Wordsmoker

You’re taking in a bare-knuckle boxing match or placing an aggressive wager in a clandestine gambling den. The attendees seem to be enjoying themselves, but their mood isn’t even mildly interesting to you. You’re there to take possession of some contraband, or to kill an hour until the cocktail waitress ends her shift. As you reflect on the price you’ve paid for your wasted youth, you light up an unfiltered cigarette and finish the warm dregs of whiskey in the tumbler that’s been sitting by your right elbow. Just when you look around to ask someone where the goddamn waiter is with that drink that you ordered, the guy next to you asks an inane question like, “Are you having an okey time, mac?” And you reply, “Heck, yeah! I’m having an awesome time! What about you?” You look past your right shoulder and notice that you’ve unconsciously raised your hand to offer one of those “high fives” or “fist bumps” that everyone seems to be so fond of these days.

And just like that, it’s gone. Read the rest of this entry →