So . . . Terrence. Where you been keeping yourself all summer?

Same old, same old. I don't hit the clubs that much no more. Maybe "Jenny’s" every once in awhile, or "The Cave" on Sunday nights. But I gotta be to work early in the morning so I don't be hanging out like I used to.

I know I ain't been seeing you around the way much lately. And I been down here almost every day this summer.

I don't understand you, Malik. If I came from a family like yours...you wouldn't never see me around here.

Yeah, well . . . it ain’t my fault. I was supposed to spend the summer with my big brother in Cambridge, booking all the little college honeys. But my folks are so scared I'll be a bad influence on their precious Jamal — guess they think I'll get him busted again, or make him flunk out of Harvard . . . or some shit.

If I was in your shoes, the only time I'd ever see this raggedy ass neighborhood... would be when I was kicked back on my waterbed, watching the eleven o'clock news...on my color t.v.

Man, you just don't know.

. . . in my air-conditioned bedroom . . .

I ain't got it like that. It's worse than prison at my crib. I been on punishment since 1997. [TERRENCE laughs.] I'm serious. Can't do shit. I had to threaten to kill myself before they finally let me go to public school this year. Probably only gave in cause they got tired of paying good money for me to get kicked out of private schools. And ever since my last report card, they been trying to send me to some military boarding school bullshit. Can you imagine me in a fucking, all-boys school?

No. But I can imagine me in one.

. . . might as well be back in the joint. That's all money means to my parents. Control.

If they footing the bills, they can control me anytime they want. Somebody's always gonna be telling you what to do. Couldn’t be no worse than my job.

Where you working at now?

I'm still out to the mall.

Yeah? I need to stop past there and check you out.

You better do it soon, if you want me to hook you up. I'm just gonna be working part-time once school start back.

Y'all get a discount on the clothes?

The regular employees, just get 20%. But since they found out I knew computers, I been assistant manager all summer and so . . .

Oh yeah?

. . . I get a little more.

That's what I'm talking about. Let me holler at you for a minute...

[Putting his arm around TERRENCE's shoulder]

. . . Damn, I like that cologne. What's that? C.K.?

You know it. That's all I wear. That and Obsession.

Come here.

[Getting close. Turning on the charm. Sniffs his neck]

Ummmmmm. That stuff smells good as a motherfucker.

[On to him.]

Thanks.

Soooo. . . . you still talking to Xavier?

He's just somebody to chill with. It ain't like we that serious or nothing.

In that case, were you "serious" about wanting to check out the news from my air-conditioned bedroom, one of these . . . hot . . . summer nights?

Malik, don’t start —

. . . cause y'know, that can be arranged.

From what I hear, I'd probably have to stand in line.

Awwww . . . it ain't like that. Wouldn't have to be nobody but you and me. On the down low. Real private-like. I’ll give you my number. We could get to know each other better.

I think I’ve already got your number.

Aw, see there . . . don’t be so mean. C’moooon . . . I’ll let you play on my . . . laptop: massive hard drive, plenty of RAM . . .and if cyber don’t interest you, I got premium "cable" –

[Laughing.]

Long as it ain't "Pay-per-View"...