into the great wide open

The Contessa is heading off for the weekend.

Her friends are holding a birthday party for her in Copenhagan.

It will be a wild affair.

I say goodbye to her on Dawson Street.

"Don't get into the fast cars with the druggies," I tell her.

"Why not?" she shoots back.

"You're better than them," I answer.

"Oh come on," she laughs.

"You're too beautiful to die in a car crash," I insist.

"You always say that," she answers.

"And remember Jesus loves you very much," I tell her.

"How do you know?" she challenges.

"Because he sent the finest spiritual thinker of the 21st century to tell you so," I explain gently.