Complete stillness. Hirlem's stare is directed at the floor. Monie stares at the letter "L". The temperature's rising. It must be the heat emanating from everyone. Then one of the men decides to stretch his neck. His head moves in acircular motion. His neck cracks. Another man coughs. Hirlem decides to to glance at Monie, finding her already looking at him from the far corner. It's not like her to have that look in her eyes. Out of the corner of his eye, he notices on of the men has turned around and is facing him. Throught the thick air, Hirlem sluggishly turns his head towards the man. They meet eyes. The man smiles.
