They’re both fans of quality they can’t afford.
Musicians in their souls,
Headphones they both want,
To escape the hard reality of their existence,
Headphones they both need.
Ambitious they are —
Not necessarily in the right way,
Their goals they will reach,
Only at a high cost.
She wakes up at dawn, praying to have the strength to go through the day. She wants to have a calm moment at work and does not want to deal with her stuck up clients. Coming from what they call a “family on a low income,” she has dreams of a better life.
Vanity of vanities, all is Vanity.
Her “best friend” is one of those who doesn’t want to work, but instead relies on men to help them achieve their financial targets. She shares days and nights with strangers, who deposit their semen in her sacred body; all this, just for a little money.
Vanity of vanities, all is Vanity.
He wakes up at noon, numbers streaming through his mind, thinking of the location he would stand at to do some business. Last night was pretty fruitful; well, if you could call a crime a seed. Where he comes from, selling drugs is a common currency and the most accessible approach to rescue oneself from the hood. Slightly dangerous, but of no danger was he afraid. He’s been doing this for a few months now; a motivation born from shadowing others, envying their lifestyle.
Women.
Parties.
Cars and bling-bling
More women.
More parties.
Just fun.
Vanity of vanities, all is Vanity.
It is during a long commute to work that it all started. That desire for items she does not possess. It is with envy in her eyes that she looks at strangers surrounding her in the streets. She wants that kind of lifestyle. Posh. Luxurious. Glamorous. She already has a list of stylish gadgets she wants to buy. One day. Bang and Olufsen. H9i precisely. Only $499. Fabulous headphones with a sound coming from heaven, you’d think angels are playing music just for you. Yes, she wants them, and for unknown reasons, she feels the urge of having them. She wants to be the kind of person who looks important, and she wants to be that person now.
He arrives at his spot just before sunset. He looks too laid back for a person who’s risking his life. Who cares? He is way too high to think anyways. It is still early, so he has time to let his thoughts lead him to the clouds where he shapes himself “living a good life.” His gaze wanders around on the high street. That’s when he sees his favorite shop. Bang and Olufsen, makers of the greatest. He’d wanted to have them, yet didn’t have the means to acquire such an expensive jewel. He looks at his watch thinking that with tonight’s deals, he should have enough money to buy them by tomorrow.
She comes out of a building, One of those on the upper east side of NYC. She is like a fish out of water but believes it is worth it. It is just a one-off, unlike her best friend, she does not intend to make it a lifestyle. One unworthy man, to fulfill one strong desire. That is all it was. Never again. At least now, she has her headphones. Those she saw at nights in her dreams, and in her visions during the day. She is on her way home now, excited to be able to let her soul wander to the rhythm of the music.
It is almost nine o’clock. Like he was yesterday, he is standing at his spot. He has no control of his body, no authority over his mind. His red eyes spot a shiny object, he notices from afar. The headphones he dreamed of, shining there, calling him to come and collect them. He runs to the young woman wearing them, grabs what he believes is merely one of the wonders of the hood, and tries to clear out of her way. The woman stops him. She is holding his hoodie and tries to fight. Before he realizes, blood splashes his outfit.
She grasps the fold of his jumper, trying hard to stay up. She feels her energy running out. She holds her heart with her hand and falls on her knees. Her eyes widen, her body stiffens. Despite her attempts, she falls on her face. She feels the tears rolling, thinking of all that could have been. She cries her soul out, her soul that is no longer. And it is with profound remorse that she understands the importance of what she never valued. She lets her last sigh.
All this for a pair of headphones.
It is a story of two people,
Dreaming of better
A couple of souls
Ignorant of their values
It is the story of two people,
Who both loved a pair of headphones
More than they loved themselves.
All is Vanity.
