* 𝐋𝐎𝐕𝐄 𝐈𝐍𝐂𝐀𝐑𝐍𝐀𝐓𝐄.

if you ain't man enough to do it for yourself, i'd be happy to oblige.

what the hell you doing in that getup?

i thought i'd say goodbye to you.

what i got to stay around here for? i got places to go.

that's real nice, honey.

you look real nice, lover boy. real nice.

you'll be the best-looking one there.

i only get carsick on boats. but it seems to me that's more the fish smell than the bouncing.

do you love me?

you're better than the rest. you're better than any of them. you're better than all of them.

what's your ideal in a man?

that's my remedy for insomnia.

i'm new here in town.

you sure are a pretty lady.

why, you ought to be ashamed of yourself.

come on, baby.

they got you all gussied up.

i was talking to the dog.

please, you're annoying me. don't start up again.

bow wow wow, baby.

just you and me, catch an early supper.

i can stay all night.

how about a kiss?

do you think god is dead?

i sure have enjoyed being here. this is as fine a time as i've ever had in my life.

the way you make me feel so at home, i almost hate to bring up business.

person's got to make a living.

sorry. my mind isn't all here.

listen, sweetie, run along.

we'll get in touch with each other real soon.

you know, that's a funny thing, you mentioning money. 'cause i was just about to ask you for some.

who the hell do you think you're dealing with?

i could kill you with my bare hands.

guy gets horny just looking at you.

that is one hell of a shirt. i'll bet you paid a pretty price for it.

oh, kiss it, ratso.

you really know the ropes. i wish i'd bumped into you before.

bartender, drinks all around. one for my friend here, too.

you don't want to be stupid.

hey! i'm walking here!

up yours, you son of a bitch.

you don't talk to me that way.

just name your cut. whatever you want, you got it right now.

come on in. let me take a look at you.

good strong back. you're going to need it.

i'll bet you're lonesome.

lonesomeness is something you take, and you go right on with your work.

there's your strength, son. you've got the way of putting things earthy so that anybody can understand them.

you're wonderful, boy. you and me, we're going to have fun together.

i've prayed on the streets. i've prayed in the saloons. i've prayed in the toilets. it don't matter where, so long as he gets that prayer.

just open your heart and let it flow, like the river.

don't be frightened, son.

there's a tv dinner in the fridge.

i think that's sick, dressing up a dog to look like a child.

you're special. give yourself special treatment.

what do you want more than anything in the world?

take it easy, but take it.

looks like you've been locked out of your room, buddy.

you know what you got to do, cowboy.

i'm awful damn sorry that you're sick.

you're going to have to give me that money like you said.

don't take my watch. please. don't take it.

i'm going to strangle you to death.

i swear on my mother's eyes.

come on. i want you to have it.

what did you do, slobber on it?

you just keep your damn mouth shut about that night.

what am i doing talking to you?

come near me, i'll snatch you bald-headed.

it keeps the punks and the creeps out.

you're the only one who knows about it.

i don't need any help from you.

why don't you take a nap?

the smart thing for me to do is haul my ass out of here.

you're after something. what are you after?

what's that supposed to mean?

you want me to stay here tonight.

hope you know what you're in for.

i'm a truly dangerous person, i am.

sometimes you make me want to puke.

didn't i tell you once before to keep away from here?

the two basic items necessary to sustain life are sunshine and coconut milk.

starting tomorrow, you'll cook your own goddamn dinner.

i got to get out of here.

behind your back, i seen them laughing.

that's a matter i only talk about at confession.

you're beginning to smell.

i ain't never seen you change your underwear the whole time i've been here. and that's pretty peculiar behavior.

i bet you ain't ever been laid.

i like the way i look. it makes me feel good.

only one thing i ever been good for is loving.

you're pretty damn good at that. you could make a living at it if you tried.

don't rush me, boy.

there you are, you handsome devil, you.

i'll give you five for it.

there you go, boy. there's money for you.

friend i once did a favor for give it to me.

you stole that damn thing, didn't you?

i stoled it for you.

i'll be goddamned if i'll wear it.

