We were out for a walk through the Quarter, and there’s this little alley we love (Exchange Place). It’s picturesque and is often seen in a lot of commercials when they want a “quintessential French Quarter background that isn’t Bourbon Street.” Very idyllic — slate walkway, balconies made of wrought iron overhanging with plants and flowers fresh and bursting with color.

There are two restaurants who, in good weather, have seating there and they share the space (which is interesting to watch on a busy night), but this afternoon, there were only a couple of tables occupied. At the last table, there were two young women seated, and we could see them talking animatedly as we approached.

My first impression were two tourists relaxing after JazzFest, recounting something funny. We had to walk by them in order to exit the alley, and as we got closer, we heard:

Black-haired-woman-with-piercings: He likes to be blackmailed. So if he were to say [and man, I tried to hear this part, but she dropped her voice], what would you say back to him?

Red-haired-fresh-faced-woman: “I have no clue.”

Black-haired-woman-with-piercings: “You have to make him suffer. There are a dozen ways to twist the knife. And you have to think fast. Now… if he said…”

My husband wouldn’t let me loiter just around the corner and eavesdrop. Party pooper.