sigh. “Well, when you think about it, the world of the ocean is a lot different than ours. When those creatures lok upwards, all they can see is this shimering light from their equivalent of the sky. It’s either the sun or the refelctive moon. So if the krill were to glow, it would actually disguise them better.”

“I don’t get it.” Se cutely frowned. “Kiss me again!”

Her soft cheek felt the warm kiss of the man holding her. This was a man who made her feel bright. He wasn’t like the others. He wasn’t like her so-called boyfriend. The others made her feel different. Like an outcast. Like she was wrong. Like she didn’t belong. This man, however, understood her. And let her be. This man accepted her. And that was all she had ever wanted from people.

They kissed. Lines on lips matched. Perfect pressure. Faces no longer existed. It was one shared breathe. And it was in perfect harmony with the gentle rhythm of the waves within the still-dark morning.

“I…I…” she began. “Xavier…I want to tell you something.”

He closed his eyes. Took one long deep inhale. Waited. Then exhaled. He hugged her tight. Bottom lipped her earlobe.

“Mmmm…” She mmmed.

Her, to him, was proof. Proof that golden orbs existed. That magical voices and warm eyes were still inside humans. That people don’t turn to stone as they age. That people, with enough courage and enough will, are still able to hold on to the beautiful that hides in between everything normal. She personfied it. She was his proof.

“Xavier.” She whispered. “You’re my best friend.”

He opened his eyes. His breathing became shorter. He loosened his hold on her. His muscles tensed.

“I just wanted to let you know that. You have a special place in my heart.” She said. “You never judge me, even after al the fucked up things I’ve done. You’re always there for me when I need you. You make me laugh, you make me think. You are the best partner in crime anyone can hope to have. And I do, Xavier. I love you.”

She turned her head to his. Pursed her lips and closed her eyes. She leaned in close for their millionth kiss that morning. And she was lost again. She smiled.

His thoughts scrambled. The glowing blue waves, the human body heat, the soft sand, the ful moon, the fact they were many miles from home and on the edge of the earth, all of that romantic shit shattered one she said the words, ‘You’re my best friend.’ Because all he could think about was, Anna Lisa Kristina.

Her body slowly, with purpose, started rubbing his. She purred. She exposed her neck. Her fingers laced his, tighter, with every passing second. Just like before, she knew how to get what she wanted from him.

“Xavier…” she moaned.

“…yeah…” he whispered.

“I want to fuck you again.” And she turned her body, overpowering his lips with hers.

He thought to himself, ‘This is some fucked up shit. I’m one fucked up individual. What the fuck is the fucking matter with me? What the fuck is a matter with the both of us?’

Her hands deftly found their way into his pants.

He sighed. And tried his best to forget about, Anna Lisa Kristina.

Then a Sunday came where both schedule books were open. Old phone numbers came to mind in between the ability to finally breathe. Fingertips played with the cell phone speed dial button. It had been so long and so many things have happened, where would one begin? I suppose the only place to start was where it left off.

“I’m so gald to see you!” Said, Anna Lisa Kristina. “It’s been a while, hasn’t it, girl?”

Cookie saw the familiar face, with a few more wrinkles and a few more lines, but it sure was her. Anna Lisa Kristina. Sitting at a coffee table, inside a coffee house, just like they used to.

“Hey, girl!” Cookie said, walking voer to her old friend, giving her a side embrace, the safest kind. “It has been a while, hasn’t it?”

“Sure has.” Anna Lisa Kristina agreed. “So what’s new?”

“Oh my,” Cookie said, fumbling with her LV purse. “Where do I begin?”

Anna Lisa Kristina half-smiled. There she was. Cookie. A friend from another life. After all this time, sitting in front of her. Like she used to. Like they both used to. Talked about boys, art, poetry, songs, school, fashion, food, rent, bills, plans, goals, life. Everything young millenium metropolitan ladies would talk about. So many genuine smiles and jokes and profound discoveries within their millions of hours of conversations at a similar coffee table in a similar coffee house. But today was different. A whole lifetime’s difference.

“Start off where we left off, girl.” Anna Lisa Kristina smiled. “Last time I saw you, you were practically married to that hot European, Sabo!”

