Michele Feltman Strider on Nostr: Hot chocolate and hot people sound like a party to you. You agree to meet the ...

Hot chocolate and hot people sound like a party to you. You agree to meet the barista's friend. He texts them back.

You sit in silence, waiting for them to arrive. The lack of background music is oppressive.

"Canceled," explains the barista when you ask. "The services all raised their rates."

You can hear someone at the next table breathing.

One of the sorority girls starts tapping her nails.

A fluorescent light hums and buzzes.

Someone chews.

Torture.

"I can't take it," you decide.