as if you occupy that life
you glance in the mirror on the back of the office door
you see yourself reflected there
you finish filling out your application
proofread it
you find a typo
correct it with Mr. Hewitt’s Liquid Paper
you type an X next to “French-speaking country”
trade places with Alison
when both your applications are complete
she locks the back door of the store
you share a clove cigarette in the parking lot
Alison wants Spain or Italy or Greece
bring on the Mediterranean men, she says
you’re both giddy
you can’t stop giggling
she drops the butt
grinds it into the asphalt with her shoe
you squeeze into Alison’s VW Bug
and head for Hollywood
she cruises toward Santa Monica Boulevard
you roll down your window and sing along
with Irene Cara
you are definitely dancing for your life
but can you have it all?
you tell Alison you need leg warmers
she says you need to learn to weld
she spots some women standing on a street corner
parks the car halfway down the block
you double-check your doors are locked