Come Together
Loneliness. It dulls our wits. It kindles delusions. It's a powerful motivator. Eavesdropping on couples who just met on line - FOUR MINUTES
Come Together
Eavesdropping on couples getting acquainted in the 7th Street Bistro
“…Yeah, so… I graduated from Cal State last June, and right now I work in the food service industry. Well, actually, Dominoes delivery. But I do have a job and a car and I could bring you pizza if you’re hungry. So, there’s that.”
“…I don’t spend much time in my apartment because I get bored. And I hardly ever invite friends over because, honestly, me and my housemates, we’re really messy. It always kind of looks like someone broke in and trashed the place. It’s a little embarrassing.”
“…I work at the 7-Eleven on Grant Street. It’s just temporary, because in the fall I’m starting classes in a writing program. I am working on a screenplay. It’s only about half-finished, but it’s good. I’m really obsessed with it. All I want to do is write and get published. I have 11 notebooks full of stuff. Maybe I could read some of it to you?”
“… I like to watch foreign films down at the Third Street Nickelodeon. You ever go there? Subtitles? You don’t like to read subtitles? Oh, okay, never mind, that’s cool.”
“…I live in a basement apartment. It’s not great, but it’s clean at least, and the plumbing works, most of the time. I read a lot, mostly science fiction. I don’t have a TV and I don’t want one. It’s all a bunch of crap, y’ know what I mean?”
“…The music I listen to is mostly blues – really old Chicago stuff like Charlie Musselwhite and Paul Butterfield. 1960s. You know their music? Yeah, I didn’t think you would, but those old guys, man, they really rocked. Why don’t we go over to my apartment and you can see what you think?”
“… If I am being truthful I have to say I haven’t read a book since high school. I remember they made us read a Tale of Two Cities. It was sooo boring. I mean I do read - I read X, Snapchat, Linked-in, Insta, Tik Tok, and other socials …just not books.”
“…I’ve never been with a guy so much younger than me, but what the hell? Might be fun, right?”
“…My girlfriend and I broke up three weeks ago. I’m not looking for a commitment right now, just a little fun, that’s all, really. So…”
“…I am totally into Indie music. My most favorite bands are The Interrupters and Game Time. No, I don’t know anything about classical music. You mean like, what? Mozart? Isn’t that music sort of for old people?
“… I don’t know what else to tell you, except that I’m a nice guy. I don’t smoke and I don’t use drugs. I used to, but not anymore. I am 23 and this is my dog, Bruiser. He’s a pit bull. You like dogs?”
“…I go out to Caffè Rio a lot, it’s just down the street and they have an open mic and you never know whose gonna show up there. It’s really nuts. I sing there sometimes. We should go, maybe?”
“How old did you say you were? Because you look a lot younger than you do in your photo. You really don’t look 21 at all…”
“…I’m not into fooling around. I’m looking for somebody to love. If you’re looking for somebody to love you, I might be your guy. Ha ha ha!”
“I’ll have a flat, dark-roast, half-caff soy latte. I’m vegan, by the way. Did I tell you I was vegan? Oh, yeah, I guess did. Twice? Oh, okay.”
“I didn’t go to college. I left home when I was 17 and I had to get a job right away. I spend a lot of time at Sal’s gym over on Bush Street. Kick boxing. I’m not sure what I want to do with my life; I don’t have any plans yet. I’m only 19. I’ll probably figure it out pretty soon.”
“I’ve been reading War and Peace. You ever read it? Good book. It’s about Russia.”
“ The guys I hang out with most of the time are Jose Cuervo, Jim Beam, and Jack Daniels. Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha. Just kidding.”
click 3 times: Come Together (1969) Beatles.
You're wicked ... And I love it!
A shoutout for Musselwhite and Butterfield. Great!