His hand is in his pocket: the world—can’t
even enjoy it!—hanging on that telephone. Dark corners; tight
alleyways. Stinking mildew atmosphere; rotted trash orbiting air.
Humid breeze spitting memories; close desires. The club: slow walk—can’t
miss that call—can’t even enjoy it; hanging on that telephone!
The show: somersault ballerinas (too much pink lipstick [speed legs;
plastic rubber odor] spectacular!) The crowd goes wild—his mind
goes wild: endless possibilities. Over. Angry mob is anxious to leave.
Always a rush—there! Now! Pushed through the door.
Negro man comes down stairs. Underwear;
strong black man. Girl on knees crawling away; cherry panties. Wet;
clear open pupil eyes.
“Don’t look man. He’ll
kill you.”
Sampson: old school buddy from hard
times. Dreads and upgraded t-shirt—passes club entrance policy.
“Shows gonna start.”
Back in: world on rush. Def Squad
Pantomime Jam. Black man—white face-paint. Lipstick, (too large,
too black) cotton picking, crowd’s jamming—turquoise bleak
stage. Cotton picking. Dressed in rags and whip-lash. Sampson bawling.
“This the new shit man! Everyone’s
wildin’ out! The new shit!”
Def Squad Pantomime Jam, (cotton
picking whip-lash spectacle [spectacular]—can’t even enjoy
it—hanging on that telephone.)
“Let’s skip. Get a fix.”
The cue.
“Dope shit. Cheap too. Ripped
som’ gringos.”
Dark corners; tight alleyways. Vendors’
committee; open street. Flesh walls; bag handlers. Open market. Black
flesh; flesh market.
“Whatcha want papi?”
“Droga pa’.”
“¡Perico!”
“Fucking junkies. Take your
shit.”
Pleasant smiles; aggravated stares.
All needs fulfilled.
Dark corners; tight alleyways. Bloated
wood entrance. Queen; stick thin on broken peddle chair throne. Loyal
subjects; on the nod. Smoking the Devil. On preparation. Her kingdom;
stunk up mold couch. Gray must mirror; blood stained counter. Decomposed
flesh aura; the queen has it all. One-toothed greetings; open sores.
Mutated cooties; Chewties. Live off ‘em. Entrance fee; one dollar.
Gancho; one dollar. Water; free. Cap; free. Shoelace; free. Clorox;
free. Baking soda and ammonia; free. Cook up the Devil. Forget the
past; future is now. This can be enjoyed; no more hanging on that
telephone.