Last Exit to Brooklyn (8 page)

‘Prophet!’ said I, ‘thing of evil! prophet still, if bird or devil –

Whether Tempter sent, or whether tempest tossed thee here ashore,

Desolate yet all undaunted, on this desert land enchanted … ’

and through a rip in the black shade she saw dancing points of grey
and soon light would streak the sky and the shadows would soften and dance and the soft early morning light would seep through the room pushing the shadows from the now darkened corners and the candles soon would be out

And the Raven, never flitting, still is sitting,
still
is sitting

On the pallid bust of Pallas just above my chamber door;

And his eyes have all the seeming of a demon’s that is dreaming,

And the lamp-light o’er him streaming throws his shadow on the floor;

And my soul from out that shadow that lies floating on the floor

Shall be lifted – nevermore!

and the Bird was blowing a final chorus, high, and the set wouldnt end, but the Bird would slowly fade and you would never know when he really stopped and the sounds would hang and roll in your ear and all would be love – Quoth the Bird Evermore – and the flames bowed and licked the edge of the candles and even Harry didnt fight his lethargy and try to break the spell and Georgette lowered the book to her lap with full dramatic presence and the final words still whirled with the light and stayed in the ear as the sea in a shell and Georgette sat on a wondrous throne in a wondrous land where people loved and kissed and sat silent together, holding hands and walking through magic nights and Goldie got up and kissed the Queen and told her it was beautiful, simply beautiful and the guys mumbled and smiled and Vinnie struggled with the softness he felt, trying honestly, for a second, to understand it, then let it slide and slapped Georgette on her thigh, gently, as one does a friend, and smiled, at her – Georgette almost crying seeing the flash of tenderness in his eyes – he smiled and groped for words, battling with his boundaries then saying, Hey, that was alright Georgie boy, then the knowledge of his friends being there, especially Harry, forced its way through the bennie and the mood and he sat back quickly, took a drink and grubbed a smoke from Harry.

The light forced itself through the many holes in the shades … the candles slowly becoming anonymous. Goldie opened the box of bennie slowly and proffered it to Georgette. She took two, just two thank you,
smiled and laid them on her tongue and sipped her gin. They spoke quietly, smiling, sipping their drinks, at peace with all and Georgette leaned back in her chair speaking softly with Vinnie, and the others when addressed, all her movements: smoking, drinking, nodding, soft and regal; feeling extremely human; looking upon her world (kingdom) with kindness, softness; waiting, excitedly yet not nervously, for the time, soon, for her to nod to her lover … but the sun continued to rise and the room became brighter and the girls became conscious of the perspiration streaks in their makeup, hoping the boys would not notice it before they got upstairs and had a chance to fix their faces. Goldie kept glancing at her watch and listening to hear Sheila and her john leaving, wanting to get out of this ugly room and upstairs with the boys before the light brought them down and they lost what Georgette had given them; afraid if a bennie depression set in that the boys would simply become rough and not trade. She watched the room becoming brighter, too bright, and listened, listened …

Then she heard some(one) rushing through the hallway and Tony opened the door – Goldies heart was pounding and she tried to ignore Tony and listen for steps (four) on the stairs – and started apologizing, looking hopefully at Goldie, before the door closed and Goldie finally turned to her and told her to shut up. Tony obeyed immediately (she had dropped her sister off at the hospital and stayed in the cab and came right back, wanting to get back before Goldie left; hoping to be invited to join them; she didnt want to sit alone in that evil apartment and she wanted so much to be a friend of Goldies, to get high with them and have other girls to talk with) she obeyed immediately and stopped in the middle of a syllable and looked around the room but they all ignored her – Goldie jumped up and went to the door, listened then opened it slightly – so Tony walked across the room (between them … between them. Theyre watching me. I know they are. It wasnt my fault) and sat – Goldie turned and said they left. Rosie, gather our things. They left. Tony sat, then got up and walked around the room (not even a bennie … not one); went to the kitchen, poured a cup of coffee (maybe I should have stayed with her. Might just as well have) and walked back to her chair.

