“This is Rock Bottom, Fella. Not Everyone Gets Here, You Know,” She told me, Encouraging me to Savor It. “Nobody Gets to Be This Miserable Without Making a Few Friends You Know… So Stay Vigilant. It Can Sneak Up On You.” “What’s That?” I asked.

“We worked hard to get here. This is the absolute bottom of the world, partner. We had to really put in the hours to get here. You think this happens every day?”

“I guess you’re right,” I admitted. We were something special. “I know not everyone achieves this level of utter despair and alienation. We really have done something, I get it.”

“And we did it together. That’s the important thing. We are lost and alone. All of us, completely terrified and anxious and on the verge of panick with only inklings of light peaking in. And I honestly couldn’t have done it on my own.”

“So it’s important to make the most of it, right? Yeah. I repeat, nobody gets to be this miserable without making a few friends. So watch your back. Cause next thing you know…”

“That paranoia again? You’re always on that, even when we had it good. Always guarding your heart. That’s what I love about you.”

“And I wish you wouldn’t. It terrifies me.”

“But you’re right… when we least expect it… and after we’ve gotten so far… something good could happen. I can’t even imagine it. You’re right, it gives you the chills. We’ve got to stay on our toes.”

“And count your miseries while you have them. Every day is a curse.”

“That’s the spirit. Now let’s feed our army of opossums and pray for a cleansing rain to wash away the filth from this city, together.”

“That sounds swell.”