A Thousand Faces (2024)

[bunniefuu]

Do you hear me

Right or wrong

I never walked away

You do it every time

We are not the same

Love ain't easy

Your make it much harder

Fighting your demons

Still can't f*ck with my soul

Take this, take this

Watch your breath

Watch this

Do you feel it

Take this

Watch this

Do you feel me now

Wait, one second.

Okay.

Okay.

All right, ready?

Mm-hm.

Oh, wait, wait, wait, not, not

there.

Oh, oh, okay.

I'm sorry. - Yeah.

Yeah. - Yeah.

How's that? - That's it.

Okay. - Okay.

Okay, good. - Yeah.

Now, uh, grab me here. - What?

My, my breasts, grab

them, please.

Oh, yeah, um, like,

like that. - Wait, not, not so

fast.

Oh, okay, okay.

Uh, is that better?

Uh, yeah, I guess.

Okay, okay. - Yeah, okay.

What is it?

Are, are you, are you, are you

ready?

Uh, yeah, yeah, I'm

just, um.

There's, there's just

something up with the condom.

Oh, it's the condom?

Yeah, I'm, I'm

not familiar with this brand.

Mm, well, do you wanna take a

moment?

'Cause we, we can take a moment.

No, I'm, I'm okay,

just, you know.

It doesn't seem like

you're okay.

Just

gimme a second, okay?

You're kind

of losing me right now.

If you just, just calm

down.

All this talking is a bit

excessive.

Mm.

Okay, yeah, enough.

I'm fairly certain we're done

here.

You're a real piece of

work.

You can go now.

You are easily one of the

nastiest people I've ever met.

That can't be true.

And completely ungrateful.

Ungrateful?

Are you serious? - Yeah.

Yeah, with like, no manners.

Well, thank you, sir,

for the drinks and the

random bar food earlier.

How's that?

A quinoa salad is not random

bar food.

You offered.

Yeah, well, you said

that you don't eat wings.

Do you have Venmo?

'Cause I can pay you back.

Forever will be too soon.

Yeah, nice to meet you too.

Don't slam my door.

Whoa, what, what was that?

It's car backfire, maybe.

It's probably nothing.

Nope, no, no, no, that

was definitely g*nshots.

Oh, sh*t.

It's a lot of police.

Maybe you should leave while you

still can.

Wait, you sure?

Yeah.

Where'd you park?

You drove.

Right, right.

Okay, well, how are you getting

home?

I don't know.

Uber to my bike or, or catch the

bar.

Yeah, you should be good.

Uh, back inside, please.

Okay, uh, excuse me, officer.

I actually don't live

here, I'm just visiting,

so all I would like to do is

just-

Get back inside now.

This neighborhood's on lockdown.

I need you back inside until

it's safe.

This sucks.

Yeah, it does.

No, you don't understand.

I have important meetings in the

morning.

Uh, I do too.

I mean, I got stuff to do.

Residents stay in your homes.

f*ck.

You okay?

Yeah.

Perfect.

A book right now.

Really?

Wait here.

Where you going?

I gotta use the

bathroom.

Well, how long you gonna be?

Just stay put.

Can I get some water?

Just stay put.

"Stay put."

What the f*ck?

Oh.

Uh.

Why are you in my room?

What's up with all the

balloons?

Are you on drugs?

No.

You stealing sh*t?

What, no, I promise.

Um.

God, you're pretty.

Oh, um, yeah, no, I was

just looking at the artwork.

I swear.

I, I saw the two paintings

in the living room and,

and then the one in the hallway,

and then I just kept walking

and, and walk in and walk in,

and then I-

Stay in one place.

Absolutely.

Get out.

Go.

Oh, right now.

Okay, yep, yep, yep.

Did you make this?

Sorry, um, I saw your

art supplies in your room.

Nope.

We're not doing this.

Doing what?

This, this thing you're

doing, the whole biography bit.

You ask me a question

and I tell you my life story,

and then you do the same.

No.

We're in extended

periods, you know, overtime.

This should have been over.

Well, will you at least

tell me your name?

No.

No, no.

Seriously?

No name.

I told you at the bar,

if it was important, you

would've remembered.

Yeah, but I, I was hammered.

I'm still hammered.

Okay, and?

So am I.

I bet you don't remember my

name.

Look, I'm exhausted

and I gotta get some rest.

So, until this is all over,

you can lay right here,

or sleep in the chair.

Nah, I'm good.

I'm not too tired.

I'm just gonna grab my backpack.

But you have to lay down.

Why do I have to lay down?

Well, I can't go to sleep and

have you up roaming around.

What are you reading?

"Wretched."

Have you read it?

Mm-hm.

Yeah, do you like it?

Yeah, it's cool.

Did you study Franz at

Berkeley.

