Lady Gaga and Janelle Monáe pull up in a sleek black car to Joe’s East Van neighborhood. Gaga steps out in full avant-garde glory—sparkly heels, a hat shaped like a UFO. Janelle Monae is right behind her, in a crisp black-and-white suit, tipping her tiny top hat at the neighbors.
Gaga waves to Joe and says, “We were wondering… could we maybe… live here? Your hood seems… alive.”
Joe squints, looking at the street: a mix of corner stores, murals, and folks chilling on steps. “Uh… you mean, like, for real?”
Janelle steps forward, smiling. “We want the vibes. The people. The real art. Not just the stage.”
Joe laughs. “Well, we’re not exactly Rodeo Drive, but we do have heart. And dandelions that keep fighting through the cracks. You two can try it—just don’t mind the smell of fresh paint and bacon from the corner store.”
Gaga twirls. “Perfect. We’ll bring music, glitter, and maybe some intergalactic insight.”
Janelle nods. “And a bit of futurism for the block. We’ll make it a cultural landmark.”
Neighbors peek from porches, whispering, “Are they serious? That’s Gaga… and Janelle!”
Joe shrugs, grinning. “Welcome to the neighborhood. Just remember: East Van doesn’t do paparazzi. You live like us—or you don’t live at all.”
beautiful song
please won’t UB my neighbor?