“Ok, let’s be like…Hackney hard boys, yeah?” Omar says, slowing his pace.

“I knew we shouldn’t have banged out the whole season of Big Boy in one night” says Reggae.

“Come on bruuuuv…“

“Right, right, ok…so how izit bruv, all dem clowns in the States be taking horse worming pills to fight off COVID? Makes about as much sense as bathing in pea soup for erectile dysfunction.“

“‘Cause of socials, blood. ‘cause they don’t get out enough, get too much of their reality online. They need to mix up their company more.”

Reggae’s wearing an unconvinced pout. Omar continues.

“Seriously. Like…like you know how you say no one has made a good tune since Ozzy left Black Sabbath…“

“Truth man, but you weren’t interested in no choons written before ‘79 ‘til I played you Dark Side of the Moon.”

Omar is holding a “hold on” hand up.

“Ain’t disagreeing bruv, in fact that’s exactly what I’m saying. You play me Pink Floyd on a school camp up the Akatarawas, I take you to see Shihad at Bodega. We both gone an’ expanded each other’s realities.”

Reggae lifts an uncertain eyebrow.

“Serious, variety of lived experience, that’s what protects us from ignorance. “

Reggae gives a relenting nod. 

“Like that time You and Lei snorted them horse tranquilisers ‘cause Danni said it unlocks your third-eye chakra?”

“Ok ok, so yoof is the wellspring of both bravado and stupidity, yeah?”

“You hear Danni reckons Lei be coming back bruv? Said his grandma died last…”

Reggae slows suddenly, lifts something up from the gutter.

“Ok, so that’s weird right? Why the fuck is this here?”

He holds up a dirty black plastic zip tie. 

Omar leans closer.

“Yeah, maybe leave it there man…”

Reggae suddenly flings the tie up into the bush.

“Oh shit, that could have been evidence!” says Omar.

“Evidence we’ve been watching too much crime drama over lockdown bro. The tie was probably just holding up some Aunty’s tomato plant or something.”

“Do you see any tomato plants on this roadside? Only house ‘round here is old man Monvoison’s.”

Reggae picks up the pace, shaking his head.

Omar glances up to the house on the hill, then follows Reggae towards the skyline.

“I’d looove to catch up with Lei again, blood.”