Oh, yo, sorry, um, I didn't mean

to pry.

I just saw your CAL sweater

at, you know, in your room.

Berkeley, that's, that's really

impressive.

I first read 'em in high

school.

Geez, what

high school did you go to?

What about you?

When did you first read 'em?

Uh, you know, I took a

couple Afro studies courses

at Chico State.

Yeah.

And my,

you know, my professor gave

me this copy before he died.

That's too bad.

Nah, it's okay.

This is actually has been with

me

across five different countries.

That's a lot of traveling for

a book.

Well, he was my favorite

professor,

and it is a really good book.

What about you?

Do you have anything

valuable that you keep with you?

Nope.

Really?

What about all this, like,

furniture

and the, you know, the mass

and, and the art and stuff.

It's just stuff.

Hey, I'm, I'm sorry for

yelling at you.

No problem.

And for calling you ghetto.

Mm, I don't remember

you calling me ghetto.

Well, I did, you know,

just under my breath.

And I'm sorry.

Okay.

Okay?

Is that it?

What do you want me to say?

I don't know, how about,

"I'm sorry, or "I apologize," or.

For what? - Seriously?

Uh, okay.

Well, I'm sorry for being mean.

Yeah, no, forget

it, it's not that serious.

Okay.

Lucas.

I'm sorry, really.

Okay.

Uh, thank you.

Thank you, what?

Um, look, I'm, I'm

trying, I, I really am.

Okay.

And yes, I made them.

Wow.

That is something.

Thanks.

No, seriously, you

have such a strong voice.

And I just finished this one.

Oh, wow, beautiful.

Do you mind if I.

This is so, so melancholy,

and, and, uh, morose, right?

It's whatever you say, it's

subjective.

Mm.

I'm getting it framed next

week.

So, why do you paint?

I don't know.

Makes me happy, I guess.

Art has no judgment or

expectation.

The work is the work, you know?

Well, sh*t, I mean, you hella

good.

Like, like really, really,

really good.

Thanks.

I mean, I just feel

privileged to be here.

Now, you're being funny.

Oh, no, no, I'm being serious.

You're smarter and you're,

you're creative,

and, and know, you're just

really pretty.

Mm, really pretty.

Yeah. - Mm.

Mm, with one of the, um,

nicest necks I've ever seen.

Yes, I remember the

compliment.

Oh, yeah.

A neck, like a gazelle.

Mm-hmm.

Funny, you can remember that,

but you can't remember my name.

Um.

Um, I'm not sure if we can, uh.

What are you doing?

Nothing.

Okay.

Well, it looks like something.

Are you ready?

Uh, are you ready?

Oh, no, I'm, I'm, I'm

definitely ready.

You sure? - Oh, am I sure?

Yes, I am sure.

Very clearly.

Very clearly sure.

Wait, wait, wait.

Tell me your name.

I can't.

Why not?

You should have remembered.

Come on on, now.

No.

Pretty, please.

Pretty, pretty,

pretty, pretty, pretty, please.

Pretty, please.

Pretty, please, pretty, please.

Asha.

Asha. - Mm-hm.

Asha, that's it. - Yes.

Yeah.

You happy now? - I'm very

happy.

Well, just to be clear though,

you, you don't have like a

boyfriend or nothing, do you?

What?

No.

No, come on. - Okay,

okay.

Ouch.

Shh, quiet.

Okay.

Okay, so, remember earlier

when you asked me if I

had a boyfriend and I said no.

Yeah, like five minutes ago?

Yeah.

You lied? - I lied.

Except he's not my

boyfriend, he's my fiance,

so technically I didn't lie.

A fiance, sh*t.

And he's at the door.

What?

I know.

You're gonna hide over there.

Okay? - Okay, but I.

But he's big and he hates

white people.

Well, you talking about

that dude in the picture?

So, you were looking through

my stuff?

Yeah, I was just a little bit.

Why'd you lie?

What do you mean why did I

lie?

Okay, look, and I'm also not

white.

Okay, white looking,

white acting, whatever.

Anyway, he's at the door.

No, that guy is f*cking big.

Yeah, he played pro ball.

Oh, really, where?

Linebacker for the Saints.

You mean the New York Saints?

Listen, just, just go over

there, okay?

And pray.

I'm agnostic.

It's never too late to start,

okay?

Hello?

One second.

Hi.

Can I help you? - Evening,

ma'am.

Mind if I come in and take a

look around?

What's going on out

there?

This your place?

When can we leave?

There's an escape felon on the

loose.

We're suspecting that he's

hiding around

in one of these houses.

So you locked down

the whole neighborhood?

Yeah.

He's carjacked some people.

Shotted officers, kidnapped the

dog.

Um, this is serious.

Anyone else in here with you?

No.

Seen anything strange?

