Urbane Legend by Lara Hughey


			by Lara Hughey t is said this city never sleeps, and if you can make it here you can make it anywhere. It is also said that this city will eat you alive if you let it. All these things are true, especially the last one. I've never liked swimming with sharks. That's how I perceive the "networking" parties in which you must rub elbows, shake hands and exchange business cards like they were a hot commodity. The people who naturally populate these gatherings have the same soulless look. At tonight's event there's a big fish my boss would like to catch so I've been sent to act as the lure. Armed in my discreet black suit I weave my way straight to the bar. With some quick banter I can access business leads or make a quick getaway if necessary. I jump right in with the young lady desperately clutching a Cosmo on my right, "Hi, I'm Sarah. How are you?" "I'm Christy. I'm good. Drinks are too expensive though." She seems relieved someone else is taking the lead. "Well, that's more the rule at these things, rather than the exception. What do you do?" I'm not wasting time. Christy tells me that she books celebrity interviews for a popular magazine. She puffs up as she gets into the spirit of the