“Ugh, don’t get me started on that one, Anna Lisa Kristina.” Cookie said, rolling her eyes. “That one is a headache and a half.”

“What do you mean?” Anna Lisa Kristina asked, waving down the waitress, mouthing ‘one more please’. “Not working out?”

“Well, you know, relationships are pretty complicated. It’s not like how it used to be. Where you were attracted to the guy, checked to see if his hug fit yours, and if it did, you loved him.” Cookie said, pulling out her cell phone, checking to see if she got a text. “Nowadays, it’s more about compatibility. But in everything. Not just hugs.”

“I hear you.” Anna Lisa Kristina said. She pulled out her cell phone as well, checking her e-mail. “Gone are the days of romance. I’m looking for more of a stable lifestyle. And the love should come after.”

“And if it doesn’t,” Cookie said, putting her phone on the table. “At least you’re not scraping for food, asking your mom for money, wearing the same clothes you wore last year.”

“Mmm hmmm.” Anna Lisa Kristina said, nodding, putting her phone on the table, takign a sip of her caramel machiatto. The waitress arrived and placed another caramel machiatto in front of, Cookie.

“Thank you.” Cookie said, immediately taking a sip. “So, what about you? Got a lover?” She smiled.

“I’ve got lover-boys, just not a Love.” She looked over her shoulder. She tought she recongnized someone.

Cookie smiled at, Anna Lisa Kristina. Anna Lisa Kristina smiled at, Cookie. Cookie looked over to her right, then her left. Anna Lisa Kristina stared at her phone and then back up at, Cookie, and smiled. A few minutes had gone by without a single word.

Anna Lisa Kristina’s phone rang. “I’m sorry, babe.” Anna Lisa Kristina said. “I have to get this.”

“Not a problem.” Said, Cookie. And she picked up her phone and started texting.

The next five minutes, both were done, and it was back to quaint silence.

“So…” Anna Lisa Kristina tried. “Do you still talk to any of the boys?”

“Ugh…” Cookie said, disgusted. “Just, Corn. And I don’t even want to talk to him anymore.”

“Why? What happened?” Asked, Anna Lisa Kristina, genuinely interested.

“Long story. All I can say is they still act like boys.” Cookie said, picking up her cell phone to reply to a text. “And it’s sad. They’re sad.”

“Oh. Hmmm.” Anna Lisa Kristina recognized the look on, Cookie’s face. It used to mean she was going to kick some ass. The old Cookie would’ve chewed someone and spit them out, picked up the chuck, chewed them somemore, then fed the pieces to a momma bird so the momma bird could vomit it into her little baby birds mouths. And then, Cookie would would really get mean. But the, Cookie sitting in front her her was different. A lot different.

Cookie put her phone into her LV bag. She pulled out her LV wallet and took out $20. Placed the bill on the table and said, “I’m sorry honey, but I have to go. You know how it is.” Cookie said, getting up. “It was nice seeing you. We should do this agian.”

Anna Lisa Kristina said, “We should. I’ll call you soon, babe.” She half-stood up, air-kissed, Cookie on the cheek, ans waved while, Cookie quickly exited the coffee house.

Anna Lisa Kristina took one last sip of her caramel machiatto, more than half still remained. She pulled out her G wallet out of her G purse, took out a twenty dollar bill and a ten dollar bill, placed in on the table right next to, Cookie’s twenty, got up, and walked out of the coffee house.

They drove off in different directions. Very different directions.

But not really.

“fucking shit, fuck shit…” he mumbles to himself. “What the fucking fuck…”

He listens to his heel scrape the scruffy sidewalk with each step. He listens to his breathing. He listens to the far away cars, the ones he can’t see, that drive just as alone as he is walking, on these cold, LA streets.

“God damn it, Long!” He screams. “What a fucking douche…”

He struggles to bring his head up. Across the street is an all-night coffee spot. Outdoor patio. Middle of a strip mall. Cradled between a No Ri Bong and Vu’s Nail Salon. There’s a girl sitting outside, by herself. Sipping on coffee, texting on her phone.

“Whoa.” He says to himself. “Is that, Janie?”

Janie. The girl, Xavier goes on and on about. How she’s the next big thing, how she’s the one, how she’s got a sweet voice he wouldn’t mind waking up to, and how he could be the mountain she clings on to. He doesn’t think so. He’s had the chance to be the third person perspective. And she’s no good for him at all. In fact, he thinks, she’s probably going to send him back to the place he’s trying to get out of.