I thought I heard cops.

Oh, is, uh, is everything okay?

I thought you

said you were here alone.

Uh, who are you?

This is, um.

Lucas, Lucas Christian.

Seriously?

Your last name is Christian.

Sir, I'm gonna need you

to put on a shirt, please.

Officer, Ma'am, um, I have

places to be,

so when can we leave?

You have somewhere

to be?

Where?

That's in your business, lady.

Just do your job.

Have a nice night.

f*ck.

You okay?

I knew I shouldn't have done

this.

Oh, God.

Asha, what the f*ck.

Where you going?

To the back porch.

You coming?

Yeah, yeah.

No, no, definitely, I'm coming.

I never walked away

You do it every time

We are not the same

Love ain't easy

Come on.

Oh, I'm coming.

Fighting your demon

Still can't f*ck with my soul

Take this, take this

Watch your breath

Watch this

Get down, sit down

Do you feel it

Take this

Watch this

You know, sometimes,

you like really listen, the

freeway sounds like the ocean.

First of all, one, no, I

don't sound like a freeway.

And second, don't change the

subject.

Having a fiance is a big a*s

omission.

Hold the judgment, bro.

You're the one going home

with random people from Dragon

Gate.

Let that sink in.

Dragon Gate, I could've been a

m*rder*r.

Yeah, facts.

Besides, we're pretty much

broken up now.

How are y'all

broken up if y'all engaged?

He's engaged.

I don't understand.

I broke up with him,

and then he proposed.

Wow.

Yeah, f*ck move, right?

No, I think it's pretty

clever.

I mean, if you try to break

up with me, I'll propose too.

Okay.

Anyway, I didn't accept,

so it's just a unilateral offer.

Well, did he give you

a ring and everything?

Yep, but I'm giving it back.

Yeah, sure, you are.

No, seriously,

I tried to reject it but

he forced it on my finger.

How did he

force you to take a ring?

In front of our family and

friends.

If you say so.

Okay, his grandmother was

there.

It was a lot of pressure.

How long you two been

together?

Long enough.

Now, you don't seem

like you're from Oakland.

I'm from Bakersville. - Yikes.

Have you even been?

God, no.

I passed through a few times.

That was enough.

Yeah, yeah,

you're probably right.

So tell me how someone

with a last name like

Christian becomes agnostic?

Probably reading too many

books.

You know, start questioning

everything and everyone.

Your parents fanatics?

Yeah, extremely.

You?

I believe in God,

uh, I'm more faithful

than religious, I guess.

I started studying

the history of the Bible,

and there are a lot of holes in

that story.

Exactly.

But still you

can't deny a higher power.

Well, I can make a pretty good

argument.

Dude, something or someone

has to be controlling the sh*t

down here.

Trust me, it's not.

So I guess, God didn't, uh,

order your steps to Oakland?

Nope, that was Josh.

Josh is your Jesus.

Nah, he was my

roommate at Chico State.

He hooked me up with

a dispensary gig.

You ever see, um,

anything crazy working at the

weed shops?

Nah.

I mean, I saw a lady pass

out from hitting a Dab too hard.

That's it, like

no robberies or nothing?

Nah, it was pretty chill.

What about you?

What's the craziest

thing you've seen in a job?

There was this like one job

that I had right after law

school.

Years ago, I used to clerk for

a criminal judge in Maryland.

Clerk?

Is that like a secretary?

No, I was a law clerk.

So, what does a law clerk do?

Legal stuff, like I

would, uh, write briefs

and do research for the judge.

So, there was this one case,

and I think about it sometimes,

a guy was k*lled two

o'clock in the afternoon

in downtown Baltimore,

some type of g*ng stuff.

Uh, the streets were crowded,

but only one eyewitness came

forward,

a little boy, like, eight years

old.

A little boy said he

saw a guy in a ski mask,

sh**t the victim, and then

after, pull the mask up and run.

He said he, uh, recognized the

defendant

from the neighborhood.

And you believed this boy?

Yeah.

Okay.

But, uh, how close was he?

The boy? - Yeah.

Uh, he was in an apartment

building,

right above the sh**ting,

like three stories up.

That's pretty far up.

Yeah, but the little boy was

sure,

like he knew this guy for sure.

Plus, I could just tell he did

it.

How?

I know this is wrong,

but he just looked guilty.

Like, he was the most sinister

person I'd ever seen, ever.

He would sneer at the

prosecutor and mock the judge.

When the 911 call was played,

the victim's family got really

emotional.

But when he saw them

crying, he started laughing.

He ever messed with you?

Yeah.

When he was being cross

examined by the prosecution,

they had him put on this

ski mask and then take it off,

put it on and take it

off over and over again.

It was really stressful.

Yeah, I can imagine.

