FIVE BUS STOPS FROM HOME

The fifth element is a pearl, like the ones you find in clams. The ones that are like the world. Or so the man at the bus stop said. A few quarters will buy you wings, so you don't have to take the bus anymore. But toss away your pennies so one day someone will show up with a bagful of brown and copper asking, “Can I marry your daughter? This is my bank account.” And all this was worth it, the man said, because I made you fucking laugh. You'll go home, take a shot of rum, fucking laugh, and then study.