tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86611016145775242062024-02-20T05:14:45.376-08:00John MulliganUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8661101614577524206.post-76013444209280371642018-04-12T23:22:00.002-07:002018-04-12T23:22:43.147-07:00Parking cars and pumping gas<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-IE">Parking
cars and pumping gas<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-IE"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-IE">The Passat pulled in on the other side of
the pumps just as I rode in. I dismounted, stretched myself and opened the filler
cap on the Harley, shoving the nozzle into the tank as I waited for the pump display
to reset.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-IE"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-IE">She was cute, and smartly dressed too. She
had files and shit in the back of the car, like she was a lawyer or maybe a
saleswoman that sells expensive crap to other expensive people. A layer or two
above my social status anyhow.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-IE"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-IE">I looked towards the office, irritated that
the clerk was slow about zeroing the pumps. Still, the scenery was good; the
lady made the nicest view I’d seen all day. I allowed myself to daydream a
little, no harm in that.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-IE"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-IE">The pump started humming and I began to
fill the tank, one eye on the display and one on the lady in her grey suit. I
was surprised when she spoke; mostly, chicks like that don’t waste any time on
a middle-aged biker.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-IE"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-IE">‘Hi’ she said. ‘How are you?’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-IE">‘I’m good, I said, ‘for an old guy.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-IE">She half turned away but continued to talk.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-IE">‘What kind of a day are you having?’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-IE">‘Not good’ I said, ‘got a speeding ticket
just a few minutes ago, I never saw him.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-IE">‘Fantastic!’ she said, which seemed unfair.
‘Did you have lunch?’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-IE">That surprised me, but I never look a gift
horse in the mouth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-IE">‘Nope’ I said, ‘but if you’re buying…..’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-IE">She turned back towards the pump and
slotted the nozzle back in its place, flashing me a smile, or maybe more of a
grimace. That’s when I noticed the phone cable, and the earpiece.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-IE"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-IE">‘I’ll have to call you back’ she said,
‘there’s some guy here keeps butting into our conversation.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8661101614577524206.post-47666776467674914252017-10-25T11:18:00.004-07:002017-10-25T11:22:00.924-07:00The next big thing<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
It was quiet in the pub, the Mullaney
brothers at one table and a couple of guys from the bank in Carrick at another,
and Jimmy Byrne at the bar, nursing a pint. I wiped non-existent spills from
the counter top and tuned in and out of the conversations, as you do. Joe
Mullaney was holding forth at the corner table, a bit loud maybe. I might have
to stop serving him soon, but I’ll see what develops. I need every sale, these
days. The recession might be over in the city, but the boom times haven’t
returned around here. I wished he’d be a bit quieter though, we could do with
less of his mouthing.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE">‘I made a fucking fortune on them’ he said,
‘bought them at five grand apiece and they’re worth four times that much now.
I’m telling you, dogs are the way to go, lads.’<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN-IE"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE">One of the bank boys wasn’t going to let it
go, bragging rights were at stake.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE">‘I bought dogs too, Labradors. Got ten of
them off the receivers down the midlands the year of the crash, twenty cent on
the euro, I’d have my money back on them now if I just let two of them go, but
I’m holding out for a bit more. I reckon if you buy Labradors you’ll always
make money.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE">Joe was defensive. </span>‘Fuck them Labradors, fuckin Jack Russells
are always the best bet, even in bad times. They mightn’t be as classy, but
they’ll sell quick if you have to cash in a few. Aye, the Jack Russell is your
best investment, great for a pension or if you’re looking for safe returns.’<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE">The other bank guy was getting a bit drunk
too, he wasn’t to be outdone.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE">‘I always bought Poodles, or Bichon Frise,
myself. Always liked the foreign stuff.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE">The older Mullaney brother, the one who
used to work in England, seemed to come alive at the mention of the exotics.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE">‘Spare me that foreign shite, too many
people got burnt on foreign dogs during the last boom, they were stuck with
Bernese Mountain dogs and stuff like that, they couldn’t get rid of them when
the crash came. I agree with the brother, the Jack Russell is way better. You
might pay a bit more, but your money is safe.’<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN-IE"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE">The first banker called for two more
drinks; those lads won’t demean themselves by coming up to the counter. I
poured the wine and delivered it to their table, collecting a few empties while
I was out on the floor. He paid me and carried on with the debate.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE">‘Anyway, whatever breed you like, dogs are
the best investment out there, and always will be. Other gimmicks might come
and go, but your canine is the one we’ll always lend on.’<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN-IE"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE">I slid a fresh pint along to Jimmy Byrne
and he swallowed the last of the one he had been minding. I wiped the bar and I
saw that glint in his eye. I spoke quietly to him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE">‘Let it go, Jimmy, don’t start anything,
now.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE">Sometimes I think I might as well be
talking to that toilet door over there, for all the heed anyone takes of me.
