"Don't be such a prude," Julie said, pinching Janet's arm as they turned east on Venice Boulevard and crossed Pacific Avenue. "You said you wanted to have a little fun."

"Yes, but I didn't think, I mean, I didn't know you were gonna be down here picking up guys… guys like that."

Janet looked around her, God, it was getting darker, more creepy. A few cars zoomed up and down the boulevard as they reached a small bridge. To the right she saw a long waterway wending its way toward the marina. Tumble-down homes and apartment buildings clung precariously to the grass-covered banks. A sour, pungent odor seemed to hang over the area, a smell far from, pleasant that grew stronger as the party descended rickety wooden stairs to a cement walkway.

"Careful here," one, of the men warned. "Lots of cracks. Fuckin' city don't fix nothin'."

Janet picked her way carefully in the semi-darkness. A few lights in the homes were the only indication of life in the area. More than once Janet thought about turning around and going back to the car. She drew closer to Julie, wishing time would pass quickly so she could be back home in her boring community. This was the kind of excitement she didn't need.

"Here we are."

They stopped at the corner of two adjoining waterways.

"Don't worry," Julie reassured her.

Janet smiled weakly, bugging her thin shoulders as they stepped into a one-story wood house on the canals. It was damp inside, reeking of a mixture of odors. Janet wrinkled up her nose as she walked in. Someone turned on a dim light that barely illuminated the place.

"Name's Jack," the tall dark-headed, bearded stud said, closing the door behind them and locking it. Yes, he locked it! Janet was sure! She had heard the snap of the bolt even if Julie hadn't. Should she say something? "That there's Bill and Greig."