Where do my ideas come from? Clue: Do you want fries with that?

[image error]A few Saturdays ago, circumstances put me inside a late night McDonalds where I was surrounded by several groups of teenage girls. They'd spent the earlier part of the evening at their high school homecoming dance. They were still dressed up in sequins and fancy hair, but they'd traded high heels and dates for ballet slippers and fries with friends. I sipped black coffee in a corner booth and jotted down pieces of their conversations into my notebook. I rarely use stuff like this exactly as I find it. But later I will try to create scenes that capture a little bit of the real life good humor, goofy energy, manic intimacies and tender sweetness between friends. Here are a few overheard snippets:

"The thing about her is that she doesn't want to be one of those people who is, you know, 'like that.' But the thing is, she's one of those people who is, you know, 'like that.'"

"Okay, guys. We've been here for twenty five minutes. It's time to start having fun."

"EVERYBODY! RAISE YOUR HAND IF YOU'RE HAVING YOUR PERIOD!"

–How many times are you going to say "No Shit?"

–A lot.

–No shit.

–You know why I like you? It's because you're really easy to talk to. It's like we're on the same wavelength. You totally get me. And I totally appreciate that. Do you know what I mean? You're just so great. And you always know exactly what to say. I mean you totally say the exact right thing every time.

–You are such a dork.

–See what I mean?

–Dork. Dork. Dork. Did you bring any money?

"ATTENTION! ALL McDONALDS PEOPLE. WE ARE LEAVING THE BUILDING! GOOD NIGHT!"

I admit that that I feel a little guilty when I'm copying people's conversations down. I'm half spy and half David Attenborough. But honestly, I couldn't make this stuff up if I tried.