Is it? You tell me. What's going on in California that means young folks like you die early and wander, restless and far from home?

[Johnnie can think of a few ways to answer that. He frowns as he watches the fire.]

Lotta people in California in our time. Lots more than here. And a lot of 'em aren't happy in life, you know, everyone's just tryin' to get by. Some go find ways to make life less shitty, some get fucked over by other people who trample everyone around them to try an' claw their way to the top of the shit pile. An' that's everywhere anyway, not just California.

[Man, he wants a drink. Or to get high, actually. He taps his hand against Chrissy's thigh.]

Hey babe, you wanna split a joint? I got my lighter if you wanna go get one.