“Chill, dude,” Mario said to Pax. “There’s no rush. I can wait.”

“You’ll listen to your friend and that skanky bitch if you know what’s good for you,” Kip said.

“Don’t call her that,” Pax said, putting out his cigarette on the control panel. The smell of tobacco and melted plexiglass filled the air.

“O.K., if you’re so good, why don’t you prove it?” Kip said, stepping away from the machine.

Mario was close to beating his previous high score, but Kip grew tired of waiting. “That’s it. My turn – get out of the way, loser!” Kip shoved Mario away from the machine, reaching back inside his jacket for more coins.

“You can’t do that, penis-breath. We’ll get Charlie. He’ll kick you out!” Pauline yelled.

“I’m telling you, Mario. You’d better shut that butt-ugly bitch up before I kick your ass and hers,” Kip said.

Pauline was beyond furious when she raised her hot pink umbrella in the air. She brought it down on Kip’s head again and again.