* title note: Murakami meaning "above the village", Not the crater on the moon.
December 21, 2017 / 5:30 PM / Outside a Starbucks in Los Angeles
"Wait up!" said Ray, "I just gotta tell my friend 'What's up." Ray walked on over to Leon at the table nearing the end of his smoke. "Leon, I'd like you to meet someone I've known longer than you." said Ray while directing his attention to the nerd next to him. Leon was startled and shook in his chair. He stood up and whispered to Ray, "Who is professor hot stuff?" Ray brushed him off, "Get off me!" and then kept the introductions going, "This is Becca I've known her for as long as I can remember, shes from my hometown back the Philippines." Becca extends her hand out for a handshake. "Im Leon, Ray's first friend after moving to California," he grabs Becca's hand and moves it to his lowering face to kiss it. Becca aggressively frees her hand says "Hi, nice to meet you." with a disgusted look on her face. Ray stands by Leon with a smirk on his face. "Im gonna go ahead and just roll with her since shes going home to SF tonight." explains Ray. "Damn, so you're going to be on a road trip with teacher babe while i suffer out here... perrrfect." says Leon. "Pshh! She's like my older sis, dude! . ..Just go home! Aren't you going to visit auntie and your brothers in San Jose for Christmas anyways?" Ray asks. "I'll see whats up, maybe just for New Years, i don't want to get caught up in all the family parties." They both laugh at the fact. "So hey, it was good catching up with you, we gotta chill some more before i leave." says Ray, "and hey! thanks for the ride from the airport!" Leon gives Ray a high five with a hug. "Good to see you again, Brother. How long are you here for?" asks Leon. "4 Weeks!" says Ray as he pats Leon's back. "We'll definitely chill then. Round up the old barkada (group) from college." Leon says as he parts with Ray. "Take it easy on the road and drive safely. Both of you!" shouts Leon as he walks to his car.
"What a creep, next time you introduce me to your friends, tell them my full name." complains Becca. "Hey that 'creep' is one of my closest friends, Rebecca." argues Ray. "You sure know how to pick them well." jokes Becca, "And what was up with all that 'sister' bullcrap?", Becca snarled "Oh yea i should have said brother since you were tomboy-ish." Becca slaps Ray on the arm while sipping on her frappuccino and glaring at him.
Ray follows Becca to her car.
Ray: No....
(Ray in awe of the car)
Ray: No way... that's your car? A freaking Z4?
(in front of them is a black BMW Z4)
Beccca: Hahaha, Surprised much?
Ray: Say "much" much?
(Becca shakes her head as Ray gazes at the car)
Ray: You make this kind o' money for performing live in Starbucks?
Becca: Im a Sur-geon! (Becca yells with emphasis on the syllables)
Ray: I was going to ask if your husband bought it for you.
(Ray laughs as she opens the car door to pop the trunk open)
Becca: Good thing you're travelling light.
(As Ray opens the tiny trunk, heaps of shoe boxes and luggage pop out)
Ray: Wow, you've got your whole closet in here.
Becca: Probably only a quarter of it.
Ray: Girls and their clothes. Jesus.
(Becca smirks and hops in the car placing her drink in the cup holder)
