Both girls look up at the tall, arched ceiling transfixed. There’s something inspiring about their newfound delight. The brunette bites her bottom lip while the blonde tilts her head from side to side scanning the area. You can see the light dancing in their eyes. The brunette whips her head, looks at me, and says, “you didn’t have to say anything, and we just knew.” There’s a moment of silence and I can’t help but smile underneath my hand. There’s acne bumps growing on my chin due to my unkempt beard. “I ate too much.” “Yeah, me too.” The blonde has purple makeup smeared across her eyes up into her forehead. Time melts off the clocks as we look through each other admiring the scene. The girls start touching hands, tracing symbols into each other’s palms. The brunette begins to recite Macbeth which makes the blonde hum pirate shandies. A pattern forms in their movements. I slow them down by asking, “when was the last time you were happy being #2?” The blonde stares at me shocked by the question and that I would dare stop them in their tracks. “Us? We’ve never been #2…I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Fair enough. I don’t have the heart to tell her they’ve both definitely been #2 at some point before. I’m still being gentle. “Being #2 isn’t so bad…I’ve been jealous of #2 before. I badly overlooked how empowering being #2 could be when I was young. Had I not known, it could’ve been much worse.” They listen so I decide to stop talking. Before someone wants to try something, I stop my mental exercise. I hate being bored so I hand the brunette one of my canisters. I can’t let anything get too close. She shakes it next to her ear, lets out a little yelp, and drags the blonde with her to the next room behind the curtain. A few minutes go by and I can hear them struggling. These canisters can drag you into deep waters. “They’re going to bow out,” I think almost disappointed. There’s momentary peace, then blonde asks, “can we come back and show now?” “Sure,” I reply sluggishly. If they don’t come out just the right way, I’m not going to be very happy. I can have such an awful temper whenever things like this happen, I’m not sure why. I’m really not sure why. I get demanding. “Ok…1, 2, 3…” Both girls jump out from behind the curtain covering their faces. They shuffle over to me and joyfully ask, “now?” “Of course now.” Both their hands drop and I want to cry. Neither of them will ever be the same again. Their race to divinity now complete. Now, only now, can they face the glorious unveiling. I can barely keep my sight on them. They’re transformed before me into a masterpiece of shock. “Are you proud?”, they question with anticipation. I grab their tainted hands shaking and remain silent. I’m becoming light headed from the revelation. I’ll have to go far away from here after tonight. They say money talks, I’ll put gems on my gums. My conscience is exiled with this image. Carnal discoveries like this come with a price. Driving back to the complex with these two beauties collapsed. In the backseat twisted from the hours spent together. Finally speechless is what I am now. From just a casual night.