image by author.

utica.

“Do you recall him?”
“Naa.”
“Asher. Think that’s the name. Guy used to turn up at every party, back in college, in Utica.”
“Naa. No clue.”
“Had the exact same story every time. About his older brother. Running some business upstate. How his dear brother made it in business. And made it big time. Told the same story to everyone over and over again. Every party.”
“So what?”
“Just seen him. Far end of the bar.”
“Again. So what?”
“Don’t know. Wanna catch up with him?”
“Is he fun?”
“Well, he has this story how his brother made it big in business somewhere upstate.”
“He loaded?”
“Don’t think so.”
“Tells same story every time, huh?”
“Yeah. Very timid too.”
“Whatcha having?”
“Vodka and soda.”
“Okay. Whatever.”