that's the sell

(a series of micro vignettes) Chella and I are reading our analysis assignments together because that’s how we link and build. We read out loud too, because how else can you judge the flow? When my phone, lying on the table, jiggled. The caller ID read, “Tommy’s girlfriend.” Chella gave me a little look. “I never change anyone’s ID,” I confessed. “Neither do I.” Cellia agreed. “She broke up with him years ago..” I feel sorry for panhandlers, I don’t see them often but I saw one yesterday. Who carries cash any more (Noone)? Along the same line, Chella and I are wired, it-girls - we’re noise cancelled. Were you talkin’ to us? We’re hard to engage, not because we’ve got attitude - we just can’t hear you. It’s irritating when I have to tap-out of some stream to hear people. Even if it’s the waiter from the bistro downstairs delivering their exemplary frozen-strawberry-smoothies and burgers. Later, after the pool, we showered. As I was toweling my hair, I studied myself in the mirror. “My skin is SO screwed up,” I moaned, “I need a ‘rescue spa’ facial.. Let’s go to New York (city)—I’m taking you there.” “There’s a ‘Forever Young Spa’ on Beacon street.. about a mile from here,” Cellia offered. “Ever been there?” I asked. “No, but the ad says they have an AI-powered massage robot. I’m curious.” “Ooo! Call ‘em up, see if it does happy-endings.” I laughed. “We could get a home unit.” Cellia updogged. “I think we’d need the industrial version,” I added, “that’s the sell.” . . Songs for this: Nothing Can Stop Us by Saint Etienne Goodbye by The Sundays . . Our cast: Chella, A tall, lithe black girl, from Liberty City (Miami) Florida. She's a Harvard Master's candidate with a ‘Bachelor of Science in Global Affairs’ from Yale. She had it rough growing up - she was buying skin-care at Trader Joes! I'm showing her some things. Your author, a simple trust-fund baby from Athens, Georgia and a Harvard Master's candidate with a Bachelor of Science in Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry from Yale. . . Burgers = bacon cheeseburger w/tomato, sautéed onions, ketchup and fries - hold the mayo and mustard.