be_a_little_bit_wiser_baby tender_square each week it was the same. no one was ever in the loop on thursday at 10 pm but us. we’d be lucky if ten people dropped by as the night progressed, most of them friends. theresa and i would set up our computers in the dj booth shaped like a spaceship and click “launch” on a playlist. derek would shake up some gin martini’s that he served in v-shaped stemware kept behind the bar for our use only, gifts from amanda the club maintained. after catching up about how our week had gone with him, we’d bring our drinks into the booth and head downstairs with a joint and my cigarettes, laying a base we’d ride for the rest of the night. the north alleyway had an alcove we’d smoke in because it made us inconspicuous from ferry street. i lit a djarum while the joint burned, that way if any cops came by, we could make it appear like we were just two innocent girls sharing a smoke. giggling in the alleyway, tipsy and loose, theresa and i joined our voices in harmony, belted for all we were worth: “i need some love like i never needed love before (gonna make love to you baby) i had a little love, now i’m back for more (gonna make love to you baby) set your spirit free, it’s the only way to be.” we had our eyes closed as we sang. we were committed to getting it right. we didn’t notice that two cops on foot patrol were suddenly standing in front of us. “what’s going on here?” a gruff voice knocked us out of our reverie. theresa quickly dropped the joint behind her back, placed her foot over it. “oh, nothing. just having a smoke and singing some spice girls,” i said casually, pulling a drag. playing it this cool around authority was so not like me. “uh, and you were smoking a joint.” “what? no!” we cried in faux incredulity, turning to look at each other and back to the cops. “put it out,” one of the officers warned. theresa lifted her shoe, reluctantly stubbed the joint out with her toe. i gave a sad horn “wah wah” noise after, pretty ballsy, i’ll admit. but in my defense, i had a buzz on, i had no filter. the cops walked on down the alley, heading toward the strip club. theresa and i made it to the end of “two_become_one.” i finished my cigarette, flicked the butt onto the asphalt, trailing behind her. 211111 what's it to you? who go blather from