A Story About Drugs

[edit] Wrote the following last night and totally forgot to hit “publish”.  Anyway: [/edit]

That last post was kind of cryptic, I realize.  And that’s too bad, since that was post #200.  Damn.  Way to make that one special.

And I didn’t think this would help, but I went out for a couple of drinks with some coworkers and it happened to loosen up a few cogs.  And it elicited a conversation that I realize I haven’t recounted on this blog!

This post concerns ecstasy and non-reckless use thereof.  Yes, it’s possible, if you know what you’re doing.  No, I do not recommend it for everyone.

And no, I am not an e-tard.  I think this experience is a number of years behind me.

During the conversation, one of my coworkers brought up how easy it is to converse while rolling.  This is because when you do roll, you become genuinely invested in any conversation regardless of its subject matter.  And talking about this reminded me of a specific interaction I once had while smoking a cigarette outside of my then-dorm room, and upon further recollection, revealed the contrast between what I had said and what I would have said had I been completely sober.

The comparison is interesting.

Sober

Nico: (sees girl fiddle with phone)
Girl: (offers a polite smile)
Nico: (Nods in acknowledgment)
Girl: (turns other way)
Nico: (returns to smoking and staring blankly)

Rolling (or, what actually happened)

Nico: (sees girl fiddle with phone)
Girl: (offers a polite smile)
Nico: Are you waiting for someone?  I live in this dorm, I can let you in.
Girl: Oh, no, I’m just waiting for my friend to use the bathroom.  I have to go to this damn party…
Nico: You don’t sound excited about the party.
Girl: (scoffs) I’m totally not excited.
Nico: Why?  I mean, it’s a party.  The point of those is fun, right?
Girl: (scoffs again) Ugh, I have to wake up really early tomorrow, so I don’t wanna go.
Nico: Why not just bail, then?
Girl: Because my sisters are dragging me to it.
Nico: (internal: Oh, she’s a sorority girl.) Aw, that’s lame.  Why do you have to wake up early?
Girl: I have to get my nails re-done for this brunch because my family is gonna be in town and I have to dress up and I just … don’t feel like it.
Nico: What’s wrong with your nails now?
Girl: (shows me her nails)
Nico: Oh.  Yeah, it’d be a good idea to get those done.
Girl: Oh, gee, thanks.
Nico: What? You said it yourself they need to get re-done.
Girl: (becoming reticent) Hm.
Nico: So are you going to get French tips again?
Girl: (intrigued) I was thinking about it.  How do you even know what that is?
Nico: My girlfriend had it done once.  Looks nice.  Not for everyone, though.
Girl: (lets her guard down now that she knows I have a girlfriend)  Oh.  Yeah, I just like how it looks.  But I dunno, I might just do something simple.
Nico: What time is your family meeting?
Girl: It’s brunch.
Nico: Yeah, go with something simple.  If your appointment is in the morning you want enough time for them to put on a nice top coat.  Don’t rush them or seem rushed because then they’ll do a crappy job.  Service industry, you know.
Girl: Something simple like what?
Nico: Like, a maroon, or a dark color - but not black.  Something mature, so nothing too sparkly.  It would be good to show your parents classier traditional nails, like you’re grown up.  Like college has made you more mature.
Girl: Aw, but I like pink.  I usually get pink.
Nico: Oh, pink totally works for you don’t get me wrong.  But you said you’re getting your nails done for a family gathering, and in that case it’s good to portray an air of maturity no matter how much you’d like to stay a kid.  Could be a pleasant surprise for them.  Give them that whole “my little girl is growing up!” kind of reaction, even if it is subconscious.
Girl: …So really?  You think I should get a dark color?
Nico: (nods, takes a drag on cigarette)
Girl: …are you gay or something?
Nico: What?  No, I said I have a girlfriend.
Girl: You could totally be lying.
Nico: Why would I lie?  I’m on drugs.
Girl: You’re on drugs?
Nico: (nods) I’m rolling.
Girl: (laughs loudly) No wonder!
Nico: Yeah!  I know, right?
Girl: Most guys would not even give a crap about nails!
Nico: But aren’t you glad that this one is?  At least for the time being?
Girl: Yeah, it was kind of like girl talk. (Shakes her head) You are so … interesting.
Nico: (shrugs) It’s been said before.
(her friends stumble drunkenly out of the dorm and hang on her.  She begins walking with the group and waves goodbye)
Nico: (nods head and returns to smoking while staring blankly)