Twenty Dollars

I wander down Sargasso Streets
Garbage strains to pull me under
My battered boots sucked down by
Cigarette packs and gum rappers

You had given me a call, something important
Not safe for the phone
Meet me here, Ill see you than
Not safe for the phone
A flattened pop can squeals beneath my well worn heel
Not safe for the phone

At this late hour, it was not a time
For walking
Or driving or talking
For walking
For business or pleasure
Only a good time for running

The amber sewage light cast from the sodium lamps
Whining above like angels caught in bug
Zappers
Windows shuttered and latched
Theys' eyes' gone black
No movement but my feet
And the dark
And twenty dollars rolled
In my red right hand

My last cigarette betwixt mine lips
I knock loose a wild comma of ash,
Ive come to the block and make my turn
Leaving the pale glow behind
For darker
Side
Streets

Each time you call me Jack
The walk is a little farther
Each time you call me Jack
The wait is a little longer
Each time you call me Jack
It costs me a little bit more

I see you finally
In your fast fucking car
If its so fast Jack
Why arent you on time?
Why doth you taunt me so
With your quick and gleaming steed
Wence Thou complain of poverty and need

Fuck you Jack.

I get to the your car door Jack.
Its locked. You wave to wait a minute.
On your flash new cellie.
Im shaking. Its been too long.
Just open that door.
An easy thing.
Why you gottah do this to me.
Im sick Jack. Real Sick.

The door, he opened it.
I fall in.
Your stereo is too loud
I cant hear you Jack.
Take the twenty.
Give me that shit.

Im sick Jack.

Just gimme.

Please.

Jack turns up his stereo a bit more.

My brain has become to larrrrge for my head.

All I see is him shaking his head.

I read his lips. He says it over and over.

Four-tee
What?
Four-TEE!
You said...
FOUR TEE!


I dont got that Jack.

I do have this...

I reach in my pocket for his payment.

One.

His eyes.

They stare into mine.
I got one over on you didnt I Jack.

Two.

He looks down. Picks up his flash cellie.

Three.

He drops his cellie in his lap. Its getting wet.

Four.

His teeth clench so tight his silver caps drive up into his gums, painting his teeth crimson.

Five.

Jacks looking a little sleepy.

SIXSEVENEIGHTNINETENELEVENTWELVETHIRTEENFOURTEENFIFTEENSISXTEENSEVENTEENEIGHTEENNINTEEN
TWENTYTWENTYONETWENTYTWOTWENTYTHREETWENTYFOURTWENTYFIVETWENTYSIXTWENTYSEVENTWENTYEIGHT
TWENTYNINETHIRTYTHIRTYONETHIRTYTWOTHIRTYTHREETHIRTYFOURTHIRTYFIVETHIRTYSIXTHIRTYSEVENTHIRTY
EIGHTTHIRTYNINE


Fourty.

I owe you a new suit Jack. I was just sick is all. Whatchu got in your pockets Jack. Very nice, Ill just, lets say, borrow this, huh Jack? Till you get better.

Now just a little somthing to help me get by. Oh, you have a lot of somthing dont you. You know Im good for it Jack. Your a good businessman Jack. Give me a call soonish, huh?

Of course Jack couldnt hear me.

His stereo was up to loud.

No one could hear us.

I leave the car, thankful I wore black.

A wad of bills in my sock.

And a fat little baggie

In my red right hand.