VACANCY 1972

A MAN APPLIES AT AN ART SHOP ABOUT A VACANCY IN 1972

I saw it in the window
of an art shop
vacancy apply within
so I went in to apply

an old guy with a moustache
came up to me and said
can I help you Sir?

I've come about the vacancy

o Abela there's a man here
about that vacancy

a young woman came in
from the back of the shop
she was shorter than I was
neat and compact
with dark hair

you've come
about the vacancy?

yes I saw it
as I was passing by
I said

have you worked
in an art shop before?

no not in any shop

she frowned
she had a nice forehead
what makes you think
you can be of help to us?

I like art
and I know most
of the genres of art
and artist's names

she looked past me
then back at me
are you an artist?

no I'm a poet

she walked away
a few paces then
turned to gaze
at the passing people
outside the shop window

look it's nearly 1pm
maybe we can go next door
to the public house
and have lunch
and talk things over
she said

sure I'd like that
I said

so we left the old guy
in charge of the shop
and went into the bar

we ordered and sat down
with our drinks
and a round of sandwiches

what is you name
how old are you?
she said

my name's Benny
and 24 years old

she was younger
by a year or so

and what was your
previous occupation?
she said

I studied her as she spoke
she had white teeth
and a smallish tongue

I was a nurse  

she frowned

why aren't you
still a nurse?

too long hours
and crap pay

she leaned back
in her chair
and flicked back
her hair

are you an artist?
I asked

she nodded

what kind of art
do you do?
Pop Art
she said

I sipped my drink
(small scotch)

what kind of poetry
do you write?

modern none
of that Wordsworth
kind of thing

she leaned forward
holding a sandwich

I noted the impression
of her neat tits

we close on Sundays
but you can have
another day off
in the week
but not Saturdays
as that is our busiest day
I have Wednesdays off
as I like a break in my week
she said

I've got the job?
I said

a month's trial
she said
and told me
the rates of pay
and the hours

so we ate and drank
and then we returned to the shop
and she said
see you Tuesday then
9am

ok
I said
and watched her walk
back up into the rear
of the shop

I waited as people
behind me walked pass
she had a fine sway
and neat a*s.