The Quest for Pop (NOT soda) - 7/5/2000

It's such an exhilarating feeling to be out at four or five in the morning, just walking.

The streets smell like vomit and nicotine and cheap booze.

Most of the people have already gotten drunk off their ass and gone home to sleep it off, but there are a few people on the streets, talking about mysterious things in hushed whispers.

I pass some people I recognize, but none of them well enough to say hello.

The door of the 7-11 is open, so I walk in a little hesitantly, nervously saying hello to the woman mopping the floor.

I go to the back, where the fridges full of cold beverages are. I check out the prices, noticing that it would cost as much for a name-brand 600mL bottle of pop as for a no-name 2L. I take two 2L to be on the safe side. I think I have enough for three, but I can't be sure.

I go up to the cash, pay, say goodnight, and head out into the street.

On the way back I see a kid I met one recess in Grade 8. He boasts to me of stealing $30 from a car with an open window. "Cool," I say.

"Where you going?" he asks.

"Home," I say. "See you later."

"Later."

This twilight world leaves a lot of room for thought about everything, about the beauty of the universe...


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