IN THREES

 

They were under the drawbridge waiting out the thunder claps and rain. The rain was intermittent, but the threat was immanent. The winds had picked up. That's what drove them under.

They huddled because space was limited. The four of them trapped in that moment. The jogger asked if anyone had the time. The pregnant lady, said, “ Two fifteen.” 

He thanked her and asked when she was due. She rather reluctantly said “November…” and left it at that. The jogger sensed her unease and withdrew.

The homeless woman let out a moan. It was low and it was long. The other three stared at her, not knowing, or wanting, to approach her. She leaned against the wall for support.

"Ma’m? Are you alright?”, the Student asked.

“Just old, is all”, she muttered. “ Don't bother me…”

"Leave her be”, agreed the jogger.

"She needs help”, the pregnant woman said.

“Let's at least make her comfortable…”, said the student.

"Why?”, said the jogger.

The weather was getting worse, and there was nowhere to go. The student and pregnant lady gathered some of the bag lady’s bags and propped them up against the wall, then he laid an old blanket on the ground. The pregnant lady helped her bundle up, and the student eased her down upon it. She curled up tight and rocked for awhile, then went very still. The three watched her…breathless. Then she stirred, and they exhaled together. The relief !  

The student approached her, to re-drape the coat...and gagged when he got there. The homeless woman had choked on her tongue, and was purple and blue, Her eyes rolled back in her head.

"This can’t be happening,” said the jogger, at the annoyance, "Fuck! We're going to get hung up for hours! What did we do?! Goddamn self-righteous people. I say we walk away. We weren't here!”

"Can't do it.”

”Me neither. “

"Go if you want. We were three…it won't change the outcome.”

"No it won’t, will it? Sure you can live with that?”

“Can you?”

He didn't answer, he just turned and sprinted into the storm. Gone in no time. He died cutting across 5th. The driver, blinded by the rain, had no time, or chance to react. He got out and looked at the mangled mass, then got back in the car, and left the scene. Hoping the storm would wash away the stain...
Two hours later, on a treacherous stretch of highway, he would hit an oil slick and skid into an abutment. 

They say it happens “…in three’s ”.

V

WHAT ABOUT CHUCK?

It had a ring to it. It was just on the tip of my tongue. Damn. Amazing, how it slips away. Celebrity. 

I was amongst ‘has been’ and ‘almost was’, all the worshippers - way past their day of judgement, with a smattering of doubters. I suppose I was among them….the latter. But it didn't mean I wasn't open to the abuse bestowed upon me by, said celebrity,….I can be bought. But for a fee. And a hefty fee, at that.

 As for the celeb’s? They preened for the screen then they disappeared into their cabanas. It was to be expected, but yet, you expected more. It'll be over before you know it….and it usually is.

So, where we? I’ve ridden this fuckin’ train before….and unless….until..I get some solid verification, I'm no good to anyone. There are some mean spirited people among us….one can never tell. With the celeb you, you should expect the worst, first. If it should become gravy, Amen. But should it be ‘'the shits” ….that's a different matter. Can you handle it?

Meanwhile Oscar is five days late on his rent, for the third month in a row, and dodging the landlord. He has no fresh ideas…he’s out….metaphorically and otherwise. 

He needs a gig. Oh, he had scored a sweet one, bar tending a political rally (makes Celebs look like royalty). There was a promise of a regular gig, but the caterer was new and inexperienced and closed down. Before that, he foolishly spent the money partying. Celebrating the new job. It was a great party, but he was now busted, and about to be evicted.

“"Damn it, Chuck, you goaded me on…” is the only excuse he could come up with, but that was weak. He'd only himself to blame.

Tomorrow will be “"application day”’, tonight he’ll crash at Chuck’s, again, which will be uncomfortable because of his partner, who just happens to be a cunt. Maybe she’ll be out late. Sometimes she does that, and he appreciates it.

“"Who am I to question their relationship…” he thought, in a moment of guilt. He was invading their space. He’d try to sneak back to his pad tomorrow, but it might be risky. He was afraid the landlord might put his stuff on the street, so he had to take the chance.

He was wrong, she was home early, but just to change for an evening out of the house. Hooray.

“You know Oscar I really dislike you right now. You might be alright in small doses, but you are just too close, and it’s driving me crazy.”

“ I'll be out tomorrow.”

“"Before you do I'd like to get something out of the way.” She announced, then proceeded to have her way with him. 

“…but what about Chuck?”

“"Working late…” 

It was excellent. Wildly entertaining, yet necessitating his immediate exiting in the morning…

V

JIMMY LINGUINI

 

It was hokey music, coming from a dive bar in San Leandro…and, if you know San Leandro, you know.

If you do no not live in S.L., imagine a lonely bar in hell, with, maybe, six crazy-ass customers brooding over too many drinks at too early an hour with time and crime on their hands and minds. The Potential Horror…. What have you stumbled upon? Whatever it was, I found I fit in.

I was supposed to meet some guy…some Johnny Luigi…Linguini…I dunno, but he was supposed to approach me. I waited, and I waited, and I had a few. You can’t go into a bar and order coffee. Not this bar. So, I drank, and waited, and the more bored I got the drunker I became. It should be noted, however, that I am an excellent drunk…barely detectable, under most circumstances, and this was one of those.

Johnny…Jimmie…whatever, he didn’t show and I had nowhere to go. I surmised that food would do me some good, so I paid my tab and ambled (…or stumbled…it’s a matter of perspective) …over to the Mexican place across the street. Dinner hour was almost over so the place was nearly empty, which is just fine in my book. Waitresses, trying to “total out”, they want your order; cooks ready to shut down, they want you gone. So, I got me a nice fat burrito, and I got it pronto. One might question the meat at this late hour – I mean, how long did it sit in the kitchen? – but I don’t care. Quick and efficient is okay by me. I ate quietly, and chewed my food carefully, as the crew shut down, turned up the lights, and stacked the chairs…all but mine. When I was done, my plates disappeared pronto, and the check was on the table. I asked for a coffee, and laid down a twenty. I sipped quietly while the crew finished up. We would walk out together. I bade them all a goodnight, but they were all too busy being gone to notice. The street emptied quick, and then it was…empty.

The flicker of the small neon window sign was the only thing animated, it's red cast called to me. A nightcap could do no harm, and, actually, it was still early.

V