Andy! I need to be here for a bit. Could you get me a mojito? I'm just thirsty for something liberating and delicious. Thank you so much!

Sorry. That's my friend Andy. He's so fun. He's a stylist. He's just distant and intimidating around people he doesn't know. He's actually totally nice once you get to know him. So you haven't been drinking, so you probably aren't going out as much. That's probably why I haven't seen you. You have all your sober friends and support groups and stuff. You know, I have a confession. I hate rigidity. My friend Adam just wrote the most interesting well-researched piece in the New Yorker about AA. How the whole sobriety culture can be like worse than alcoholism. No, seriously, in some cases. But no, I know, you were really a different scenario. It's different for some people, like you, who needed it, since it's something organized.

I mean it just made sense, because the last time I saw you, you were kind of. . . well, you were sort of. . . well it just looked like maybe you were beginning to see the shape of the problem. The Void.

When was it I saw you? Oh I know, it was at yoga class last winter. Are you . . . um . . . not going anymore? Ooh! That's right! You injured your neck! Ow! Ow! Yeah, I think Greta told me that someone told her about that noticeable swelling thing you had. It looks like it's kind of—no, I mean, it's not swollen, it's just puffy. It could just be the overhead lighting. Huh. It's just so important to put padding under your neck for "shoulder stand." I always thought you were kind of doing it wrong.

You know, just get it looked at. I mean, I'm sure it's nothing. But you should get it looked at. Yeah.

Hm? No, I don't go to yoga anymore. Actually I practice Pookalan now. It's an ancient mystical health practice that's only known to like fifteen people in New York.

It's sort of the source to a lot of Westernized, tainted traditions. It's sort of hard to explain but it's about release from delusions. You know, not being so caught up in busy lifestyles and superficial "party" yoga. It's about not being "out there," but being "in here." I'm "in here" now. But you've kind of always gravitated to Western modalities or been in extensive therapy so you probably are more Western. And, remember, you're a Weeshta. Weeshtas are very Western, steeped in Western oils. "Supersized," you know? It's exciting.

Debra! Debra! Hey Deb! How are you? I know! Let's blow this joint! This party is so dying down we have to get outta here! Did you see Andy? He's right over there . . .