AUT Master of Creative Writing Thesis Exegesis - Scholarly ...

AUT Master of Creative Writing 2008
Shorty © Michael Botur 2009
‘That sheet’s a list of stuff what yous’ve done in your cleaning. Don’t
worry bout the bit where it says ‘cleaning floors,’ that’s a typo, it’s sposda
be ‘cleaning f-l-a-w-s.’ Just have a think and, sorta, maybe improve just a
teency bit? That’d be choice.’ He got up and opened the front door and let
the cleaner out into the sunshine and spittle. ‘Have a think about it.
Wouldn’t want you to cost yourselves a job.’ He winced.
‘Danal, Prayag, every day he is– ’
‘I know I know. Oi: tighten your belt. Honestly, it’s what the Manager’ll
yous. Tighten your belt.’ He looked down at the rope around her waist.
‘FYI, you can buy working class pants and cut out the middle man. Middle
man’ll fleece ya.’
He pulled out his cigarettes and waited with his arms folded while
Jyoti scurried across the road, forced the window down and woke Prayag.
They disputed something and moaning noises came from the thing in the
duvet. After a minute, Prayag left the car, wearing the duvet as a cape
secured with one hand. In the other hand was a can. He crossed the road
and approached Danny, leading his small partner, and came up to
Danny’s chin and said
‘Don’t go tellin my missus to tighten her belt. D’you understand what
I’m saying? You tight-en your own fuck-in’ belt.’
He grabbed Danny’s belt buckle, drew him close then pushed him
away. He burped, overriding the smell of bleach. Then he said to Jyoti,
‘Oi,’ and went back to bed in the Laser. Jyoti hesitated. A passing car
nearly ran Prayag over, and cursed him with a long honk. Prayag’s feet
returned to the car window.
It wasn’t pleasant outside in the world. Danny shook his head and
spat on the wheelchair ramp. As Jyoti went to follow her partner, Danny
seized her elbow.
‘We sweet?’
She said thank you and ‘We will be the rubbish taking out on the
Tuesday night,’ but she followed Danny back into reception, tinkling the
bell. Danny gave her a quizzical look.
‘Oh, right,’ he said. He picked up the World Vision box and tipped it
until coins came out, a few silvers and one gold. He caught them before
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