#bergen_county

"Oh, I'm always into trying something out to see how it feels." A roguish grin.

Adam grins right back and puts the car in gear. "Cool."

"Whoo! You ever drive a convertible?" She rolls down her window and lets the wind whip her short curls around her face playfully.

"Not yet!" He opens all the windows. "Good?"

"Awesome! I had a scooter back home - someday I want to get a real bike though."

"Like, motorcycle or bike or electric bike?"

"Like a motorcycle, a real tiger purrin' between your legs, you know? It's funny - I'm - don't tell Dags this - but I'm kinda leery about the horses... but a machine filled with horsepower that you can control AND predict? Now THAT's what I'm talking about."

Adam takes a deep breath. "Yeah?"

"Yeah - just you and the road and the wind - now that sounds amazing."

She wrinkles up her nose with a grin. "Except for the truck stop bathrooms and greasy diner food. The road giveth, and the road taketh away..."

"Well... a car, but with the windows rolled down?"

She laughs and gives him a playful bop on the arm. "Let's find a place that does test drives sometime, get you on a chopper."

"A motorcycle place? Piper, I'm 16....."

She affects a pout. "Maaaan. In Cali you can get a license at 15 with a drivers permit." She sighs, but then grins. "Of course, with a little fuddle, anyone can be old enough. Almost enough to get me to buckle down and study my arts."

A grin. "Yeah?"

"Alllmost." She grins. "Oh, I will, but right now I got school and val-u-a-ble hangin' out time. How are things going with you? Focusing on mace practice, or more stick work these days?" All innocence there.

"I'm ok. Got time, I think. I mean... I have a part time job after school and basketball practice.... but..... I can find more time."

"Where are you working these days?"

He names a nearby sportings good store.

"Oh, great! I bet you can swing a discount too. Handy with all the sports. See, that's why I like track - get a decent pair of shoes and you're set for equipment."

A smile. "Bet you look great in a decent pair of shoes. And if you want the discount I'll give your mine."

"Well that's awesome. I have a decent set, let me see if I make track team before I shell out for more. It's definitely appreciated, though."

(Fade or pause for later - whichever!)