The generic country music was playing softly in the background. Some glasses were clanking in the sink , but other than that, the room was silent.

“You know, I had a dream last night.”

“Yeah? Well?”

“I dreamed about getting out of this place. I dreamed I left this fucking barren state. I got a ride to New York and got a job there and an apartment and stayed up all night and -”

“And then you woke up, right?”

I just nodded my head. There wasn’t much else to say. Tipping back my glass, I finished my drink and put the money on the table

“You’d be surprised, Tom. You never know what wind will blow our way” I threw at him before I walked out the door.

“You’re better off buying lottery tickets. See you tomorrow?”

I stood at the doorway and thought for a good thirty seconds.

“No.”