After a while we went to the diner at Market and Church. Jason and I took a table next to a table of girls with strong jaws talking in deep voices. Under the light I saw their makeup shine, their hair stiff. They were hunched over burritos in conversation. Jason gave them a second glance as he sat down. One turned to Jason and said, “Say, darling. Do eat something. You look rather skinny in that wife beater. Are you trying to imitate a frat boy or something?”
“I am a frat boy,” Jason said.
“Ah, right. I’m captain of the cheerleading squad,” she responded. “Sounds like we’re a perfect match.” The girls introduced themselves as Alex, Jordan, and Brett.
“Brett. Like in Sun Also Rises,” I said.
“Yep. I’m totally the modern woman.” All but Jason laughed. I ordered us five beers. A sailor sitting a few tables down smiled at us.
“So what brings you all to the city?” Brett asked.
“How do you know I’m not from here?” Jason responded.
“Honey, no one in this city is from this city. Everyone’s a refugee. I escaped from Kansas City. God save me.”
“I doubt it,” Jason said.
“Dude.” I said. Alex stared at him. I turned back to Brett. “I’m from Chicago. Here for the summer for an internship. He’s studying at Cal. From Orange County.”
“I’m sorry,” Alex said with a Mexican accent.
Jason looked at him for a moment then turned to me, “Hey man, let’s get out of here. I’m not drunk enough for this.”
“Chill the fuck out. Drink your beer.” I turned back to the girls, “What do you guys do?”
“I think we both know the answer to that,” Brett said with a smile.
“I mean for a living.”
“Well I’m a waiter at Bearaccuda, and these two work for the ACLU. You’re both students, I assume? What do you study?”
“I’m an English and Political Science major. He’s geology.”
“Geology!” Alex said, “I should have guessed.”
“Why’s that?” Jason asked.
“Because you are stiff as a rock, sweetie. Why you don’t relax a bit?”
“He’s always stiff,” I said.
“In this neighborhood,” said Jordan, “So am I!” They all laughed.
Jason turned to me, “I’m getting out of here man. Here’s three bucks for the beer.” He grabbed his coat and headed for the door. I threw money on the table, apologized to the girls, and followed him out into the night.
