Florescent glow, overpowering lights make eyes ache. Ineffectual management allowing the stupid to run free. A bargain brand haven for the drunk and insane. Watching the palpable struggle to seem on the level. The edge seems only inches away. Here's a coupon. People walk in groups of four or five. Smoke billowing tribes laughing out loud. A sign outside a gigantic porno shop, jarring, almost non-sensical against calm suburbia, reads "Blow Out Sale". Ridiculous, hideous and hilarious. People, somber, unaffected waiting for a bus, cops, neo hot rods pass by, blurring light inside lines.

A man, much colder than he should be at this time of year, having slept only six of the last 48 hours, pumps gas. A song from ten years ago - maybe more - on a continual loop through his head. Remembering. Too many thoughts at once. Always. Wind rips ice through the scene. Later. Silence thicker than bricks sits as blazing red tower lights keep slow rhythm against the black, black sky.