Jimmy took a long swallow of the fresh pint and wiped his mouth with the back
of his hand.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE">‘Ye’re all wrong. Dogs is history.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE">There was a rumble of dissent from the
tables. The banker with the penchant for poodles spoke out.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE">‘Don’t mind us, we’re only investment
professionals. And what, pray, do you consider to be the next big thing, so to
speak?’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE">Jimmy didn’t turn around, he addressed his
remarks to the mirror behind the bar.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE">‘Chairs.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE">‘Chairs?’ The banker couldn’t conceal the
sneer in his tone. Chairs, well that’s novel, anyway.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE">‘Aye, chairs. They were never as cheap, and
you can get them for less than it costs to make them, so it stands to reason,
like. Chairs are the future, lads, remember when you look back and kick
yourself for missing the boom, remember where you heard it first. Chairs, put
your money in chairs.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE">He sat back and let the argument rage for a
while. After a bit Joe Mullaney looked up an addressed his remarks towards the
stool at the counter.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE">‘So, are you saying you bought chairs?’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE">‘Aye, I did, surely. Five hundred of them,
and I’ll buy more too.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE">Joe was incredulous.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE">‘Five hundred chairs, and what are you
going to do with them while you’re waiting for the price to rise, or fall off a
fuckin cliff, more likely?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE">Jimmy gave a wink in my direction. I
wiggled a finger to warn him not to start a row in my pub; I didn’t like that
look in his eye. He spoke to the mirror again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IE">‘What’ll I do with them? Well, nothing at
all. I think I’ll just wait for the price to rise. In the meantime, well, I
think I’ll just sit on them.’<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN-IE"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-IE"><br /></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8661101614577524206.post-48614092627109322812017-03-01T15:12:00.000-08:002017-03-01T15:12:05.644-08:00Looking at heaven through a paper telescope<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
The first thing I learned in school was that teachers don’t
like it when you tell them they have it wrong, but that’s another story. I
remember stuff, you see.<br /><br /><b><o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
I remember a blue-sky day that summer and a cow swaying her
way along the road, then lifting her tail to waggle a zig-zag stream of green
scutter on the melty tar. My father slammed on the brakes to avoid the enemy
fire.<br /><br /><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
‘They should have brake lights, so we know to keep back.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Mammy laughed and the cow suddenly turned right into a
farmyard. I could hear the hiss-slap of the milking machine through the open
window of the old Morris Minor.<br />‘And indicators’, she said. ‘Cows should have indicators.’</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
I tried to imagine tock-tock blinkety lights on a cow as I stared
from my spot in the middle of the back seat. I said that maybe it would work
better if they had those yellow sticks like the ones on our car that jump out
when my father clicks the thing to show that he is turning up our lane. He shoved
my mother that way he does when he’s being funny.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
‘It’s the bulls that have the indicators, did you never
notice?’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
She went red, for some reason.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
‘Shush’ she said, ‘little ears.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
She was always saying that, but I looked at the back of his
head and his ears were the same. They were a bit big, maybe, if anything. I
remember he said once that it was so his hat wouldn’t fall over his eyes and
he’d go blind. That would be bad, surely; he might crash.<br /><br /><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
I remember the day with the cow, and the cake on my birthday
with the five candles and then all the talk about my brother coming, but I
didn’t have a brother. When I asked where he was she called Daddy ‘little ears’
again.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
I remember all the men coming to the house and Mammy going
away. They said my brother was there too but I didn’t see him; he must have
gone away with her. I thought it was all the men that made her go. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
After that I remember going to the big place with the
coloured windows and my father crying and saying that the missed her terribly,
but Father Kelly with the white dress said that she is here with us, so you
wouldn’t know who to believe.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
I went to school then and it was great, lots of play stuff
and loads of boys for football. We had to make something out of the sheets of coloured
paper and glue so I made a big, long telescope to see heaven so I could wave to
Mammy. The teacher looked at it and asked me what it was so I told him.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
‘Master Joyce’, he said, ‘I’m afraid that’s about as useful
as lights on a cow.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
