2.15 Hello, My Name Is Josh

        "Open it carefully" Nolan ordered as he handed the package to Josh.

        "What is it?" Josh opened the folded pouch to reveal a stash of small foil packages.

         "Here" Nolan slid a pipe across the table. "You'll need this, the bowl is already full. You have your lighter?"

         "Of course..." Josh eyed the golden crystals packed like sand in the bowl, admiring how it sparkled under the strobing lights; glitter was an easy sell. "You smoke it?"

        "That's right" Nolan assured, smiling. "It's better than Moonwine, it makes Moonwine better, too." 

        "Really...." Josh scanned the room in reflective thought, intrigued by the presentation, eyes open for any opportunities to launch such a product; there was a lonely Golden sitting at the bar. He finished his drink, slid the pouch of Soloha into his pocket and with a new pipe in hand, made his way towards her.

         "Hello, my name is Josh" he introduced himself with assertive ease, a natural player, charming goddesses was his style.

         The Golden smiled, flattered by his interest, she knew who he was already, he was Nolan’s friend. "Hello, my name is Zora" she replied, blushing.

         "I see you don't have anything to drink."

         For a moment, Zora wondered if this was some set up, it was so... Out of the blue. "Yes… I mean, no…"

         "I'm not drinking anything tonight" he let her down gently. "Gotta work late." He noticed her glancing at a group of students dancing close by, more than once. He moved closer, gesturing seductively now. "Are they your friends?"

         "Yes" she nodded, feeling a little lush now.

         Josh studied the group, they were lit up on alcohol, they all had partners for the night... He scanned the room, everyone was in a dance trance... This was it, it was as good a time as any to let the genie out... "I have something better than the beverages they serve here." He showed her the pipe. "Would you like some?"

         "Wow...." Zora was instantly captivated by the glittery substance in the pipe, so strange it left her speechless, lusty urges were stealing control. "I..."

         "My treat" Josh urged.

         Was he for real? Zora had never tried smoking before, but knew enough about it to know that stuff wasn't tobacco. "What is it?"

         "Soloha" he smiled.

         "Soloha? What’s Soloha?"

         "Yeah, this is the good stuff, too. I had to pay extra for it!"

         "The good stuff?" Zora eyed the pipe with growing doubt. "What's Soloha?"

         "Excuse me?" Josh was shocked. "You really haven't heard about Soloha yet?" He took a step back, clasping his heart. "Oh. My. God. Medel must have pity on you! It's the best thing that's hit the club scene in decades, it's so good everyone in Atlan is smoking it, gens even smoke it at work, there's NO hangover, it's way cooler than drinking this crap" he gestured to the bar. "It's all the rage in Atlan..."

        "Soloha..." Zora tried to recall any rumors she had heard.

        "Yes, Soloha!" Josh echoed. "Are you SURE you haven't heard of it? I thought most gens in Fina would be smoking Soloha too by now... Hmmm.... That's so weird!"

         "Well, maybe I heard of it but didn't know what it was" she offered, opening her mind to the subject, smoking had never appealed to her, she didn't like the smell, but perhaps this was different.

         "Would you like to try some?" Josh offered her the lighter. "I'm already high but I could sure go for another hit!"

         "Sure... Okay" she accepted, deciding it was a rare chance to bond with the handsome and well connected and now somewhat famous by association, Josh.

         "Great!" Josh handed her the pipe and lit the lighter, coaxing her along. "Take a deep breath… "

         Zora took a long draw as Josh lit the bowl...

        "Good... Inhale deep… Hold it in…" 

        Zora exploded in a cough of white smoke, gasping for breath. It was a bit of a shock to her lungs, but then almost instantly, her body felt like it was spinning, as if she was floating above the crowd, entering into another world sparkling with a kaleidoscope of rainbow lights, strange Beings of Light were swirling in circles around her, making her feel beautiful, beaconing for her to join them in their illusory world...

         Her ecstasy didn't go unnoticed for long. "What's up with her?" Zora's friends returned from the dance floor to see Zora swaying from side to side, as if she was drunk, obviously enjoying herself, she had the biggest grin on her face, her hands were raised up in celebration...

         It wasn't long before her friends learned more. Josh explained what had happened and within a few minutes, the whole group was eager to try this new glittery drug of exaltation.

         Josh waited until all the friends were soaring to greater heights before moving on to his next target, quantifying his potential success as he scanned the masses of sweaty bodies surrounding him. One hit and he had nine of them high as a kite. It was easier than he thought it would be, given the exponential customer base of friends and friends of friends. He wove his way through the sweaty crowds until he spotted another lonely Golden, seated alone at a table by the dance floor. He walked her way with more confidence this time, smiling warmly he helped himself to the seat beside her.

         "Hello, my name is Josh…"