The Paris Review is looking for new writers. Click here to check out our submission guidelines.

We listened as the people on the other side of the wall tried to open the door. They called to passersby. A few glasses seemed to drop from the bar, there was a breaking sound, and a woman’s voice saying, “I’ll take care of that.” Then we heard a sound like a giant toilet being flushed on a giant airplane, followed by silence. I went to the wall and knocked on it. “Hello?” I said. “Hel-lo-o?”