oh well, it's New York

i stare

at the bill, my face whitened

with surprise.

what, she says.

i show her

the bill.

40 dollars for a Cesar salad,

twenty-two dollars

for a glass of Chianti,

and 75 dollars

for cannelloni,

not to mention

coffee and

the twenty-dollar dessert

cake.

oh well, she says.

what are you going to do.

it's New York.

i'll get the cab fare

back to the hotel, can

you break a hundred?