Goldie ran to the bathroom to fix her face. Georgette picked up the half filled bottle of Scotch that the john had left and poured Vinnie a drink, on the rocks, then turned on the radio. She could see that Vinnie and the boys were getting higher and higher and by the time the Scotch would be finished (and there was still gin and a fresh supply of bennie forthcoming) they would be searching for the floor when they walked. O what a wonderful day. (She went to the windows and fixed the blinds so too much light would not come in.) Just simply too much. She visited different parts of the room, talking, smiling, fixing drinks, singing (Vinnie, Vinnie), dancing; even laughing with Lee. Camille ran to the bathroom, when Goldie came out, with her hair brush, nail brush, finger brush and hand brush. Goldie gave Rosie money for bennie then called Georgette aside and asked her to be intermediary between she and Malfie and she told her, Of course; and Goldie told her she had a box of syrettes and in a few minutes when things are a little more settled we will go inside and turn on. Georgette kissed her and really started swinging. A little morphine now would be just perfect. O yes, just perfect. O Lordy … MS and Vinnie!!! She filled a glass with gin and sat next to Vinnie (should I offer him a shot too?) talking with him and the boys (No. Might ruin him) and even Harry and his absurd remarks were palatable (O God! I hope the bennie didnt kill his nature), but of course she did her utmost to avoid any dissertation with
him
(If only the others would leave we could sit together and he would kiss me and I would caress his neck and kiss the lobe of his ear and we would undress each other and lie on the bed with our arms around each other and I would run the tips of my fingers along his thighs and his muscles would tighten and we would both squirm slightly and I would kiss his chest and feel his back and smell the sweat and put my legs around his hips – Whatta yasay sweetchips? Georgette turned and started opening her arms and Vinnie pinched her cheek, how about taking this inside and ringing it out, standing up slowly his hand clutching his crotch. Georgette lowered one hand (not now … later) and let the other one slide along his leg. Wanna help me empty this? wavering slightly then spreading his legs further apart and laughing as he bounced his balls with his hand. She leaned forward slightly (no no no!!! You will ruin everything) and he turned, still laughing, and went
to the bathroom (his eyes are bugging out of his head. O Christ he is high. It will be beautiful!!!) and roared as Camille leaped from the bathroom when he goosed her, dropping her brushes then carefully stooping, watching the bathroom door, picking them up and dashing to the living room.

