Monday, April 11, 2011

out of mind

He was dead before she heard the thump on the floor. That's my guess. No ID. Only thing in his pockets is this slip of paper with...here it is...get this, Charlie...'avoid Spinoza at all costs.' Looks like the ink pen exploded after that. The Grand Tour started three blocks away, not in a straight line of course, diving off the rim of a wine goblet spread eagle, somersaulting over a series of shot glasses after breaking a window out of the Simmons' place. Mrs. Simmons said he was red-eyed. Let's see. I wrote it down. Wait. Oh, here it is - no biggy. He called her Mrs. cinnamon. 'Twirled his hands when he said it.' Warm wine gestures. Actually demanded champagne iced in a wicker basket and complained her ice cube trays were empty in the freezer. Quite attractive woman. Beautiful elfin eyes. Walnut-brown hair. Told her he wanted chignon champagne whatever that is. Then he waltzed in the unlocked back door here, two in the morning out of the chill of the night, and went in search of slamming cupboard doors to hook up with a cooking sherry IV. Muddy footprints right out of a cheap detective dime novel on the counter where he tried to curl up like handcuffed Houdini in the cupboard with the bottle I guess.

Stumbling into the other room looking for a night cap I figure that trembling parrot up on the ceiling fan startled him more than he scared it. Down boy! That's not the way you call birds? Maybe tongue clicking will drop it. I guess it'll come down eventually. Maybe it's a chignon bird. No? Well, it sure the hell ain't a magpie. Anyway she heard the thud as she descended the stairs wearing nothing but a white robe, her hair bobbing in the back. I wish I could remember what they call that bobbing hair girls wear. Look under the sheet. What a wicked smile, eyes wide open, ready for his closeup. Must've been amused at that final blurred vision of ruffling blue and orange feathers as he slipped on a banana peel into the unknown. Get him the hell out of here.

12 Comments:

Blogger Michael R. Dages said...

This comment has been removed by the author.

4/12/2011 1:30 AM  
Blogger Michael R. Dages said...

Interesting use of familiar certain words, all fused together. Not a bad slice of storytelling, very 'phil-esque'. One of your very best I think. So I'll have drink to this one. Do you have any champgne or wine?

4/12/2011 1:39 AM  
Blogger Isabel Doyle said...

clever use of phrases and quite intriguing - well done

4/12/2011 8:12 AM  
Blogger Brother Ollie said...

Keep sketching lad.

4/12/2011 8:37 AM  
Blogger Tess Kincaid said...

The old Cinnamon place, er, I mean Simmons place, conjures images of Don Knotts and Mr. Chicken. Thanks for the giggles, Phil.

4/12/2011 1:42 PM  
Blogger Helen said...

Is the word you are searching for 'chignon' ... really great this one!

4/12/2011 3:18 PM  
Blogger Margaret Pangert said...

Amazing poetic prose. It seems to be told from a surreal point of view. I can see it as a play! Can you imagine?! With the parrot flying perilously around the room?! Fun, Phil!

4/12/2011 11:13 PM  
Blogger hyperCRYPTICal said...

Black and white movie. Humphrey Bogart. I can see it and feel the pace. Grand stuff!

Anna :o]

4/13/2011 5:41 PM  
Blogger phil said...

thanks for all the kind words. :)

~p

4/14/2011 7:44 PM  
Blogger Trellissimo said...

Houdini on a worktop? What a picture! LOL

4/15/2011 9:40 AM  
Blogger Reflections said...

Cleverly done... wonderful who dun it!

4/16/2011 12:13 AM  
Blogger Vinay Leo R. said...

very well written! nice narration!

My Magpie Post

4/17/2011 1:40 PM  

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