The palm tree overhead offered a sliver of shade from the July heat.

From behind oversized white sunglasses, she watched the hotel guests tan themselves as they took meetings and answered emails. She ordered a tap water, held her phone to her ear, and threw her head back in laughter.

There was no one on the other line.

She had arrived in LA that morning, taking the bus straight from Union Station to the hotel. She snuck in through the side, between the cabanas, and snagged a lounge chair.

She knew she didn’t belong.

But what if, just for a moment, someone thought she did?

This was a city built on dreams.

Maybe hers could start poolside, in a $12 bathing suit she bought at Ross.