In the daytime things were still fine, but the night was like a horror movie. Black bar-owners closed down, fed up with watching their customers become possessed by cocaine. I would strike up friendships with people in the neighborhood. After a time I had to shed my friendly nature in order to get a good night's sleep. The new residents leave their drapes open, displaying coordinated furniture, rugs, and lamps.
Computers glare out from their front rooms.
Wealth makes a neighborhood shimmer. It also hikes the rent, making my two friends speed bumps in the race for higher returns on investments. We stroll home after caballing in the cafes. It sure is getting nice around here. Steve was silent.