At an auto shop last weekend, I took in my car for a smog check. For whatever reason, I was feeling upbeat that day, and I decided to saunter over and speak to the cute girl leaning against a motorcycle. After I waited for her to start the conversation for me, I jumped in –
Josh: “How’s your day going?”
Girl: “Not good. My mom kicked me out ‘cause she’s like, ‘Oh, you’re bipolar. You’re crazy.’”
Josh: {immediately disinterested} “Agh. That…sucks.”
Girl: “I don’t even have clothes, you know? This barber has all of my clothes at his shop.”
Josh: “Well, you’ll have to drive down there later.”
Girl: “I would, but I lost my license from…all that shit I did.”
Josh: “Yeah?”
Girl: “Yeah.”
Josh: “Is this your motorcycle?”
Girl: “No.”
Josh: “Mm.”
Girl: “I think the cops are after me.”
Josh: “Really?”
Girl: “From…all the shit I did.”
Josh: “That…sucks.”
Girl: {looking at me intensely} “I don’t even have a place to spend the night.”
Josh: “Mm.”
Girl: “Yeah…”
{A long, uncomfortable beat.}
Josh: “Oop! I think my phone’s ringing.”
{Josh reaches into his pocket and pulls out his wallet. He puts it up to his ear so that he can walk away.}
Josh: “Hello?”
