Leopard

You and your best friend were sitting here at three in the morning, the party having died down, leaving behind only a ringing in your ears and two of the most persistent ones.

“Listen, Bars,” you said, feeling courage splashing through your blood along with the alcohol. “Let’s get drunk... Let’s get really drunk and sit across from each other... excited.” Bars choked on his beer, his eyes wide, but you continued: “You get what I mean, right? I mean... on edge... On adrenaline. So that it sparks. We’ll sit and just look at each other. Who’ll be the first to give in and pounce on one of us? It’s a test. A test of strength. To see if we can hold each other’s gaze for an eternity.” Bars was silent for a long time then. He looked at you, tracing a wet spot on the table with his finger. And then he nodded:

• Okay. Just no nonsense.

And you started.