- 9:00pm: Isaac takes me aside the moment we arrive at The Blue Tattoo and orders us two Alizé and tonics and two Coronas. Being the whipping boys of the night, we toast to “designated drivers” and drink up.
- 10:12pm: Mel is good and liquored up by this time, and he starts in with all his usual antics: walking up to girls on the dance floor and raising both arms to bask in his glory (or whatever the hell that gesture means); calling out things like “I’m rich, I’m single, I’m famous!” or the classic “are you down?” to random chicks passing by; and repeatedly promising to get me and my friends laid by the end of the night. As ever, I’m reminded that even though Mel’s an asshole, and he’s definitely full of shit, I can’t help but love the guy.
- 12:00am: While crossing the outer courtyard of the club with my friends, I make eye contact with a hot Asian chick with that cute, unconceited, girl-next-door look to her. Trailing my friends, I head in her general direction, notice her turn her head to acknowledge me, and I walk right on by because I’m such a goddamn walking pile of insecurities. A pussy, if you will.
- 1:53am: A drunken Carlos approaches the live percussionist who is accompanying the DJ in the trance/techno room. Carlos reaches over and pounds out a great rhythm on the bongos. He and the percussionist start dueling from opposite ends of the drums.
- 2:20am: While eating burritos at Iguana’s, Calvin—the so-called “7th Street Crip,” according to Mel—conspicuously turns around in his seat to check out a girl standing behind him and then takes a picture of her booty with his cell phone.
- 2:45am: From the comfort of my own car, I watch Carlos and Fish drunkenly stumble across Carlos’ driveway and head for the front door. Amused, sober, but still somehow fully satisfied, I back away and drive home.
Filed Under: Friendship, Human Condition