“Fucking, Xavier.” He says aloud. “I told you guys not to. See what happens?”

He stops at the crosswalk. Red light. “I might as well go get some coffee.”

Just then, a car whizzes by the corner he stands on. He doesn’t have enough time to react. As the car races to beat the red light, it splashes the gutter water onto, Corn. He stands there. Looks at his clothes. Dirty, street mud, clinging on. He wipes his face and says, “Fuck shit fuck…not again…this is fucking…bullshit…” He sighs.

The car that splashed the gutter water on him screeches to a halt. It reverses and stops right in front of, Corn. The window rolls down and a familiar voice says, “Get in, bro.”

“What the fuck?” Corn says.

“Dude. There’s a car coming behind me. Get in. Oh yeah. Sorry about the water. I thought you were nobody.”

Corn looks hard through the car window into the darkened drivers seat. “Xavier?”

“Yeah, fool.” Xavier says. “Hurry up and get in.”

Corn gets in as quickly as he can and before he can close the door, Xavier peels away.

“Sorry again about the splash man.” Xavier says, changing the radio station. “I got some napkins if you want.”

“Sure.” Corn says. Xavier hands him random napkins he’s acquired from random coffee shops, drive-throughs, and hospitals in random places around LA. Corn takes the napkins and begins blotting as much of the gutter water away, cursing under his breathe. “fuck…shit…fuck…”

A few minutes pass. Corn notices, Xavier is wearing large sunglasses. It’s 3 in the morning. Why would he be wearing sunglasses?

“Hey, Corn.” says, Xavier.

Corn responds, “What’s up.”

“Sorry about the other day.” Xavier says. “If it’s any consolation, I got my ass handed to me.”

Corn sighs. Shrugs his shoulders. “Hey, what’s done is done.”

“Yeah, well, sorry, man.” Xavier says, remorse in his voice. “I didn’t mean for it to get out of hand. I was actually trying to stop it.”

“Yeah. I believe you.” Corn says, crumpling up the dirty napkins and squeezing it in his hands. “I just don’t think, Cookie believes me.”

“Yeah?” asks, Xavier.

“I was out with her tonight. We went to a bar.” Corn looks outside the window. ”She got really drunk. I mean fucking trashed. And the she called, Sabo.”

“What?” Xavier says, stunned.

“Yeah. I tried to stop her, but she wouldn’t have it. She called him, he told her what happened. She got mad at me and drove off.”

“Seriously?”

“Yeah. I’ve been walking around this whole time.”

“Man…”

“I know.” Says, Corn. “Hey, Xavier can I ask you for a favor?”

“Anything, bro.”

“Can you drive me home?”

“Aw, man. Sorry. No can do.” Xavier says. “I gotta meet, Janie.”

“Oh? I saw her at the coffee shop back there. She was alone. I guess she was waiting for you.”

“Not really. But kind of.” Xavier says, smirking. “Hey, maybe I can call someone to pick you up?”

“Sure. Long doesn’t have a car and, Luke and, Frank are probably too stoned to even know who’s cell is ringing.” Corn, pauses. “Can you call, Jack?”

Xavier rolls his eyes.

“C’mon, man. I don’t know how else I’m gonna get home. I’ve had a shitty ass night. And you guys are kind of to blame.”

Xavier, shakes his head, takes a deep breathe, and let’s it out. “Fucking shit, man. The things I do for you.”

Corn smiles.

Xavier picks up his cell phone, dials the number, and waits for the inevitable. He’s thinking, it’s 3 in the morning, Jack won’t pick up. Especially since it’s, Xavier. He’ll wait for it to go to voicemail and then leave a message, and then he’ll text him. That’s the best he could do.

But, Jack answers.

Yo.” Xavier says, coldly. “Corn needs a ride. He’s stuck in K-town. Long story and I don’t have time to tell it. Can you pick him up?”

Xavier listens for a little while.

“Hold on, man.” Xavier says, apperently interrupting. “I just happened to find him. He was walking the streets by himself. I can’t take him home. He needs a ride.”

