This Place Is A Prison

this place is a prison and these people aren't
your friends
inhaling thrills through $20 bills and the
tumblers are drained and then flooded again
and again

ther're guards at the on ramps armed to the
teeth
and you may case the grounds from the
cascades to puget sound, but you are not
permitted to leave

i know there's a big world out there like the
one i saw on the screen
in my living room late last night, it was
almost too bright to see
and i know that it's not a party if it happens
every night
pretending there's glamour and candelabra
when you're drinking by candlelight

what does it take to get a drink in this place?

what does it take, how long must i wait?