"Eh, punk is a state of mind. To be honest, I feel like being a secret punk in a rigged system is still pretty punk," Gerry teases. Internally, he's glowing a little. Partly out of pride at finally getting this hardass to like him, feeling very achieved about it. But also because he may have just scored drinks with her, and somehow that feels--- a little bit like a date?

Man, what was it like when he and Cecil first got together? Gerry can scarcely remember now, it all seems like a lifetime ago. And now here he is, ostensibly back in that same stupid boat all over again. He never thought he'd even need to figure this out again, after Cecil. When things seemed to come so naturally. And then they stopped. And then he was gone.

When will he learn?

"God, no, I just was 'singing' along with my stereo," Gerry admits, laughing. "I never really knew anyone outside my immediate family long enough to form a band, and my time for hobbies was, ehhhh. Limited. I did visual art, though. When I had time. Still do."