Jack says something, Xavier listens, increasingly getting annoyed. “Because I can’t. I was on my way to do something. You’re the only one who can pick him up. So are you?”

Jack says something, Xavier listens and then says with a stern tone in his voice. “Why would she say that? Oh well, whatever, man. I’m going to leave him at the coffee shop right near Vu’s. He’ll be waiting for you. Just try to be a friend to someone tonight, okay? Laters.” And, Xavier hangs up.

Corn sits there, uncomfortable. Looks around, trying not to make any sudden movements.

“Don’t worry.” Xavier says. “He’ll pick you up.”

“Oh…okay…” Corn stutters.

Xavier makes his way back to the all-night coffee shop. “I’m gonna drop you off, okay?”

“But aren’t you gonna meet, Janie?” Corn asks.

“Yeah. But I want to make an entrance. Make a flourish and shit.” smiles, Xavier. “I’m gonna drive around for a couple of minutes.”

“Okay.” Says, Corn, as he gets out of the car. “Thanks, Xavier.”

“No bro. Thank you.” Xavier says. “Sorry about, Cookie, man.”

“It’s cool.” says, Corn. And he watches, Xavier drive off.

He walks into the outdoor patio, walks by, Janie, who is still texting on her phone, easily finds a table for himself, and tries to flag down a server to order some coffee. By the time, Corn get’s the attention of a server, Xavier comes walking in and sits with, Janie.

He notices how their bodies lean towards each other. How they’re flirting with each other. Probably saying really clever and witty things to each other. Exchanging pheromones with each other. They’re probably going to go home together. Make love. Wake up the next day. Eat breakfast. Read the newspaper. Talk about politics. Laugh. Smile. Then go take a walk at the park. Do that for abotu a year. Then, he’ll propose to her, give her a nice ring. She’ll say yes and they’ll live happily ever after. The end.

Corn sighs. He thinks about, Cookie. And, Sabo. And how they’re probably going to get back together. She’ll move back into his big ass house. They’ll have babies and get five dogs. They’ll teach the babies ninjitsu and the dogs to remember 20 different commands. They’ll probably sell that house, but another one in Italy and move there. He’ll become richer, because he’s that kind of guy, and then they’ll get a castle. She’ll become a princess. And they’ll live happily ever after. The end.

Then he thinks about, Jack and, Anna Lisa Kristina. And how they’re really good friends. And how that’ll probably blossom into something like a romantic comedy. They’ll have those quick dialogues with each other abotu relationships and life and realize how very different they are, but relish in the fact they can still be friends. And then one day, out of the blue, probably during a New Years Eve party, they’ll kiss platonically, but feel somethign romantic. They’ll get scared at first, but eventually, through a series of serendipitous events, they’ll admit the truth to each other. They’ll get married. Live across from, Xavier and, Janie, and then they’ll talk about soil samples with each other. Happily ever after. The end.

Corn sighs. He waits, hoping no one forgot about him.

Xavier almost crashed the car. “Fuck no.”

“Why not?” asked, Long. “We haven’t seen him in a long ass motherfuckingtime, dawg.”

“I said no.” Xavier said, increasing the speed of his car.

“Weren’t you guys like best friends?” Luke, in the back seat said, professionally rolling a joint. “You guys ain’t cool anymore?”

Xavier changed lanes, to a slower one. He knew the conversation was going to go somewhere where he shouldn’t be driving 80 miles per hour.

“Naw. They ain’t cool anymore.” Said, Long. “And it’s all because of a fucking chick.”

“What the fuck happened?” asked, Luke. “Hey guys, wana hit this?”

“Fuck yeah, motherfucker.” Long said, reached into the back seat, took the joint from, Luke, and puffed away.

They were on their way to Northridge. To kick some Europeans as for kicking their friend, Corn’s ass. Xavier didn’t want to, he wasn’t too much of a fighter anymore. He was 30 something already, had his fair share of fights and scraps, had enough of personal wars that lead to nothing but bruises and less friends. And he told, Corn they wouldn’t do it. But the Rules clearly state, this has to be done.

“So what happened?” asked, Luke, taking the joint from, Long and puffing away.

“I don’t want to talk about it, man.” Said, Xavier.

“I’ll tell you, bro.” Said, Long. “It has to do with a girl.”