But every

time he pulled the mask up,

he grimaced at me.

What, why you?

I don't know.

But, uh, it was my job to take

the mask

and put it back into the

evidence room.

One day I went to reach

for it and he wouldn't let it go.

sh*t.

And I went and reached for it

again,

and then he yanked me toward

him.

The bailiff ran over

and he finally let it go.

Well, what happened, were you

scared?

No, I mean, I knew

he couldn't do anything.

What happened to the case?

He got off.

Serious?

How?

The jury didn't think

that the boy could recognize the

defendant

with the mask partially covering

his face.

So the mask did its job.

Literally.

But that's not the craziest

part.

So, a bunch of months later, I'm

at work,

um, and I rushed down

to put money in my meter.

And you know how you can just

see

and, like, feel someone,

like, looking at you?

Well, I look up and who do I

see?

Him? - Him.

Whoa.

Did he say anything?

What'd you do?

He smiled.

Walked by.

But then.

But then?

Well.

He lunged at me. - Oh, oh God.

No, I'm kidding, no, he

didn't.

He didn't lunge at me, he

just smiled and walked by.

But you said, God.

No, I didn't.

Yep, yep, yep, nope,

you literally called out for

God.

No, I didn't, you're being

ridiculous.

You can't hear me over that

freeway.

Come on, dude, let's go

in, I'm f*cking cold.

Gotta be scared

Gotta be scared

Gotta be scared

Gotta be scared

Gotta be scared

Gotta be scared

Hey, can I use the bathroom?

Mm-hm, go ahead.

Okay.

Like a new

chair or some sh*t.

Lucas.

Lucas, can you hear me?

Where are you?

Is everything okay?

I'm getting worried.

Lucas.

Lucas, can you hear me, where

are you?

Lucas?

Yeah, I'm, I'm, I'm sorry

about that.

Mm-hm.

You okay?

There's no meat in this place,

but you smoke from a vape.

I think you're a good writer.

Why'd you go through my stuff?

Curious.

Mm, happy now?

Can I read some more?

No.

Come on.

I showed you my work and I,

I never show anyone my work.

Please?

Okay.

Sure.

Thank you. - Mm, you're

welcome.

"Every morning I'm here."

Okay, you don't have to read

it out loud.

"At the corner of Turner

Lane and Signpost Road,

behind the woods.

It is not really near my home,

nor is it on the way to work.

It is not even easy to get to,

but it is the only place

I can find her regularly.

God.

If peace could be a thing, a

single thing,

then it would be this place.

It seems that everything you

wanted to do,

everything you wanted to be,

the hope that makes you

think that horrible things

will soon pass are all in

fruitful abundance here.

The sense of calm is contagious.

She used to hang out across

town, but it got too rough.

A place where feelings don't

matter and tears go unnoticed.

The type of place where they

will continue

to strike your hands until they

tire,

then they will go for your face.

Unless you drop to the

ground, then the feet come out.

Your only option is to run

and maybe come back with a group

that is larger and tougher than

theirs,

but it is unlikely, impossible

even.

They are from here

incarnated from the rubble

that covers most of the open

land.

You should see it.

Kids playing atop mountains of

rocks

and boulders almost as tall

as the few remaining buildings

that sprout from the pavement,

like gigantic brown weeds.

But more noticeable than the

rubble

are the ghosts, the

worst being the little ones.

You cannot tell their

age, only their height.

They walk around aimless,

moaning, looking for their mothers

who have likely passed on or

moved on,

fed up and frustrated with

the people here and their ways.

These people, they walk around

overtaken

"by pain." - Okay, okay, okay.

"Their heads and-" - That's

enough.

What are you doing with that?

What do you mean?

I mean, it's good.

Have you sent it to any agents?

No.

Does your girlfriend like it?

That was her, right, on the

phone?

Your girlfriend?

I could tell she was important.

You cannot tell that.

Dude, you f*cking turned

into a ninja to end that call.

So, yes, she is important.

Really, I hope I didn't

mess something up for you.

I don't know.

I'll just say that maybe my

phone got stolen or something.

So she is your

girlfriend?

Ex.

Ah.

Does she know it? - Does she

know what?

That you

two are no longer together?

Our relationship is in

the transitional phase.

Wow, that's original.

Oh, yeah?

Yeah, you're one to talk.

No, I'm serious.

I, I mean, I've literally

never heard that line before.

So, what's the deal?

I told you, there's no deal.

Hold up.

I spill the beans about my

situation,

but you're all quiet on yours?

What do you wanna know?

That we've been together since

college,

and I've wanted to break up

since college?

That's a long time.

Should just do it.

Oh, yeah?

Wow, this coming from you.

I'm serious.

Like, why haven't you done it?

I mean, you're a guy.

Mm-hm, well, I just

haven't found the right time.

