Let it go

"Alright," Ethan lets it go, "I believe you."

Alex nods slightly, looking satisfied. "Thank you."

They sit in silence for a moment, a new topic percolating.

"So, how do new people learn about this place?" Ethan ends up asking, skirting around the real question he wanted to ask.

"Well, somebody invites you. And again, kids only really come here. Once you're old enough to go to the bar, you kind of graduate..."

"Hm," Ethan considers that. "So you've got a little less than a year before you're booted out?"

"Eh," she smiles, "Pretty much."

"So, what exactly do you do here..." Ethan eyes the ashtray and bottles, making sure Alex can follow his line of vision.

Alex shrugs. "Lots of stuff. Some of us drink, some of us get high-"

"So it IS a **** den!"

"Shhhh," Alex swats at his face. "Weed! God! Anyways..." she sighs, "But if I'm being honest there is a lot of making out..."

"Hm," Ethan thinks about how he should respond.