[ WP ] This morning , as you vacantly stirred your coffee , you unwittingly hypnotised yourself . The song playing on the radio trickled into your mind and took control of you .

I grabbed Maggie's hand as we passed the threshold to the darkened alleyway. 
 
 `` Hey now!'' I said, pulling her close as we pivoted towards the opening. `` Let's go this way!'' 
 
 Maggie tried to pull away. `` What? Eww. Get real, Tim. Why the hell would we want to go that way?'' 
 
 I held up my hands. There was a part of me that agreed with her - a part that shouted out the danger and screamed for us to stay in the well-lit places of the world. But then again...'' What's wrong with taking the backstreets?'' I urged. `` We'll never know if we do n't go. Moreover, we'll never *shine* if we do n't glow. Eh?'' 
 
 Maggie blinked. `` What the fuck are you on right now?'' 
 
 But I saw my opening and yanked her into the alley behind me. `` Only shooting stars break the mold, babe. You know that as well as anyone.'' 
 
 `` I do?'' 
 
 Our feet clipped and clopped down the narrow, damp lane. `` Oh my god,'' hissed Maggie. `` I think that's an enormous puddle of urine.'' 
 
 I smiled. `` All that glitters is gold.'' 
 
 `` No, that's fucking *piss*, Tim. Do you get hit on the head or something? You've been weird as hell today.'' 
 
 I stiffened. `` Are you suggesting that I'm not the sharpest tool in the shed? Huh? Well, you know what, Mags? For as smart as your brain is, your *head* is pretty goddamn dumb. There. I said it.'' 
 
 `` What the hell does that even mean? Tim, you're starting to scare me. Let's just go home.'' 
 
 `` I agree,'' I said, obstinately pulling her further into the alley. `` The ice we skate *is* getting pretty thin. But you know what I say? *I* say the water's getting warm, so - you might as well swim. *Swim*, Mags. We're swimming now. Do n't you see?'' 
 
 `` Oh my god,'' said Maggie, suddenly cowering behind me. `` Oh god, he's got a knife.'' 
 
 The man was a ragged shamble of dirty clothes and greasy hair. `` Money. Phones. Cards. All of it. Give it over.'' 
 
 Maggie tossed her purse at the man's feet. 
 
 `` Hey now!'' I said, holding my hands up. `` Hey now! I get you. I hear you. We could *all* use a little change, no doubt. But I'm gon na tell you this, sir. You... are an *all-star*.'' 
 
 The man slashing the air contemplatively. `` What's that mean?'' 
 
 `` It means you're a rock star,'' I said. `` And this is just you getting your show on and getting paid.'' 
 
 `` You on'shrooms or something?'' said the knife-man. 
 
 `` I *know*,'' said Maggie. `` This is n't normal, is it?'' 
 
 I shook my head. `` You know... somebody once told me the world was gon na roll me and I did n't want to believe that. I preferred to believe in the good of *ohgodhestabbedme*... *jesuschristIvebeenstabbed*... *ohmercifulheavenwhythefuckdidwecomeintothisalley*... oh god... the years... they just never stop comin'....Maggie... Maggie....it's a cool place now... but they say it gets cooler... hey now baby... do n't cry....hey now.... hey now....''