like, sometimes, uh, your spirit goes up. sometimes it goes, uh... goes other places.

now you're talking priest talk.

i hope i don't come back in your body.

i'm usually a very calm and collected person.

what, you want me to get lost so you can go to your facy-ass party?

you're sweating all over the damn place.

come here. you got a comb on you?

a few dozen cooties ain't gonna kill me.

i love everything in the theatre. i would like to die on the stage.

wackos. they'll all wackos.

like heroin. death's like heroin.

i got to sit down. i feel crummy.

i don't even know your name. i want to know your name.

you can bet your bottom dollar on that.

things might work out better.

you're cheating. teasing me so i can't think.

you want some soup?

don't get sore or anything, ok?

take it easy. i'm going to lay you down.

you're sick, boy. you need a damn doctor.

you're really dumb.

just when things are going right for me, you got to pull a stunt like this.

we all have our off days.

i'd consider it a privilege if you'd have dinner with me.

you're a nice person.

oh, god, i loathe life.

take it. i want you to have it. you don't have to be a catholic.

saint christopher's the patron saint of all travelers.

you want a busted skull?

you got blood on your jacket.

my leg hurts, my butt hurts, my chest hurts, my face hurts.

you just took a little rest stop that wasn't on schedule.

let me put you up here.

it's something they had in common, albeit with significant differences in career choice. she can't help but reflect on those choices these days; why they were made, the subsequent consequences, their fateful meeting prior to reconvening in the city of dreams. regret is a bitter drink, acrid like stomach acid, and one she's decided to forgo these days. everything that has happened has been a choice she had made somewhere along the way.

everything. eventually, there was no one to blame at the end of the day but herself.

the earnestness gifted in this moment is enough to shatter the facade of her own icy heart. no scrutinizing gaze cropping up in defense to cut across other's countenance, but instead a look made soft and receptive, her brows dipping inward as if there were a genuine concern. mia vita; her throat constricts. you too live in the very atrium of my heart, despite it being less than hospitable at times. their foreheads meet and she squeezes her eyes shut in the moment.

she  hates  the  idea  that  they're  on  a  timer  -  outrunning  the  relic  inside  valeriya's  head,  making  time  for  themselves  in  between  visits  and  would-be  monologues  from  the  invisible  rockerboy  she'd  once  sat  on  a  rather  tall  pedestal.  she  wants  a  semblance  of  normalcy,  of  time  to  breathe;  not  for  herself,  but  for  her  counterpart.  for  the  other  half  of  her  living,  breathing,  bleeding  heart.  eliza's  words  are  spoken  breathlessly,  earnestly  -  with  no  ulterior  motives,  no  blind  nor  blunt  expectations  of  empty  reciprocation.  it's  all  true  -  painfully  so,  or  she  would  never  speak  otherwise.

she's  happy  enough  with  the  embrace  -  the  silence  that  lays  between  them  like  an  orphaned  fawn,  tired  and  desperately  searching  for  reprieve.  it's  only  when  valeriya's  tongue  expresses  such  a  sweet,  honest  sentiment  ...  eliza  feels  the  blood  rushing  to  her  cheeks  as  the  other  woman  holds  her  face  stagnant.  she’s  frozen.  a  deer  in  headlights.  (in  reality,  it’s  always  been  there  -  always  been  known,  always  unspoken.)

it's  funny,  isn't  it?  how  she's  seen  the  night  city  legend  face  certain  death  without  batting  an  eye  -  here,  in  the  brutal  intimacy  held  between  themselves,  valeriya  looks  as  if  she  may  break  in  two  at  the  mere  admittance  of  love.  eliza  falters  in  response,  but  the  hesitation  is  not  founded  in  lack  of  reciprocity  -  it  takes  a  breath  or  two,  but  as  her  cheeks  burn  beneath  valeriya's  hands,  she  chokes  out  a  sound  something  akin  to  a  chuckle.  her  lips  break  into  a  smile,  and  she's  suddenly  brimming  with  laughter.  eliza  leans  in  to  press  a  kiss  to  every  one  of  her  beloved's  worry  lines,  lips  gentle  and  tender  with  affection  along  valeriya's  face.