“Oh, man. Doesn’t it always?” said, Luke, as if he knew anything of women. His virgin ass.

“You know that chick, Anna Lisa Kristina?” asked, Long.

“The one with the Jeep Wrangler?” asked, Luke.

“She used to have a Jeep Wrangler. Now she drives a Lexus.” corrected, Long.

“Was she the one who went to UCLA? For business or some shit like that?” asked, Luke.

“Shit, man, I dunno.” Said, Long. “Anyway, her and, Xavier her are best friends, right?”

“We were.” said, Xavier, trying to focus on the 18-wheeler in front of him.

“Oh yeah!” Luke reembered. “You guys were tight! always together and shit. Looked like you were a couple.”

“AHAHAHAHAHAHA!” cackled, Long. “Right? They did, right? Man, Xavier, I don’t know why you never tapped that ass! You fucking puss.”

“Shut the fuck up, man.” Xavier said.”We were friends. Friends don’t do that shit.”

“Fuck friends, bitch. I would’ve hit the fuck out of that!” yelled, Long.

“So what happened?” Asked, Luke. Passedthe joint to, Long.

Long took it, hit it, and passed it. “Well, Jack and, Xavier were tight, too. They grew up together. Have fucking sleepovers and shit when they were kids. Went to the same school, played the same sports, were in the same classes. They even went to the same college.”

“Uh huh.” said, Luke. “This is getting boring. Did they fight or what?”

“Yeah. Because that chick, Anna Lisa Kristina.” said, Long.

“It wasn’t just because of her.” said, Xavier.”There were other issues.”

“Like what, motherfucker?” said, Long. “Like he didn’t return your pants from high school? Or he didn’t want to talk to you about stupid computers? C’mon, dumb ass, you know it was about, Anna Lis Kristina.”

“So, what happened?” asked, Luke, for the fifteenth time.

“Right.” said, Long. “Well, Xavier here, no matter what the fucker says, he had the biggest hard-on for that girl. And then he tells her, she says ‘fuck off you bitch’, and then now, she’s kickin’ it with, Jack.”

“Oh man!” said, Luke.

“I know, right?” said, Long.

“That’s against the Rules!” said, Luke.

“That’s what I think, too.” said, Long.

“Look, you stupid idiots,” Xavier said. “It’s not against the rules. Technically, me and her were never boyfriend and girlfriend and even if we were, they’re just friends.”

“Man, it’s still against the Rules.” Long said. “That joint done?”

“Naw. Here.” Luke said, pasing the joint. “He’s right. Doesn’t matter. When a dude goes for a chick his dude friends likes, that a big ass no-no, man. C’mon, Xavier. You know the Rules.”

“Look, moron,” Xaiver said, getting angry. “We never went out. They aren’tgoing out. He isn’t going for her. It’s not against the Rues.”

“Jesus, man,” Said, Long, passing the joint back to, Luke. “Why you so mad? Why you defending his ass?”

“Because, you fucker, you’re talking about the Rules and you got it all wrong.” snapped, Xavier.”These Rules are stupid anyway. It’s a lot more fucking complicated than you dumb asses can perceive.”

“What’s ‘perceive’”? Asked, Luke.

“AHAHAHAHA! You dumb ass!” screamed, Long. “That’s, like when you see something. What a fucking dumb ass.”

“It ‘s stupid. The whole thing is stupid. We shouldn’t even be driving to this guy’s house.” Said Xavier. “For what? So we can kick his ass? Corn didn’t even want us to do that for him. He wanted us to squash this shit. And yet, here we are, driving to some guy’s house to kick his ass? For what? What’s the point of all this?” He had about enough.

“Dude.” Said, Luke from the back seat. “It’s the Rules.”

“Yeah, motherfucker. It’s the Rules.” said, Long. “And you’re fucking with my high.”

Xavier sighed. “I swear, god damn it, if this motherfucking European knows some sort of German martial art, and we get our asses handed to us, when I get out o the hospital, I’m gona kick both of your asses.”

He exited the 118, Tampa, and made a left. On their way to follow the Rules.

Xavier almost crashed the car. “Fuck no.”

“Why not?” asked, Long. “We haven’t seen him in a long ass motherfuckingtime, dawg.”

“I said no.” Xavier said, increasing the speed of his car.