What does she do?

She runs a karate

studio.

Do you do karate too?

Absolutely, not.

She ever put them hands on

you?

What are you talking about?

Like, has she ever like

hit you with a karate hand?

I don't know.

Maybe, once.

Really?

Why, how?

Wait, this isn't funny.

I'm not saying that it

is.

Then, why are you laughing?

I'm not.

What happened?

I tried to break up

with her and she hit me.

Like a punch or a slap?

No, more like a, like a jab.

Where?

In the throat.

How did you respond to

that?

Like, what did you do?

Nothing.

Are you serious?

I maintain pacifist views.

Yeah, me too, until someone

hits me.

Have you been hit in a

relationship?

Yeah.

By your fiance?

He's not my fiance.

And no, not him.

He doesn't care that much.

Yeah, but for one minute,

you thought he was

coming in here to f*ck me up.

And I was wrong.

How did you and Chuck Norris

meet anyway?

She doesn't seem like your type,

with your, you know,

nonviolent peacefulness.

Okay, okay.

Um.

I was DJing a set at

homecoming, that's where we met.

And then she demanded a song for

me,

and then she asked me out.

Which song?

"Holding My Hand."

Hootie & the Blowfish.

I cannot imagine you as a DJ.

Well, I was one for like

six years, and I was a dancer.

A dancer? - Mm-hm.

Really?

No, mm-mm.

So a B-boy who likes Hootie &

the Blowfish.

No, who said I liked them?

Well, you knew who they

were when she requested it.

Yeah, because everybody knows

them,

and everybody knows that song.

Nah, I can't see it.

You have a name?

A DJ name? - Mm-hm.

Yeah.

Prof B.

Like, Professor B?

No, like, Profound b*stard.

Like, did you,

that was the, that was

the best you could do?

That is a horrible name.

How did you even come up with

that?

That's so whack.

Like.

Wait, Wu-Tang Name Generator.

Oh, my God, oh, my God.

I can totally see you walking

around campus

with like, your headphones on

your neck.

b*stard is kind of harsh,

so did you try any other

variations of your name?

Yeah, it was either that or

Lucky Genius.

Oh, yeah, no.

Lucky Genius is not very B-boy.

But taken literally,

you are more of a lucky

genius than a profound b*stard.

I mean, you seem super smart.

Oh, okay, but I'm not very

lucky.

Did your parents get married?

Yeah.

Well, see, it's hard

to see the b*stard part.

And you don't seem like

someone who's unprincipled

or, like, a scoundrel or

something.

Well, what about this?

Really?

So I guess, I'm an

unprincipled scoundrel too.

Look, I didn't meet you at

church.

Oh, okay.

You got jokes.

I got it, okay.

Mm-hm, yeah.

All right.

All right, so how did you and,

and Mr. Michael Jordan meet?

He's a football player.

So?

You don't know any

football players for reference?

Um, Joe Montana.

He needed a tutor for Spanish.

And?

And that's it.

He couldn't resist me.

Yeah, okay. - Mm-hmm.

That's right.

No, he was just really sweet.

And that's all I really need,

like, be nice and be about me.

Well then, what happened?

He stopped being nice, and

he stopped being about me.

I guess I thought that

it would be different

when he got to the league,

or at least, like, stay the same.

First year of law school,

we were supposed to

go to the Barrister's Ball.

And I got a dress and shoes.

Wait, uh, Barrister's?

Oh, it's like a, a winter

formal, but for law students.

Anyway, the NFL season was over,

and he promised that we would

go.

So like a, like a, a

prom but for lawyers?

Yeah, yeah.

So, so how's it different?

You know, I really don't know,

because I've never been to a

prom.

So look, we confirm a

pickup time and I rent a limo.

And what does this fool do?

He doesn't show up? - Exactly.

I actually waited on him for two

hours.

Well, did you go by yourself?

By myself?

Of course, not.

So lemme get this straight.

You've never been to a prom.

Mm-mm.

Really, why not?

No one ever asked me.

Oh, I find that hard to

believe.

It's true.

Okay.

So, but never like, you know,

like a homecoming dance,

or like, you know, like

a winter formal or like.

No, nothing.

Oh, that's

probably why you can't dance.

I can too dance.

No, no, no, you can't dance.

Well, you can't slow dance.

You don't know that.

I mean, if you've never

been to a formal dance,

then it's impossible to

know how to slow dance.

Oh, stop, stop it.

Come on.

Come on, what?

Well, you, we were gonna

be slick here for a while.

I mean, you did me a solid

by not sending me out into,

you know, the police stand off,

so I'm gonna teach you how to

slow dance.

No.

Asha, may I have this dance?

You are so silly.

My gosh.

We don't even have any music.

Come on, DJ. - I'm coming.

Boom.

