Julie followed Benedict
from bookshop to bookshop
then they went in a cafe
on Charing Cross Road
and sat down
by the window
and ordered two coffees
and lit up cigarettes
how's it going
at the hospital?
he asked
gutty
she said
boring my ******* off
I shouldn't be there
she inhaled deeply
on her cigarette
once you're off the drugs
you won't be
he said
I am off the drugs
she looked at him
well most of the time
she said
what do they say
at the hospital?
they said my parents
want me to stay there
until I'm cleaned off
she said
but you're out today
he said
yes on good behaviour
she said
any sign
I've taken anything
then I'm locked in
and Daddy said
they'll have me sectioned
if need be
he has doctor friends
who will oblige
and him and Mother
being doctors themselves
it won't be difficult
she said
Benedict watched
as the waitress
brought the coffees
and put them on the table
and swayed off
in a Monroe fashion
we could take in a film
if you like
he said
no I don't want
to be stuck
in some smokey cinema
she said
I want to be out
in the fresh air
and see London
ok
he said
what about having a stroll
along the Thames Embankment?
then after take in
a look around an art gallery
you are full of fun
she said moodily
ok where then?
he said
some room someplace
and a good ****
she said
the word hung in the air
like a dark cloud
in the cafe
people gaped at her
I think they've got
Lichtenstein at the gallery
this month
he said
Pop Art stuff
he added
she pulled a face
then drew on her cigarette
you're in a mood
he said
maybe you should
have stayed at the hospital
and twiddled your thumbs
on the ward
she stared at him
releasing smoke
from her mouth slowly
ok the gallery
isn't too bad an idea
she said
but I'm gagging
for a fix
my body's screaming for it
she went quiet
and sipped her coffee
he looked at her
sitting there
dark brown hair
tied by a ribbon
her eyes staring
at the table
her fingers holding
the cup and cigarette
he recalled the time
at the hospital
when they'd managed
to be alone
in the small broom cupboard
and the quick ***
in the dark
between brooms
and dusters
and buckets
he smiled
what you smiling at?
she said
cupboard love
he said
she laughed
yes that was good
she said
unexpected too
and any moment
some poor cleaner
coming for a bucket
and seeing us at it
she stubbed out
her cigarette
in an ashtray
on the table
and they went out the cafe
and back along
towards Trafalgar Square
to the art gallery
to see what was there.
Oct 6, 2013
Oct 6, 2013 at 2:32 AM UTC
Julie followed Benedict
from bookshop to bookshop
then they went in a cafe
on Charing Cross Road
and sat down
by the window
and ordered two coffees
and lit up cigarettes
how's it going
at the hospital?
he asked
gutty
she said
boring my ******* off
I shouldn't be there
she inhaled deeply
on her cigarette
once you're off the drugs
you won't be
he said
I am off the drugs
she looked at him
well most of the time
she said
what do they say
at the hospital?
they said my parents
want me to stay there
until I'm cleaned off
she said
but you're out today
he said
yes on good behaviour
she said
any sign
I've taken anything
then I'm locked in
and Daddy said
they'll have me sectioned
if need be
he has doctor friends
who will oblige
and him and Mother
being doctors themselves
it won't be difficult
she said
Benedict watched
as the waitress
brought the coffees
and put them on the table
and swayed off
in a Monroe fashion
we could take in a film
if you like
he said
no I don't want
to be stuck
in some smokey cinema
she said
I want to be out
in the fresh air
and see London
ok
he said
what about having a stroll
along the Thames Embankment?
then after take in
a look around an art gallery
you are full of fun
she said moodily
ok where then?
he said
some room someplace
and a good ****
she said
the word hung in the air
like a dark cloud
in the cafe
people gaped at her
I think they've got
Lichtenstein at the gallery
this month
he said
Pop Art stuff
he added
she pulled a face
then drew on her cigarette
you're in a mood
he said
maybe you should
have stayed at the hospital
and twiddled your thumbs
on the ward
she stared at him
releasing smoke
from her mouth slowly
ok the gallery
isn't too bad an idea
she said
but I'm gagging
for a fix
my body's screaming for it
she went quiet
and sipped her coffee
he looked at her
sitting there
dark brown hair
tied by a ribbon
her eyes staring
at the table
her fingers holding
the cup and cigarette
he recalled the time
at the hospital
when they'd managed
to be alone
in the small broom cupboard
and the quick ***
in the dark
between brooms
and dusters
and buckets
he smiled
what you smiling at?
she said
cupboard love
he said
she laughed
yes that was good
she said
unexpected too
and any moment
some poor cleaner
coming for a bucket
and seeing us at it
she stubbed out
her cigarette
in an ashtray
on the table
and they went out the cafe
and back along
towards Trafalgar Square
to the art gallery
to see what was there.
SET IN LONDON IN 1967.
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