… Fingers flicking lighter. Grin flirts with fire. Mind fumbles in false frenzy.
The lipstick has cracked, bitter on his battered lips.
I'd be better off in a ditch, soaked in oil…OH WAIT… I am… heh… heheheh….
- "You look kinda funny, old man".
He flips around, shamefully shifting his frail frame, resting his elbow on the curb.
- "Huh?"
The girl stares, in the way kids do when they stumble down an alley at night to find a man in purple rags.
- "You look funny".
- "Yeah, well you smell funny… did your mama change your diapers?"
The girl looks behind her back, in the way kids do when they walk into a cave and disturb the bats.
He licks his lips. They sting; he coughs. His voice is weak. "You'd better hide… it could come down any minute! HAH!"
- "What is up there, old man?"
- "Rats with wings", he snaps, gently wheezing.
… Fingers flicking lighter. Grin flirts with fire.
The girl moves closer. A distant lamp-post flickers on, off, on -
- "Why are you soaked?"
- "Why are you dry?… SHUT UP, lassie."
His elbow gives out, and he slumps back into the puddle.
As the ripples settle, the girl moves one step closer.
- "You don't look too good"
- "Awww…" - wheezing cough - "Don't you like my smile, baby girl?"
Teeth smell of sulphur; hair of dye - and blood.
What smells worse: the rat or the puddle of blood? - THE RAGGED MAN EATING THE RAT! HEHEHEHEHEHHEHEHEHEHEHEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
- "Why are you down there, old man? Aren't you cold?"
- "Listen… get away..."
- "Why?"
… Fingers flicking lighter.
- "You do not have to see the punchline to this one, little girl".
- "Have you seen my mama?"
- "Maybe. Heheh… I've seen many beautiful smiles in my time, so I DUNNO!"
The girl shifts her weight.
- "Go away, darn parasite!"
She sits by the side of the ditch.
- "GET THE HELL OUTTA HERE, YOU FREAKIN TWAT! LET ME FINISH THIS ALONE!"
She turns to face the alley, her back to the screams.
- "HEEEEEEEEEEEEEHEHEHEHEHHH - DAMN ME, THIS IS HOW IT GOES… HAAAAA-LEEE-LUUUU-JAHHHHHH
- you looking away, at least, little darling? -
OHHHHHHHH HAHAHAHAHAHHAHAH FLICK FLICK FLICKITY-FLICK…
… adieu …"
The darkness stares at the child, as the fire behind her rises.