"Stop it, MJ. He's a good guy."
"He is not and the sooner you realize that, the better. You and I both know that joker is just one screwed-up order away from being homeless."
The two lapsed into an angry silence. Alison took a nervous pull on her cigarette. MJ looked at her disapprovingly.
"And when are you going to quit those things as well?"
Alison stubbed out her cigarette and gave her friend a guilty look.
"Well I can't argue with you about those. I've picked a day and I'm going to do it. But look, MJ, I need a favor."
"You know you only need to ask, Alison. What is it?" The truth was that MJ really just wanted to help her friend and couldn't bear to see her used up by men she considered selfish dogs and hopeless cases. Alison was like her long-lost little sister. She was an only child herself and apart from her senile aged mother in a nursing home, she was alone in the world.
"I need another sub." She looked at the ground, sheepishly.
"How much this time?"
"Two hundred bucks. Three hundred if you can manage it."
"What's it for?"
"Look, can I just have the money without the third degree?"
"Alison, I can lend you money if you want, it doesn't have to come out of your next pay check."
"I've borrowed enough money from you already, MJ. I'd rather let Tête-á-Tête cover this one. Then I know it'll get paid back on time and I won't have to leave anyone waiting."
"Tell me what it is, Alison. Please, just let me help."
End of Sample