“Weren’t you guys like best friends?” Luke, in the back seat said, professionally rolling a joint. “You guys ain’t cool anymore?”

Xavier changed lanes, to a slower one. He knew the conversation was going to go somewhere where he shouldn’t be driving 80 miles per hour.

“Naw. They ain’t cool anymore.” Said, Long. “And it’s all because of a fucking chick.”

“What the fuck happened?” asked, Luke. “Hey guys, wana hit this?”

“Fuck yeah, motherfucker.” Long said, reached into the back seat, took the joint from, Luke, and puffed away.

They were on their way to Northridge. To kick some Europeans as for kicking their friend, Corn’s ass. Xavier didn’t want to, he wasn’t too much of a fighter anymore. He was 30 something already, had his fair share of fights and scraps, had enough of personal wars that lead to nothing but bruises and less friends. And he told, Corn they wouldn’t do it. But the Rules clearly state, this has to be done.

“So what happened?” asked, Luke, taking the joint from, Long and puffing away.

“I don’t want to talk about it, man.” Said, Xavier.

“I’ll tell you, bro.” Said, Long. “It has to do with a girl.”

“Oh, man. Doesn’t it always?” said, Luke, as if he knew anything of women. His virgin ass.

“You know that chick, Anna Lisa Kristina?” asked, Long.

“The one with the Jeep Wrangler?” asked, Luke.

“She used to have a Jeep Wrangler. Now she drives a Lexus.” corrected, Long.

“Was she the one who went to UCLA? For business or some shit like that?” asked, Luke.

“Shit, man, I dunno.” Said, Long. “Anyway, her and, Xavier her are best friends, right?”

“We were.” said, Xavier, trying to focus on the 18-wheeler in front of him.

“Oh yeah!” Luke reembered. “You guys were tight! always together and shit. Looked like you were a couple.”

“AHAHAHAHAHAHA!” cackled, Long. “Right? They did, right? Man, Xavier, I don’t know why you never tapped that ass! You fucking puss.”

“Shut the fuck up, man.” Xavier said.”We were friends. Friends don’t do that shit.”

“Fuck friends, bitch. I would’ve hit the fuck out of that!” yelled, Long.

“So what happened?” Asked, Luke. Passedthe joint to, Long.

Long took it, hit it, and passed it. “Well, Jack and, Xavier were tight, too. They grew up together. Have fucking sleepovers and shit when they were kids. Went to the same school, played the same sports, were in the same classes. They even went to the same college.”

“Uh huh.” said, Luke. “This is getting boring. Did they fight or what?”

“Yeah. Because that chick, Anna Lisa Kristina.” said, Long.

“It wasn’t just because of her.” said, Xavier.”There were other issues.”

“Like what, motherfucker?” said, Long. “Like he didn’t return your pants from high school? Or he didn’t want to talk to you about stupid computers? C’mon, dumb ass, you know it was about, Anna Lis Kristina.”

“So, what happened?” asked, Luke, for the fifteenth time.

“Right.” said, Long. “Well, Xavier here, no matter what the fucker says, he had the biggest hard-on for that girl. And then he tells her, she says ‘fuck off you bitch’, and then now, she’s kickin’ it with, Jack.”

“Oh man!” said, Luke.

“I know, right?” said, Long.

“That’s against the Rules!” said, Luke.

“That’s what I think, too.” said, Long.

“Look, you stupid idiots,” Xavier said. “It’s not against the rules. Technically, me and her were never boyfriend and girlfriend and even if we were, they’re just friends.”

“Man, it’s still against the Rules.” Long said. “That joint done?”

“Naw. Here.” Luke said, pasing the joint. “He’s right. Doesn’t matter. When a dude goes for a chick his dude friends likes, that a big ass no-no, man. C’mon, Xavier. You know the Rules.”

“Look, moron,” Xaiver said, getting angry. “We never went out. They aren’tgoing out. He isn’t going for her. It’s not against the Rues.”

“Jesus, man,” Said, Long, passing the joint back to, Luke. “Why you so mad? Why you defending his ass?”

“Because, you fucker, you’re talking about the Rules and you got it all wrong.” snapped, Xavier.”These Rules are stupid anyway. It’s a lot more fucking complicated than you dumb asses can perceive.”

