Box Seat

I had Box Seat written against the entry and had given the bookkeeper a hand with it. She was not just the accounting secretary I had expected, but the keeper of books ready for press. Announcing "Done", I tucked the manuscript upon the high shelf that she specified but could not reach. After which she gently chided Carmichael, my actual patron, for not being more demonstrative. I grasped him by both hands and could not let them go. Well, at least until the keeper held up to him the payment to give to me. Carmichael seemed grateful that the purse cancelled my demonstration.

Shortly thereafter, even with most of my debts paid, I had coin remaining for celebration. So, I went forth to do just that. Landing at a dance hall and drinking establishment in the only quarter open at this hour, I found a perch. Unmindful of shame and rumbling out of the curiosity underneath, the drink made me wrap up both a darkling maid and a white-clad mannequin in a terpsichorean whirl. Sooner more than later, the darkling faded into some shadow and I was left with the made-up doll and her light steps. We had a word or two about the one who'd departed, then danced closer in slow silence for a time.

Now suddenly lifting up her eyes to mine and speaking in a different manner, she said she was sorry and reliant upon me to be so too. I couldn't imagine what either of us had done to warrant it. I stopped dancing however. It was her look, appealing with her eyes in such a way that nothing she could have said would have had more effect.

Shortly I felt the presence of someone behind me and so I turned. Mr Vasquez made his introduction after checking himself and pausing a long time. He then watched me out of the corner of his eye while addressing the girl. "There'll be a blunt world. I had emerged by another door and stood in the street for a little while. I held many a grave gaze and did not abandon the calling to which I should be devoted."

Vasquez made as though to shake my hand but pressed half a crown into my palm. Still his eyes and his words were on the woman. "I was got up in a special great coat and shawl expressly to do honour to that which you had promised."

I held up the given coin and turned it with curiosity, not knowing what was the import of it.

The terse gent spoke again, now to me, "Suppose you were to go down into the old part of the country, for instance."

Ah, so that was it, being bought that these two could complete some as yet undisclosed transaction? I could have had worse. He'd not suggested a long walk off a short pier, nor bodily pitched me through the front glass. He'd simply paid me off.

The painted mannequin in white tried to turn and leave, but a gloved hand shot out to catch her arm, "Not you." Vasquez planned to be persistent and since he was larger than me by many nights of beef and mutton, I stepped back. I went to fetch my hat, lifting it from the hook by the narrow flat brim, while I tucked the new coin into my close-fitting drab trousers.

Neither maid nor man gave a muddy look at me again. She that had appeared so beautiful as to be deserving of my gratitude for a dance, was now being escorted from the hall. I did chance to hear a bit of explanation as he gathered her and they passed.

The quieter voice was deep and strong enough to be heard beneath the music, "You've had your run and I, not so merry, chased. Past time to earn your dowry which I already paid and your groom may have spent thinking he'd have to forget you. But I'll not have it. You'll make the bond for which I gave my word."

As the thick gloved fingers puckered the sleeve of the mannequin's white dress, I heard her whisper sarcastic resignation, "Of all things in the world, father, I should like it best."

Time for me to go home. I'd already tendered my box seat, twice.