before going in i told the guys to hold off, wait out here for me ’til they got my signal…and that’s the plan. wait for me to flush him out, make sure no one wanders by. when i get inside, ’s like another world…walls are exploding with graffiti, place stinks, two bulbs burnt out. some old dude curled up, asleep in a corner, and our friend’s legs, i spot, patiently sitting in a stall, waiting, and not a care in this world, i slip into the booth next to his, start fumbling with my belt, this, that, and like clockwork, this guy’s hand comes up under my side of the partition, his signal, pink fingers, wiggling up at me. imploring, i notice this thin gold band on his little finger, catching the light. (BEAT) so, i lay my open palm in his and two minutes later we’re standing near the mirrors—big pieces of stainless steel, really—standing, and sizing each other up. small talk. name’s “chet,” he says, and i don’t even bat an eyelash as he moves in, his lips playing across my cheek, let his tongue run along my teeth and a hand, free hand, tracing down my fly…i just smile at him, smile and even lick his chin for a second, for a single second, i see his shoulders relax. then i whistle, i let out a whistle that sends him stumbling back, blinking, and kind of waving his hands in the air as tim and dave appear in the doorway, he looks at them, looks and comes back from his fantasies long enough to touch down on earth, a flicker in his eyes, realizing no good can come from this…and starts babbling, this guy, “chet,” probably a vp some bank on park avenue, and he’s babbling and wetting himself like an infant, i don’t remember exactly, but i think he even got on his knees, down on his knees and the pleading, begging. (BEAT) my first shot catches him against the cheek, just under the eye and he slams into a sink. all snot and blood running down. with so many of us hitting, tearing at him, it’s hard to get off a clean punch but i know i connect a few more times, i feel his head, the back of it, softening as we go, but i just find a new spot and move on. tim kicking him long after he’s blacked out…

pause.