“What’s ‘perceive’”? Asked, Luke.

“AHAHAHAHA! You dumb ass!” screamed, Long. “That’s, like when you see something. What a fucking dumb ass.”

“It ‘s stupid. The whole thing is stupid. We shouldn’t even be driving to this guy’s house.” Said Xavier. “For what? So we can kick his ass? Corn didn’t even want us to do that for him. He wanted us to squash this shit. And yet, here we are, driving to some guy’s house to kick his ass? For what? What’s the point of all this?” He had about enough.

“Dude.” Said, Luke from the back seat. “It’s the Rules.”

“Yeah, motherfucker. It’s the Rules.” said, Long. “And you’re fucking with my high.”

Xavier sighed. “I swear, god damn it, if this motherfucking European knows some sort of German martial art, and we get our asses handed to us, when I get out o the hospital, I’m gona kick both of your asses.”

He exited the 118, Tampa, and made a left. On their way to follow the Rules.

In two years time, Jack has made a dramatic change in lifestyle. His closest friends don’t recognize him anymore. His family doesn’t either. Nor does his ex-wife.

“Kris…” He whispers as his body quickly immerses itself into the 3 dimensional plane it has found itself in for the past 30 years. “I love you.”

He stands up. Takes ten long, deep, breathes, and throws himself on the ground. Within ten minutes, Jack finishes 5 reps of ten push-ups. The faster he does it, the more tight his muscles become. He doesn’t want to be huge. He just wants to have more energy.

He runs several small businesses, all on the internet. Most are marketing-based, while a few are direct service based. None alone can afford him a decent life, but his formula for success is to acquire as many small ventures, so cumulatively, they make him a large amount of money. If one fails, he still has the rest. And since he is constantly branching out into new avenues of utilizing the internet, he makes a good, consistent living. This is what he learned at his old job.

It’s 8:30am. He’s in the kitchen, same time everyday. It’s Wednesday, so that means cereal and bagels, washed down with orange juice and water. By 9am, he should be in the bathroom, ready to shower, shave, brush his teeth, scrape his tongue, and oxidize his face.

But his cell phone rings. It’s, Anna Lisa Kristina.

“Hello, chum.” Says the raspy voice on the other end.

“Hello, Kris.” He says, prepping his breakfast. “What’s up.”

“Nothing much. Just wanted to interrupt your daily routine with some earth-shattering information.” She says.

“What happened?” He asks, taking the first bite of his cereal, waiting for the bagel to toast.

“I’m pregnant.” She says.

He almost spits out his cereal.

“Just kidding.” She says, giggling. “I’m flying to Hawaii. For business. But I have a Saturday free. It’s on the 7th. Wanna meet me there?”

He wipes his mouth. The bagel pops out of the toaster. He grabs it, puts it on a paper plate, since it’s more time-efficient to throw away paper plates instead of washing dishes. “God damn it, Kris.” He says.

“Well, are you going to meet me in Hawaii?” She asks.

“No. I can’t. I don’t have enough time.” He says. “I’m busy for the next two months. you should have told me earlier. I could’ve put it in my book.”

“You’re soooooo friggin’ boring, Jack.” She says, sighing. “What happened to you? You used to be so much fun.”

“Well, I’m different now.” He says, getting back to his routine. “I need to be this way.”

“Blah, blah, blah. Evolution, blah, blah, blah.” She says, sarcasticaly. “Does this have anything to do with me?”

“It has everything to do with you. Or at least, what you represent.”

“Oh my God!!! If I have to listen to this whole thing about the human species all over the fuck again, I swear, Jack, I’m going to sell this ring!”

“You won’t get a lot for it. That was when I was poor.”

“You’re still poor, buckaroo!”

“Well, poorer.”

“Listen to me, Loverboy. You can be a resonsible man and still have a little fun. It’s totally possible, my friend.”

“Well, not for me. Not right now. I’m not like you, Kris. I don’t have energy coming out of my fingertips. I don’t have the kind of tactical mind you have. You can see what’s going to happen before it even happens. I have to experience it….”

“Blah, blah, blah!” She interrupts. “Jack, you’re so boring! I don’t like this new you.”

“You didn’t like the old me either.” He says, bitterly.

