I go to a play along with a group of friends-- that is, they're the group of friends, and I'm going along with them-- a distinction which becomes more evident as the event progresses-- first there's a seating awkwardness in which I start to sit in what I think is a free seat in the middle of the row only to realize it's been invisibly earmarked for one of their inner circle as that person moves into it and I get a small odd look, like, yes? what can we do for you? so I move on down the row to the end but one-- and then wonder if I should offer to switch so the end person can sit beside her friends-- but the play is starting, so I sit quiet. the play turns out to be an annoying, insider, referential affair-- the entire group I came with is laughing and eating it up, and all I can think is how bad and irritating it is. as soon as it ends, I abruptly tell the one sort-of friend who'd invited me in the first place that I'm going-- and leave without bothering to explain myself to the others. then I'm walking through the neighborhoods of the city when I realized that I had driven to the even and feel bad for bailing-- as if in compensation I've abandoned my own car and am walking the whole way on foot. it also turns out that I've put a wallet and things in my pockets to hold for one who didn't have a bag or a pocket big enough and that I still have them and she has to come get them now-- I think, it's too bad, but what's done is done.