Burning Need

Man! Sun's hot today! Blindin'. Couldn't find the RayBans under the trash. Ought ta clean up. Maybe when I get back. Prob'ly right where I left 'em.

Downtown's all nasty. Somebody ought ta clean this place up, too. I need ta score fast 'n beat feet.

“Where ya been, Billy? Ain't seen ya 'round fer awhile.” Keep walkin', dude.

That explains it. Billy's been inside. Jail don't let ya hang out downtown too much. Three hots 'n a cot's all ya got.

“Hey, Zoe! How's it hangin', girl?” Whoa! She looks like the hind legs ah hard luck. Man, turnin' 23 was hard on that chic! Prob'ly all that strippin' and shit.

Ah, there's the place! Get it and get outta here before I'm covered wid all this crap. It's like the air's full'a 'tude down here.

People even walkin' funny. They in the street! Dude told me there's cracks in the sidewalk and ya'll turn an ankle. I ain't seen no craters. Seems like a car'd do ya more damage. Assertin' a little power, I'd say.

Can't believe Mel's didn't have any. This is bull shit! Used to be you'd score anywhere. Some days just ain't worth getting' up.

Couple more tries before I chuck it.

Sixteen blocks to the 'Meat Emporium'. Word on the street they got a new load.

“What the hell! I'm 2 minutes late? That's bogus, Wally! You just screwin' wid me 'cause I borrowed some from yer sister!”

She was just wastin' it. Man! That skanky ho'd never use that stuff. She just keepin' it 'way from us what really needs it.

Two hours, seventeen minutes! Still nothin'. Maybe Joby's got a little tucked away.

Ten blocks, and Joby's “out!” What's this? It's a conspiracy! They all lookin' at me from roofs n cellar windows and laughin' their asses off! I'll fix 'em. Next time I'm fat, they kin all piss up a rope. “Ain't got any an ain't heard ah any.” That's what I'm sayin'. Some friends. Friends don't do ya like that!

“Yo! Homey!” It's a guy in a clown suit. “Look like ya seriously hurtin'.”

“Sho am. Been all over town tryin' to score. Nobody's got any. Costs too much, they say.”

“I got one little piece left, Mac. It's real dark. 'Bout 90% pure. It'll cost ya, big time.”

“That you, Joby?”

“Hell no! Who the hell's Joby?

“Sorry. I just thought.... well.... Joby knows my name's Mac.”

“Just sayin', fool. Like Buddy, Bud, Pal”. Ya buyin' or not?”

“How much? I'm a little light, dude. Check comes Wednesday.”

“Special today. One time deal. Gimme ten.”

“Deal! Here. Six ones.... and that's sixteen quarters.”

“Yo! How'd ya figger I'm Pal?”

“Lucky guess. Now, gimme that friggin' chocolate!”