Hunter found Steve in the alley after looking for him everywhere. He was pacing and taking long drags off of a cigarette.

"Everything alright, Boss?" Hunter asked, warily.

"Fine," Steve said quickly, stamping out his cigarette. "Everything's fine. We ready to open?"

"Everything's not fine. What's up?"

"It's just, these past couple of weeks are not I projected. We're starting to lose money. Hardly anybody comes in any more... "

"That's just how the service industry is, Boss. Right after summer, everyone focuses in a little more and start going out less. You can't let that scare ya off now or you're gonna be fucked by January."

"But we started so strong!"

"And it'll keep getting better. It's not that bad. Let me look at the numbers with you tomorrow and maybe we can come up with some specials or promotions."

Steve gave him a grateful kiss on the cheek. "I was right: you do have so much potential."

*

LaTrice was not backing down on the door guy at The Pitstop.

"I told you, that is my real ID and you best be giving it back!" LaTrice said, trying not to get too ignorant.

"LaLa, come on," said Travell. "Let's just go."

"No, this brother is trippin'!" LaTrice returned her attention to the doorman. "Look, I understand you have a job to do or whatever, but we are close personal friends with the owners."

"No, I am the one who is close and personal with the owner," said Edward, coming up behind LaTrice and Travell from out of nowhere. "These are just a couple of my kids, Bruno, who seem to disregard the curfew at Haven."

Bruno the door guy opened the door for Edward. "Are they at least twenty-one , Mr. Curtis?"

"No," said Edward. "They most certainly are not. Good night you two. Please make it back to the shelter before curfew."

"See the problem with grown folk?" LaTrice called out to Edward, halting him in his tracks. "The trouble with y'all is you forget so easily how hard it is to be young and gay or young and trans. There ain't nowhere for us to go!"

"What LaTrice means, Mr. Curtis," Travell attempted to clarify. "Is that while we're blessed and grateful for everything you do for us at Haven, it's hard to be sociable with the sorts of people we should be meeting to better our lives when we're stuck with the same folks we see everyday at Haven."

"Plus it ain't cute and ain't nobody there pretty enough for ME!" LaTrice added.

Edward gave them both five-dollars. "Go, to Pick Me Up or Jamba or whatever. Buy yourselves a proper drink (as befits your age) get it TO GO and get to Haven before curfew. I promise, we will have this discussion with you both tomorrow." Bruno opened the door for him again. Edward turned back to them as he went in, calling out: "I was young once too. But least y'all didn't have to deal with segregation."

"Don't we?" asked LaTrice.

*

"Hi," Tristan said, leaning against the bar.

"Hey dude," said Hunter. "What can I get ya?"

"Vodka cranberry." As Hunter began to make it, Tristan asked: "Is Steve around?"

"Um, yeah, but he's busy."

"Well... I mean, can you just tell him that I'm here?"

Hunter picked up the phone and dialed back to the office. "Steve, Charlie's friend Tristan is asking for you. Uh huh. Uh Huh. ‘Kay." Hunter hung up. "He's busy."

"Are you sure? Maybe if you told him how cute I looked... ?"

Hunter put the drink in front of Tristan. "I'm sure. That'll be six dollars"

Tristan was appalled. Was he actually expected to pay for this drink? Tristan leaned closer, "Maybe we can work out an ongoing arrangement... " he whispered in Hunter's ear seductively. Hunter pushed him back gently.

"Six. Dollars."

Tristan rolled his eyes, slammed down the cash and grabbed his drink. Tristan bumped into Scott as he walked up to the bar.

"Hey," said Scott.

"Um... hey... " said Hunter.

"So... " said Scott. "What was that thing you said about second chances?"

###