No, hell, no.

Music, cool, got it.

I mean, I have been to a dance,

but I know we can't dance today.

I mean, they be this song be

k*lling it.

Okay, yeah. - I'm telling you.

Wow. - See?

It's okay. - That's better.

It's okay. - No, it's better.

Yeah, it'll work.

No. - It'll work.

Oh, wait minute, I have

something.

Come on.

I've made a bad habit

Now, prepared to be amazed.

Oh, okay, wait.

Whoa.

Was that it?

No.

You turn off those lights

amazingly.

That's it, right? - All right.

It's good. - Yeah.

I'm not gonna ask why you have a

strobe.

Yeah, don't.

All right, you ready? - Mm-

hmm.

Okay.

Mm-hm, nope.

There. - Okay.

I think there's like a

scientist reason

why your hands have to be that

way.

Okay.

Oh, okay.

Mm-hmm.

I think I got it. - You got

it?

Mm-hmm.

So we're gonna do this.

One hand goes there. - Mm-hm.

One hand goes there.

Or should I go and give this

up

Tonight

Close the tab call a cab

And head right

I'm tryna to see if your

words match your actions

And give satisfaction

Put it in action

Make me feel you in the worse

way

I wanna practice all that word

play

You sent me texting on

Wednesday night

Ooh, baby

Is it easier

For me to go and give it up

Or should I go and give this

up

Tonight

It's easier

For me to go and give it up

Or should I go and give this

up

Tonight

Your arm?

What?

Your arm?

What happened to it?

Oh, uh, nothing, I hurt it

while hiking.

Hiking?

Yeah, up Mount Diablo.

Where's that?

You're kidding, right?

Wait, no, no, no, you're from

here

and you never noticed a

huge mountain behind the hills.

I'm not into hiking.

I don't understand it.

What don't you understand? -

The purpose.

Well, it is nice to get

away for a few hours.

So, are you burning yourself

cooking overnight oats?

Ha, nah, I just, um,

I had a little slip and fall

accident.

Ouch.

What happened?

Well, it was supposed

to be a short three-mile

hike up the main summit, but.

But what?

Well, I never

go off the main trail,

but I really wanted to find

the source of this water.

Wait, water?

Yeah, yeah, no, every time I

walk past

this one spot near

Devil's Pulpit, I hear water.

But you can't see any from the

trail,

so, you know, I figure it

must be in the valley below.

So you go off the trail?

Mm-hm, I figured I would

investigate.

Go off the trail just once.

And the first few feet are

pretty level,

and it's pretty easy to find

your foot in,

so first few yards down are

pretty chill.

And because of spring,

I'm, I'm walking through

all this thick, lush foliage,

pine trees, elderberry bushes,

and all these colorful

wildflowers.

Like, way more than

you would see on the trail.

Sounds pretty. - Yeah.

Yeah.

And the more I walk,

the more relaxed I get.

Like, the air is cooler and I

can,

I can really hear the water now,

but as I walk a few more feet,

I notice that the terrain

changes a little.

I can see the water,

but the hillside is gone with

like a,

a 90% grade going down.

So, I turned back to the

trail

and everything in my gut

is telling me to go back.

I mean, it was as clear as day,

it was as if someone

was saying, "Don't go."

So as I'm sitting there

contemplating

whether or not I can

make it the rest of the way,

like a dumb a*s, I, uh,

I see something crazy.

A pack of wild

turkeys jump out

of a nearby tree, one by one.

Yo, and as these turkeys

are jumping outta the tree,

they walk up to the edge

and run down the ravine toward

the water.

So now I'm thinking, "Well,

that's it, I'm doing this too."

So, I started scaling

down the hillside, carefully,

and immediately, I'm nervous.

The ground is slippery

and it, it feels almost vertical.

With every step, tiny and medium

rocks

tumble hundreds of feet

down toward the water.

And as I'm watching these rocks

jumping,

skip their way to the bottom,

I, I see the last of the

turkeys jumping into the water.

I mean, it was weird.

But then right at the moment, I

slip,

and I slide down that hill so

fast,

it feels like I'm being pulled,

and I'm hitting all sorts of

plants,

and, and bushes on the way down.

I'd try to grab something

to hold onto anything,

but I'm falling too fast

and it feels like I'm

falling for, like, an hour.

But then just like that,

I hit the bottom.

And for a while I didn't move.

I was a few inches from the

water

and I couldn't even turn to see

it.

But I could feel it though and

smell it,

the coolness and the,

and the moisture, and,

and for a while I just, that was

it,

the sound of the water,

the, the blue sky above me,

and the, the dirt beneath my

hands.

And I felt, like, I was a part

of it,

the dirt and the earth.

And maybe, just maybe I,

I wouldn't make it back up.