I think that sometimes teachers don’t know as much as people
think they know.<o:p></o:p></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8661101614577524206.post-25040880414190089722015-07-08T00:59:00.003-07:002015-07-08T00:59:44.809-07:00Serene suburban Sundays, Spring Street.<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Seven Spring Street, Serena Smith slumbers
serenely, snores slightly. Simon stirs,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB">snuffles, still sleeps.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB">Next-door, naughty nightied Norma Norris
nuzzles naked Norman; nudge-nudge!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB">Serena stirs, stretches; Simon still
sleeps, shifts slightly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB">Serena slipper-steps sideways silently,
soaks, showers, sings sadly, softly; Sunday<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB">sunshine shines strongly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB">Brown-brick bungalowed Bertie Brannigan
breakfasts, belligerent, blue-faced. “Bloody<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB">bins banging, beagles barking; blasted
brats! Bugger!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB">Simon Smith stirs, stretches, shits,
showers, shaves, slips-on shorts, slacks, socks,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB">shoes, soccer-shirt, slams screen, strolls
somewhere. Serena sighs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB">Serena’s siblings smile sadly, shrug
sympathetically, simultaneously; Sarah says<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB">Simon’s selfishly shitty.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB">Jennifer Jones jogs jauntily, jugs
jiggling.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB">Sleazy Simon Smith stares steadily, smirks
salaciously.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB">Churchbells chime, churchgoing children
cycle, chattering cheerfully.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB">Roundy Reverend Robinson rests, rubs rope,
resumes rapid ringing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB">Sally Sanderson slips-on simple sexy silk
skirt; she’s seeing Simon secretly. She shines<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB">shoes, slaps suncream, sends Sally-Sue
Sunday-schoolwards. Simon slips-in side-gate<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB">silently, scratching slightly suspicious
sore.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB">Mandy Morris makes mojitos, mixing Morgan,
muddler-mashing mint. Mmmmm!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB">Serena suspects Sally sometimes; she
sniffles, smiles sadly. Still, Saturday she’ll shag<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB">Sandra’s sexy Spanish schoolteacher Silvio.
Sod Simon!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB">Bong, bong, bloody bells! Belligerent
Bertie Brannigan breaks, bashes bin-banging boys,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB">brutally batters Brenda. Brenda’s badly
bruised, bewildered.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB">Down Dingly-dell, David Dawson destroys
daisies, dandelions, digs double drills;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB">dreaming damsons, dill, dates, dewberries.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB">Alfie Anderson’s allotment’s amazing; all
artichokes, avacados, asparagus and<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB">aubergines. Awesome!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB">Patrick Parkinson peruses papers; “piffle,
poppycock! Petrina, pour port, please!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB">Petrina Parkinson pours perfectly;
Patrick’s pretty pleased, pats Petrina’s puppies’ pelts<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB">playfully.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB">Mandy mutters, makes more Morgan-mix
mojitos.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB">Passing patrolling policeman plods, peers;
presses pager.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB">Bullhorn blares, Brenda’s bleeding,
bawling; Bertie blusters.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB">Angled against Alfie Anderson’s Austin
Allegro, Andy asks again, angrily.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB">“Sandra, still staying? Sure?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB">Sandra sulks, sobs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB">Andy ambles away awkwardly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB">Serena’s step-daughter Sandra stumbles,
stilletoed, short-skirted, slams screen. She’ll<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB">stay, surely; suburban Spring Street simply
suits Sandra Smith, strangely<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8661101614577524206.post-86835316963546014272015-05-18T22:38:00.000-07:002015-05-18T22:38:45.107-07:00Update "Hey Jude"<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-IE;">Hey, Jude!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-IE;">Whassup, Jude?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-IE;">Simon figures I’m flush but I’m singin dumb'. I got it,
thirty big ones hidden about my person; he don't need to know that.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-IE;">'So', he says, 'Jaycee’s dead. You nailed him good.'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-IE;">'He had it comin.'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-IE;">'So, whassup, Jude?'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-IE;">‘Nothin''.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-IE;">'C'mon Jude, ya needed us to finger him for the hit.
