July first was a very hot, steamy month. Mark was to start filming the commercial in Central Park. It turned out not to be a commercial for the firm, but an awareness commercial about being mugged and how to keep yourself from being mugged. The public service commercial wasn't something Mark wanted to film, however, he would be making 2500 for this one, 30-second commercial.

He only had one shot at this commercial. They wouldn't give him any more. That was scary and made this job kind of exciting. "OK, Mugging Awareness Commercial take One. Rolling," he shouted.

A girl was standing turned to the side. Her purse was draped over her arm. It did not even look like she was trying to prevent herself from being mugged. From the right side of the lens, a man strode over to her. He was not even trying to be discrete. Mark sighed. This was going to be one long day.

Mark was thankful it was time for lunch. He strode down the street. His hands in his pockets, looking at everything around him. He was filming as he went. Mark lowered his camera when he saw someone he least expected come towards him sulkily.

Roger's hands were in his pockets as well. His shoulders were hunched. He had a sheepish smile on his face. "Hey."

"Hey," Mark said back.

"Hey," Roger said, "Listen, Mark, I was a jerk. I'm, you know, sorry."

Mark nodded. "Yeah," Mark said, "Thanks."

"We cool?"

Mark nodded. "Of course."

"Listen, I've got some amazing news! Mimi's pregnant. I'm gonna be a dad."

"You're kiddin' me. Congratulations, Rog," Mark said, "Wanna get a bite to eat at the Life Café?"

Roger grinned and nodded. "Of course," he said as they entered.

They were shown to a seat and given menus. "French fries and a turkey burger," Roger said.

Mark didn't say anything. He was still deciding what to eat. The only thing that sounded good was a fried egg sandwich.

"So are you and Sam still together," Roget asked suddenly. He looked over at his friend. Concern was in his eyes.

"Of course. Why wouldn't we be," Mark asked. A frown creased his brow.

Before Roger could respond, Sam entered. She was smiling and looked exhausted. In this heat she was wearing a denim jacket. She rolled downed the sleeves of her jacket down quickly. "Hey, babe," Sam said, kissing him on the cheek. Sam looked at Roger at smiled. "Hey, Roger! Are you are Mark talking?"

Roger nodded. "Yeah," he said. He studied her. Something was wrong with her. He shook it off and rubbed his hands together. "Mimi and I are gonna be parents," he told her.

She squealed and ran over to him. Sam hugged him quickly. "Oh, congratulations," she breathed, "Can I join you for lunch? I'm starved."

"Of course," Roger said. He looked over at Mark, who looked quizzical.

"You haven't been hungry for weeks," Mark said slowly.

"I am today," she said. She plopped down in one of the seats. When the waiter came over, she smiled and waved at him. When he asked her what she wanted she replied, "French fries and a burger."

"Friend egg sandwich and green tea."

"French fries and a turkey burger."

"Got it. Anything else."

"Do you have any chocolate pie?" Sam asked.

"Yeah," the waiter said.

"I'll have a slice of that too," she said.

The waiter wrote it down and left.

Mark looked down at his camera. "I've been filming all this time," he said. He blinked.

"Great! I'll be perfect for the movie," Sam said. She reached over and touched Marks hand. "I love you so much. Let's get married…August twelfth in Central Park."

Mark had forgotten about his camera. "Are you serious?" He looked at Sam. He squeezed her hand tightly.

"Of course I am Mark Cohen!"

"OK…OK! Of course I will: Mark said. He leaned forward and kissed her on the lips.

"Oye! Beers all around," Roger called. He waved the waiter over, "We're celebrating."

The waiter brought the drinks along with the meal. All three ate happily. As they ate, they talked.

"Well, I gotta dash! I have a wedding to plan," Sam said. She waved as she left. "What a month! It'll go so fast!"

And fast it went. When Sam was not working, she was planning her wedding, usually high. For Mark, he was filming everything. He also was working for the firm. Each week, he made a new commercial.

On July 31st, Sam leaned against the wall in a hallway. Tears were trickling down her face. She was shaking and sweating. In one hand, she held a needled syringe filled with heroin. In the other, a positive pregnancy test. Rain poured down around her. She dropped the syringe on the ground as well as the pregnancy test.

With shaking legs, Sam ran as fast as she could through the streets. One word ran through her head. He had told her to come to him if she had done drugs and she had been doing drugs all month. But, she wanted to quit. She had to. Reaching the lofts, she ran up the flight of steps. Sam knocked on the door. When it slid open, she breathed the word, 'Roger', and passed out.

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