But like, maybe, maybe I

didn't wanna make it back up,

you know, like, maybe,

I mean, it's the weight,

the, the sheer weight of it.

It's a lot, you know?

I mean, would anyone

know that, or, or care,

you know, like the, the burden

and, and, and the weight.

The weight, the weight,

the weight, the weight.

The weight is, it's, it's, it's

a lot.

It, it, it's heavy and it's,

it's like.

Would anyone care about, about

what?

Hey, are you okay?

No, yeah, no, I'm, I'm okay.

I'm, I'm, I'm sorry, I'm sorry.

It's, it's, the weed, is all in

the,

and then I'm, I got a little

involved in the story, um.

And you know, I, I got a little

caught up with myself, um.

So that whole experience on

the mountain

didn't make you believe in God a

little?

Uh.

No.

You're telling me you didn't

say a prayer

when you were on that ground?

I mean, I did.

I'd admit that, but it

was a force of habit.

So?

So, I knew it wouldn't

work and it didn't.

What do you mean?

You're alive.

Okay, but you do believe in

fate, right?

Sure.

I mean, there's an order to the

universe,

and because of that,

things move accordingly,

but not in everything's

possible in Jesus, sort of way.

Why?

I don't know.

I've been praying for change

recently,

like something, anything, you

know.

And tonight's been interesting.

That's all.

Well, I don't know if I

can be a part of something

that answers a prayer.

Tell me something then,

why me?

You go to the club with your

boys,

and you can have an

adulterous one night stand

with anyone in the club, but you

choose me.

That, or this

here was not part of my plan.

I mean, I, I didn't really

wanna go out in the first place.

But when I saw you,

I don't know, this is

gonna sound a little corny,

but it felt like there was an

energy drawing me towards you.

That does sound corny.

No, I'm serious.

I mean, I, I just wanted to say

hi to you,

like maybe that could make my

week better,

and your smile looked

like you could do that.

And when we started

talking, it just felt right.

Like I've always known you.

Why'd you respond?

Didn't seem like you

were trying to pick me up.

'Cause I wasn't.

You seemed

really eager to listen to me,

which I haven't had in a while.

When you asked me to come back

with you,

it didn't feel bad.

I didn't feel bad when I

asked.

Even though

it was maybe a little bit,

I mean, figuring that we just

met.

I felt like I had known you

for a while.

Yeah, me too.

Uh, it was probably

just the alcohol though.

Although, you're completely

not my type,

I'd date you in another life.

Oh, okay.

Well, here I was thinking I

had a shot at this lifetime,

but, oh, well.

Yeah, oh, well.

Well, you know what, you

are a really sweet person.

Thank you.

And a really great painter.

You're just saying that.

No, no, I'm serious.

I mean, I don't know how

you can work a lawyer job,

and complete so many pieces.

My art is what I really enjoy.

Plus, I'm, I'm not

really working right now.

Really?

Well, how can you afford

such a beautiful spot?

Your, your mom and

your pops helping you out?

I'm studying for the bar

again, and once I pass,

I'll have a few different

job opportunities.

Well, did one of

these jobs give you in advance?

Because I'm looking for

places to, you know, move out,

but everything is hella

expensive.

What's the rent like in the

spot?

He pays for it.

Hassan.

He pays for the spot.

Your boyfriend, really?

Yo, where does he

live?

In the city.

Really?

He pays for a spot in San

Francisco,

but then also pays your rent in

Oakland.

Your point?

No, I mean, it's just

fascinating.

You know, y'all been

together for some years,

why don't you just live

together?

He says it's because

of his training schedule.

Training?

Yeah, what does that

have to do with anything?

You know, I, I really think

you should leave this guy now.

At first I felt bad for you,

but now I'm thinking

you're stringing him along.

f*ck off.

He clearly wants to

marry you.

First, f*ck you,

really.

Secondly, he doesn't wanna marry

me.

He wants to control me

and protect his little image.

You sit there all judgy

in your flannel shirt

like, you know sh*t.

You said yourself,

you and your girlfriend

have a housing arrangement.

- It must be nice.

- I am looking for a place.

I said that things are

just expensive right now.

Mm, sounds real convenient for

you.

At least, I'm paying

something.

So that's the threshold, pay

something?

Trust me, she's just a crutch.

It may be financial or emotional

or both,

but she is just a crutch.

You said you don't love him,

right?

Well, just don't stay for the

money.

You're super sweet and

you don't deserve that.

You deserve better.

I deserve better?

You can't tell me what I

deserve.

You don't know me and

you don't know my life.

Hey, I'm sorry, I'm, I'm

overstepping my boundaries.

My boyfriend, ex-boyfriend,

whatever, pays for my place,

so f*cking what?

You sit there so afraid of your

own shadow,

that you're living a shell of a

life.