Ya owe us, man.'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-IE;">I figure, splits equals less for me; I'm sittin'
pretty with the dough hid in my pants. Ok, they was all in on it, but I takes
the rap, potentially. This hit has my dabs all over it; I gotta be compensated.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-IE;">'Rocky' Pete's actin' tough, but rumour says he's
gonna set up his own show; he's already talking to the Italians. Screw Pete.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-IE;">Screw hairy John and his three hippy mates, ditto. I
hear they got a book deal; they don't need a split of my freakin' dosh. I ain't
got their education, just my wits.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-IE;">Andy's actin friendly. 'Cmon, Jude, we had a deal,
man. Pay up!' <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-IE;">'No joy’, I says. 'He didn't come across.' <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-IE;">Big Phil's getting angry.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-IE;">'You tryin' to cut us out, hah?.'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-IE;">'No way,' I says. 'When I gets it, you'll get it. But not
a straight split. I takes the rap if this goes bad; nobody can pin nothin' on
you guys.'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-IE;">Pete puts a hand on Phil's arm.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-IE;">'I got no problem with him getting extra. But he ain't
cutting us out.'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-IE;">I figures there's no future for me around here no
more. I gets up from the table.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-IE;">'Excuse me, I’m goin’ to the bathroom.'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-IE;">I'm out the side door and down the street real quick, runnin'
like a centurion. I ain't goin' back, never.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-IE;">With this much dough I can get away, get lost, start
my own business or somethin', or my name ain't Judas Iscariot.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8661101614577524206.post-75779122706600888992015-04-29T05:02:00.000-07:002015-04-29T05:02:11.891-07:00Give a sucker an even break<br />
‘Suck, bitch!’<br />
Reluctantly I take it in my mouth, ignoring the too-familiar smell and taste, and begin to suck. The stones on the pavement hurt my knees; he stands, looking down at me, glancing around, watching for police.<br />
<br />
Suck, suck, suck.<br />
The faster I do this, the sooner it’s over.<br />
<br />
Suck, suck, suck.<br />
This was not in my ambition when I came to this country; I had dreamed of nice work, in a fashion shop maybe; not this, not this illegal and immoral business on this dark wet city street.<br />
<br />
Suck, suck, suck.<br />
My parents would be so ashamed if they saw me now. This wasn’t what they had in mind for their daughter; nobody would want their child to do this work. I try not to think of what I am doing; I just think of the money I am making.<br />
<br />
Suck, suck, suck.<br />
Back home I was educated; my teacher told me I could be anything I wanted to be, so I came here. Look at me now, I hate myself.<br />
<br />
Suck, suck, suck, suck, suck, suck.<br />
I lose concentration and suddenly my mouth is full; I retch and spit, trying to get rid of the awful taste. He laughs.<br />
<br />
‘Keep your mind on your work, bitch.’<br />
I quickly stick the end into the container. It spurts out like it’s never going to stop, a fountain! He grunts in satisfaction when he sees how much comes out.<br />
<br />
Tonight I have done really well; I’m making lots of money for sure. Maybe it is better than begging, but I still don’t like it.<br />
<br />
He pries the fuel cap from the next car, feeds in the siphon; he is king of the fuel thieves. I get back on my knees; take the tube in my mouth.<br />
<br />
Suck suck, suck suck.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0