Mrs O’Brien stood
at the office hatch
of the factory
as Naaman approached

he stood there
gazing at her
how long
were you on that job?

she asked
about 6 inches
he said
looking at her

standing there
with dyed brown hair
and glasses
making her eyes

look larger
seriously I mean
in time how long?
she said

about 2 hours
he replied
about?
she said

I need accurate time
I am doing a time
and motion study
he looked at her

non plus
1 hour and 45 minutes
and 45 seconds
he said

trying to see himself
in the glass
of her spectacles
trying to gauge

how old she was
seeing the crowfeet
at the corner
of her eyes

she sighed
accurately?
yes
he said

she looked at him
as if he were her son
and had spoken
out of turn

any problems
Mrs O'Brien?
the manager asked
no Mr Nede

she said
giving Naaman the eye
just a bit of confusion
with Naaman here

about timing
she said
it was how long
Naaman?

Naaman took out
a piece of paper
from the pocket
of his jeans

and handed it to her
she read it
and scribbled it down
in a notebook

thank you Naaman
she said
giving the look
of a mother at a child

who had been punished
anything at any time
Naaman said
winking an eye

she looked at him frowning
as if a small window
had opened in her mind
and let in light

she walked away
from the hatch
carrying the notebook
and Naaman watched her

studying her
swaying behind
the patterned skirt
the dark brown stockings

the high heeled shoes
she sat at her desk
and saw him
still there at the hatch

anything else Naaman?
she asked
if you like
he said quietly

what is it
I can do for you?
pleasure
he said

and walked off
along the factory floor
between noisy machines
and the other workers

wondering how well
she'd pleasure
if at all or
even if he'd

want to
and switched on
his machine again
with more work to do.