Your girlfriend whoops

your a*s and you just take it.

I'm content with my life.

Are you, really?

Because I've listened to you all

night

and I can't identify one

f*cking decision you've made.

You wrote a book, but

you're too afraid to send it out.

You plan to enroll in grad

school, but nothing yet.

And you've been planning

to leave your girlfriend

for five years, but just

haven't found the right time.

Lemme tell you something,

it has nothing to do with timing

and everything to do with fear.

I'm fighting to figure out

my situation and I will,

while you, you just judge.

I said I'm sorry.

No, you are just like everyone

else.

You got it all figured out,

but you're all f*cked up at the

same time.

You know, I don't always say

what I feel,

but you're right about

everything.

I mean, I wanna do all of those

things,

but I guess, like you

said, I'm just a coward.

But you are super sweet and

honest,

but you are with a messed

up guy and that is not fair.

I feel like someone who is as

kind as you

deserves to be full on all the

way happy.

Now, me.

That's it, this is my lot in

life.

I mean, I'm not complaining

or nothing, you know,

all my needs are met and, and

I'm happy,

Dude, k*ll that, "I'm happy

bit."

It's okay to want more.

We all gotta grow, right?

You're right.

I guess I'm not sure how to

grow.

In fact, I didn't even

know I needed to until now.

Just f*cking do it.

Like, make a decision and

then act on the sh*t.

Like, who cares if you're wrong,

you know?

Insightful.

Thank you for your, your kind

words.

I'm good at giving advice,

but pretty bad at taking it.

You know, earlier, you said,

uh,

you were praying for change.

You know, I'm not praying or

nothing,

but I am reciting my

affirmations about changing my life

and, and bringing in new energy.

So in other words, you've been

praying?

No, no, not praying,

just saying affirmations

to no one in particular.

So leave and do what?

Hmm?

You said I should leave,

right?

What do you suggest?

You don't like being alone,

right?

Well, neither do I.

I don't like to be alone, but

I am.

And so are you.

What are you saying?

I'm saying maybe

you should leave this guy

and maybe we should.

So, how do you know

if leaving is the right

thing or a selfish act?

Do you care about

her, like, about her future?

No, not really.

Exactly.

Hassan and I have known

each other for a very long time,

and if he got a new girlfriend,

which he's had several

since we've been together,

I wouldn't even care.

Like, if he got married to

someone else, even better.

Good for him.

But at one point, you

thought he was the one, right?

Look, there's nothing here for

him.

I mean, even like with this

place, I mean, he pays for it,

but there's nothing

from him or for him here.

When we first got together,

I just wanted his time.

Like, I would go to his dorm

room and leave random stuff

just to make sure I would see

him again.

But now I don't, I don't care.

Like, like clothes?

Clothes, socks, Bible,

whatever.

That's, that's too funny.

I mean, that's what

you're supposed to do.

Like, you leave pieces of

yourself with people that you love

or people you wanna love.

Hmm.

Yeah, I, I guess.

Just think about it.

I'm sure your girl left

hella stuff at your place

when you first met.

I mean, even with your teacher,

like he did that exact thing

when he gave you his

copy of the "Wretched."

You guys were close, right?

Uh, yeah, but that was

different.

He gave me this book as a gift.

Wait, you really have

never left something

at someone's place before?

I mean, maybe trash,

but only an accident,

never on purpose.

Strange.

Wait, stop.

Freeze. - What was that?

No, I don't know.

Well, go look.

No, you go look.

Well, what should I do?

I don't know.

You want me to go out

there and open up the door?

Yes, yes.

Go, go. - Okay, okay, okay.

You want me to open it?

Open it and see what's

going on?

I am, okay, fine.

Oh, my God.

You're free to go now.

That's it?

Yeah, yeah, that's it.

Everyone's gone.

Everyone?

Wow.

That is so weird.

Yeah, yeah, it is.

We made it.

Yeah.

We most certainly did.

Weird.

So, uh.

Yeah, no, I, I, I was thinking,

you know, when,

when we were dancing, um.

Yeah.

That. - One second.

Oh, sure.

You okay? - Yeah.

Uh, yeah, I, I was thinking too,

um.

Yeah.

Yeah.

It seemed like, um.

Yeah, we. - Uh.

I think it might be.

Yeah, I get it, I get it.

Okay.

Okay.

You know. - I think you should

leave.

Yeah, definitely.

No, I got it, got it, don't

worry about it.

What took you so long?

It's a big a*s hell.

Okay.

I think you left something.

Thank you. - Mm-hm.

You look good. - Thank you.

So do you.

So you gonna show me the spot.

Come on. - Okay.

Come on.

Okay. - You okay?

You know I just gotta...

You gonna make it?

Stretch it out.

You told me that you

love hiking.