Five things painted on the van parked near the panhandle:

• NO CLASS, NO MIND, NAZI NETWORK
• 3 Ps: PROHIBITION, PIGS, PUSSY
• LARRY FLYNT FOR GOVERNOR
• EAT PUSSY, NOT COW
• YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN RETARDED

John Adams, please report to the front desk.

In the museum music room, the security guard is asleep in his chair.

This little girl is standing on the sidewalk with her arms tied behind back. Her wrists are secured with a green nylon jump rope; she is about eight. It takes me a moment to figure out that this is a game, and not some freaky form of punishment being exacted by a missing adult. Her younger sister tries unsuccessfully to feed her sunflower seeds, and then doubles over laughing when the seeds fall on the pavement. This is why kids need backyards.

Scenario: Gina has locked herself in the bathroom at the Stone Crow on West 4th.

Girlfriend: Gina! Get out here!…GINA!… I am seriously going to kick your ass if you don’t open this door… You’re freaking me out…GEEEEENNNNAAA!

Female Bar Owner: How long has she been in there?

Girlfriend: About twenty minutes?

FBO: She had too much to drink?

Girlfriend: Oh yeah.

FBO: Gina, honey. You’ve gotta unlock the door.

Girlfriend: GINA! Let. Us. In.

FBO: If you don’t unlock the door, I’m gonna have to call the police, and then they’ll have to break the door in…

Girlfriend: GINA! OPEN THE FUCKING DOOR!

(The male bartender notices what’s up and comes over to the door.)

Bartender: Her name is Gina?

Girlfriend: Yeah.

Bartender: (Adopts an incredibly soothing tone.) Gina, honey, I know you don’t feel good. If you can just reach up and unlock the door, I can come in and take care of you… Just reach up and unlock the door, and I’ll take care of everything…

Gina: Click!

Bartender: There you go.