There was a pipe that traveled down the wall of the apartment building.

He had discovered it when he was very little. The bend in it came just to the right of his window, where it would curve and head on down.

Late at night he would crawl out of his window and place his ear againt the pipe.

Sometimes he would only hear the rush rush rush of water blasting through, and he would imagine that he were at the ocean.

Other times a funny trick happened- he could hear the conversations in other’s apartments.

I’m leaving, you Steve! I’m sick of this! I’m taking the girls and leaving, you understand me? We’re leaving right now!

Oh, yes, baby, do that again!

So do you want to go to the Italian place or just stay at home for dinner tonight?

I’m not lending you anymore money!

Sometimes it was just sounds.

Music.

Laughing.

Crying.

Intimate sounds.

When people did not know that someone was listening in, they always had the darkest and most private conversations.