Title: Alphabet City Alphabet

Author: ello luv

Summary: A look into our favourite Bohemians' lives

Disclaimer: I do not own Rent. Many thanks go out to Jonathan Larson for creating such a wonderful masterpiece. If only he could have seen his dream come to fruition.

A/N: I haven't really been getting any reviews lately, and although that won't stop me from posting new vignettes, I would really like to know what you readers think of my work. Just thought you ought to know.

U is for Umbrella

It was a cold, gray, rainy October day in the city. Roger Davis strode down the sidewalk. He was hunched over, hands in the pockets of his leather jacket, bleached-blonde hair sticking to his forehead and neck. His sneakers were soaked through and the wet denim of his jeans was starting to chafe.

He was stopped at a crosswalk when a taxi zoomed by through a nearby puddle, splattering him with muddy rainwater.

"Shit," he swore loudly. Somebody grabbed his arm and, suddenly, the rain was no longer pounding on his skull. Roger looked up to see a black man in a long raincoat holding a bright red umbrella above them.

"Thanks," Roger muttered.

The black man smiled.

"No problem. I'm Benjamin Coffin. Benny," he introduced.

"Roger."

"Your parents just stop at Roger?" Benny asked jokingly.

"Davis."

"Well, Roger Davis, I'd like to offer you protection from this pouring rain. Where do you live?"

"Around," Roger replied with a shrug. Benny studied him for a moment.

"You need a place?"

"Why do you ask?" Roger snapped.

"I share a loft with a couple of other guys. We could use another person to split the rent with."

Roger thought about it for a moment.

"Sure."

Benny grinned.

"Great! I share the place with a teacher named Collins and this other guy, Mark; he's a filmmaker and a newbie to out wonderful city. I think you guys'll hit it off."

The two men began to walk down the street under the protection of Benny's bright red unbrella.