“Well…” She pauses. “Well…shit…if you want to go, let me know. Otherwise I’m probably going to find me a cutecabana boy to hang out with.”

“Okay. Whatever.” Jack says. “I have to get ready, Kris. We’re still for dinner tonight?”

“Yes, Sweetie.” Anna Lisa Kristina says. “Hey, Jack. Don’t get too far into this ‘responsible’ thing, okay? I’m gonna miss you if you go too far. Ya hear?”

He sighs. “Well, it’s not like I have a choice with you.”

He can tell she smiling through the phone. She says, “We’ll always have Paris! Bye, Baby! See you tonight!” click.

A long time ago, Jack and, Anna Lisa Kristina were married. For two days. They’d been close friends for years and one night, in Las Vegas, city of surreal survivor instinct, in a drunken, fun-filled, id-driven, weekend of every vice imaginable, these two ended up at a chapel, and were married. And anulled two days later.

That was three years ago. While, Jack was still a self-proclaimed ‘adventurer of the world’. While he worked at a night club. Where he sold drugs. Where he would get drunk, find a mutually fucked up girl, and have sex with her. During a time where he was reading a lot of eastern philosophy books, social psychology books, self-help books, and alternative medicine books. Back when he thought he could change the world just by walking around and talking to people about what they should and should not do. He didn’t make a lot of money, but, supposedly, his soul was at ease.

Anna Lisa Kristina felt sorry for him, because he didn’t really have a place to stay, and because he didn’t eat a lot, and because he wore the same clothes and shoes for four years. So every so often, he gave him money to support himself. He begrudgingly accepted, vowing to the gods, he would one day repayher kindness.

Two years ago, the adventures stopped. Jack cut ties with his long time friends, and fellow adventurers, Long, Xavier, and, Corn. Not on purpose. He continued to hang out with the boys, he just stopped partcipating in the activities they all used to find exhilirating. Like drugs. Like hooking up with chicks. Like fighting outside of bars. Like walking to coffee shops and drinking coffee and listening to acoustic musicians and beatnik-esque poets. Like playing video games for 25 hours straight in a dusty garage, eating Funyuns and drinking Mountain Dew, talking shit about people that they had no direct impact on in the first place. Gradually, Jack wasn’t invited to the ‘adventures’ anymore.

Two years ago, something happened to, Jack that not a lot of people know. He met a girl from out of town. Her name was, Shelby. From San Francisco. She was studying to become a lawyer. A civil rights lawyer. Her heart was with her cultural community. But her head was in the rules of Life. So she figured out a way to do what she felt she needed to do, without having to romantically die for it. To live and to serve. She called it, her resonsibility.

They fell in love. Whilrwind romance. Moved in together. Had a lot of sex. Had a lot of deep, prolonged conversations. Had a lot of disagreements and arguments. Everything that true whirilwind romances comes with, these two experience. Including the bad break-up. Including the pregnancy scare.

At the same time, his mother had a stroke that paralyzed half her body and most of her family. The most powerful force on earth, was reduced to a bed-ridden, half-corpse, with a speech impediment.

He woke up, noticed the connection between his mother, himself, and his almost-child. And with death and life.

That was it for him.

He looked back at his life. And what he had acomplished with all the ‘adventures’ he and his group had gone through and how, in the grand scheme of things, it meant nothing. No mark, no substance, no reason, other than to flick the middle finger in the face of someone who was too busy to notice. And that was enough for him to change the way he was.

180 degrees. He became a new man. His friends didn’t recognize him. His family, nor his ex-wife recognized him. No one recognized him. And that’s exaclty what he wanted.

In the middle of his immaculately clean room was a letter he wrote to himself two years ago. It read:

“The answer is: The generations. The kids. The children. They are going to be better than you, just like you are supposed to be better than your parents. It’s genetics. Whatever you do, they are going to improve upon, like you were supposed to do. Build on your parents success. Work on your parents failures. This is what your children are supposed to do with you. The better you are, the better they will be. It’s you job to elevate and challenge them, like those that came before you. It’s your responsibility. Go.”

After his ritual in the bathroom, Jack got his clothes together. It was 9:30. He read the note. Put on his clothes. Got his keys, wallet, and body spray. Walked out the door and into his car. Drove off to start his work day.