Georgette sat back and sipped her gin for many seconds. Harry got up and chirped at Georgette, stoned out of his head, and plopped down beside Lee. Georgette followed him with her eyes, still sipping gin and still fighting for control of herself. She could not fuck it up now. It wont be long. It wont be long. Vinnie and MS. Yes. She picked up the bottle of gin and refilled Malfies glass and asked him if he would let Goldie do him. Malfie closed his eyes slightly and smiled, took the glass from her hand. Got more bennie? She patted his cheek and got two more for him and went to tell Goldie that everything was arranged. O everything is just so wonderful. Vinnie and his boys are stoned out of their heads and soon she would have Vinnie. Goldie took her into the bedroom and gave her a syrette. Arent you going to take one? Not now honey. I’ll wait until after that big cocked guinea has fucked me. So Georgette shot up and waited for the first wave to pass then went back to her throne, next to Vinnie. He was yakking with Malfie and Harry – Lee and Camille joining in, Goldie just watching Malfie and occasionally laughing – and tugged Georgettes ear when she sat down. She smiled and did a rolling bump before sitting down, nodding modestly to the applause. Georgette whirled digging the scene and everybody was swinging. Even Harry and Lee were making it and the sounds came from the radio and Camille was snapping her fingers (a little too demonstratively if you ask me, but its alright because we’re (Vinnie and MS – VINNIE) swinging) and everything fell into its proper place, all words fitted; and Goldie sat beside Malfie and he grinned,
aspet … una moment
; and Camille felt real bitchy and daring and winked at Sal and he tried to speak but he couldnt stop grinding his teeth and his head just lolled back and forth, droplets of scotch dribbling down his chin, but he was so strong and handsome – O what a marvelous chin – and she giggled thinking of the letter she would write to the pinkteas back home: O honey, do you know from nothing. What a gorgeous way to lose ones virginity!
Sal laughed and blurted, I gotit swingin bitch HAARRR; and Malfie emptied his glass, refilled it and followed Goldie into the bedroom and Georgette watched, floating around their heads bopping SALT PEAnuts, SALT PEAnuts – quoth the Diz evermore – Vinnie and MS – VINNie and MS – and Lee moved a few inches and Harry grabbed her by the arm and yanked her back, Where doya think ya goin, queeny, grabbing her wrist and forcing it between his legs. I gotta nice hunka meat forya and Vinnie yelled, Is she tryin ta get fresh witya man? and they both roared and Lee started to panic, trying to free her arm, but Harry squeezed tighter and twisted until she screeched, Stop, Stop! Youre hurting me you vile fairy (wonderful, wonderful. This should teach you a lesson you evil queen.
He
is what you deserve. VINNie and MS – VINNie and MS – cause we’re having a party and the people are nice, and the people are nice …) and Harrys eyes bugged even more and he stood up and pulled Lee off the couch, comon motherfucka. You wanna look like a broad ya gonna get fucked like one (Camille shoved her fingers in her mouth, rose halfway then fell back onto the couch and inched her way to the other end (but hes not like
that
(?))) – Hey Vinnie, comeon. Lets throw a hump intaer. Shit man, Im down. Letsgo. He grabbed her other arm and they started dragging her to the bedroom, screaming, screeching, crying, pleading and they roared and twisted her arms then Harry grabbed her by her hair, her precious golden shoulder length hair, and slapped her face. Comeon ya cocksucker. Stop theshit. Hey Malfie, open the door. Malfie opened the door and grinned as they dragged Lee in, and Goldie shrieked and ran from the room, the door slamming behind her. She listened to Lee screaming and the guys slapping her and cursing as they ripped her dress off … then Goldie swallowed a half dozen bennies; Camille looked at Georgette, who hadnt moved (No, No! No you fucking bitch. VINNie VINNie … VINNIE!!! Not with Lee. I love you Vinnie. I love you. He will see my red spangled G string. Please Vinnie. Vinnie …), Camille looked at Georgette then at Sal as he wobbled across the room toward her. No room in there. He opened his fly and yanked out his cock (Its so big. And red. Be careful of your eyes. Put your arms around his ass) O???? O … Sal? Sal dont. Sal? Please. Ple – I got a big lob forya. Sa – he shoved it in
her mouth and grabbed her long-shining-wavy-auburn-hair – Lee stopped squirming as Vinnie and Malfie held her and Harry mounted her. Vaseline. Vaseline! Please, not without vaseline. Vinnie handed her the jar, then Lee said alright then closed her eyes and cringed as Harry lunged viciously then put her arms around him and her legs around his waist. Vinnie and Malfie leaned against the wall and Harrys sweat fell on Lees face and she smiled and sucked his neck and groaned, hoping he would never come, that he would continue to lunge and lunge and lunge … – Thats the way Camille. Thats it HAHA OOOOO Hey, take it easy with yatongue, and Camille clutched at his belt hoping she was doing it properly; and Goldie took the syrette from her pocket, calmer now that the screaming had stopped, and though she did not approve of Camille having public sex like that she had to admit that she did not have much choice in the matter, and they did so seem to enjoy each other (I hope Malfie wont be completely useless after this), and turned on. Everything seems to have developed beautifully – He had to help his friends. Of course. Why shouldnt he help Harry fuck her. Cause we’re having a party and the people are nice, and the people are nice … – Harry took a slip from a drawer and wiped his cock. I bet yaknow youve been fucked! Harry and Malfie laughed and Lee watched Vinnie as he mounted her then closed her eyes and wrapped her legs around his hips – Goldie went back to the living room and sat on the couch, ignoring Camille and Sal, watched the smoke drift from her mouth and the sound waves from the radio; and Sals legs shook and he bent at the knees and Camille grunted and gurgled, moving her head fantastically, digging her nails into his ass, trying to get every inch of his cock in her mouth – Soon. Soon … (Quaff, oh, quaff this kind nepenthe); and we will hear tugboat whistles blowing high … – Sal put his pants over the back of a chair and stretched out with a new cigarette and drink; Camille went to the bathroom with her nail brush, finger brush, hand brush, hair brush and toothbrush – The guys came out of the bedroom, sweat pouring from their faces, and filled glasses with gin and ice. Lee called to Miss Goldie and asked her if she could borrow a dress, and she told her, Of course. The gorgeous blue number I wore to the DRAG BALL last year is in the closet if you
want it. Thank you, but I think it would be better if I wore something simple, an afternoon dress will do. Something I can slip out of easily. Yeah! HAHAHAHARRR The guys took a few more bennie each and sauntered back into the living room. Hey Sal, whatta yadoin? posin fa holy pictures? They all roared and Goldie looked with pride at Malfie. Vinnie sat next to Georgette and stuck a wet finger in her ear. How yadoin Georgie? O Vincent (of course he did not) dont do that, squirming and trying to giggle but she couldnt fight the momentum of the centrifuge and her face only twisted. Whats the matta? got a booboo? You like the Bird? Bird? Hey whats withya sweetchips, pinching her cheek and turning to the others, ya been eatin birdseed? laughing and looking around the room. O snapping his fingers, yamean the Raven thing. Yeah, Yeah, sure. Take me inside Vinnie(?) dropping her hand on his leg. Whatsa matta? ya hungry? rubbing her hand in his crotch. It takes loot tado me sweetchips, looking around the room lifting his glass to his mouth, the gin slobbering down his chin, how much yagot? I have love, I have love – (Camille came back from the bathroom, fresh and clean, her hair so neatly brushed, the highlights gleaming, swishing ever so gaily across the room. O really Miss Thing, one would think it was the first cock you ever sucked. Camille fluttered a few fingers at Goldie and sat beside Sal) – I have love and the Bird. (O god not after
her
. Vinnie. O Vinnie. Please. That was so long ago. So long ago. When? When? It was my brother and the G string) – Lee stepped from the bedroom and hurried to the bathroom. I dont know why she doesnt keep at least a hair brush in there – (Goldies not half as attractive as I) still silent and trying, trying to smile coquettishly, but it wouldnt come, it wouldnt come. And the Bird was gone. Gone! Only a Raven. Nevermore … and she whirled and whirled and whirled and sounds whirled and smoke whirled and Vinnie laughed, he laughed. Vinnie laughed and soon he would pick her up and carry her to the bedroom … A voice A voice. O God, not his john. I cant. Not now. Not after – Lee clicked into the room wearing a pair of Sheilas stockings and best shoes and sat daintly and looked at Harrys wet, dirty, smug, leering face … happy, O so happy that she wasnt a degenerate freak like that pervert; but loving his vicious prick and the next time we will be alone and he can be as freaky as he
wants, and suck my tongue, and he will come around many times … if I want him to. She looked at Georgette and lifted an eyebrow. What are you on honey? (bitch! Evil Bitch! Leave me alone!) Well common Georgie. Getup somea those chips. Ya dont want yadinner taget cold, doya?