6am, 30 September 2007

my sister and i went dancing in Miami, and when the lights came on at 5am, everyone in the club grew uglier. we could see who was on what for how long and how strong, and my sister and i became suddenly better looking. we drove to South Beach to celebrate with pancakes in an unpleasantly cold café.

at the booth behind us sat two large men, and it was impossible to discern whether they were siblings or lovers. one berated the other as his hamburger grew cold, and eventually his performance caused the whole row of tables to shake:

(my sister turns around)

"watch it buddy."

(the man jumps up)

"what the f_ck? what the f_ck?"

(my sister is from Baltimore)

"you're bangin' the table."

(bulging waistband implies gun)

"what the f_ck?"

(my sister is from Baltimore)

"[silence]"

(three men at corner booth stand up)

"is there a problem here?"

(man turns to face three men)

"what the f_uck?"

(three men step forward)

"is there a problem here?"

(lover/brother stands)

"what the f_uck?"

(three men in unison)

"we from New York."

(man steps forward)

"what the f_ck we care 'bout New York? "

(lover/brother steps forward)

"we from Camden."

[lapse]

we asked for our tab and left for home, while (unknown) rappers exchanged numbers in the corner booth of the café.