Sure I’ll have another. I’ll walk it off. Man, three beers: I am really feeling it. How do you get so drunk off three beers? By not eating supper, my good man, that’s how. Last thing I ate was a croissant from Banner’s. This afternoon. Oh I also had two shots of whiskey at some point. Oops. Hey they were free.

We circlejerk about politics. Lee Atwater? Heard of him? You heard of that FUCK? Ruined the political process.

FOREVER.

“Hey you about ready? Wanna walk to your car?” Joey had probably eaten which is why he thought I was fine too.

“Yeah might as well, time to leave.” It was getting late. Gotta go with it now. I’ve done this before. I stagger up, secretly of course so Joey doesn't know this is a bad idea. The car's a few blocks away though: I should be fine. It was good to see him again.

Alcohol's not like other drugs. You can deny its force and that sometimes works. That's what I'm doing now. I'm walking by myself. Where's Joey? Did we say goodbye?

Behind the wheel. I blink in slow motion. Lights swirl in double and triple, like some jester's glazed game: which one is real? Whew! Hey the police. Pulling somebody over. Good. Streets slide by like an old grainy home movie from the 60s: Granville, Prescott, Ogden, Hudson. None of mine. I rely on my mind's map. Just watch the speed and the lines on the road and we'll be home soon. I flick on my headlights. I am making ramen when I get home.

This is dangerous. This is trouble. ONLY one more mile. I blink at a stoplight. It's green, go. This is drunk driving, I think in a fogged haze. I deny it. Not me. Homeless man shoving a rusted cart, locked wheels protesting in pain. I am really good at drugs. Howard Zinn: you ever read him? Check his stuff out, man. Only 10:30. She's probably sleeping. She leave a light on for me? Hey I know this intersection!