57
Now, the future stretched on ahead interminably. He felt like an untethered astronaut drifting through a void toward nothing other than eventual expiry. The thought was so potent it became a sensation that burned in his stomach and lodged in his throat. He tried to swallow it down. Continue reading
56
“You mean, you fucked a woman in a brothel who wasn’t a hooker, to start with, and you didn’t have to pay for it?”
There was a taint to Wally’s incredulity, as if somehow he should be able to go back and claim a refund, or possibly a voucher. Continue reading
55
She shifted her hands from his chest to his back. Her nails gently depressed his skin the way a cat uses its claws to establish a precise hold. Continue reading
54
“I’ve told you more than I tell my psychiatrist,” Pat continued.
“How much do pay him?”
“Her. About the same as what one of you people charge.”
“She doesn’t tell you what you want to hear, does she?”
“Unfortunately, no.” Continue reading
53
“I am sitting, alone, in a brothel,” he said out loud.
The door slid back; it was the hostess. She carried a pitcher of water and some glasses.
“Hi, Patrick?” she said. “Mind if I sit down?” Continue reading
52
“Hi,” said the last one. “My name’s Eileen. I’m the new girl.”
“This is true. But the rest of us are only a little used,” said Monique.
“I’m twenty, and I do most things. I’m open to discussion.” Continue reading
51
The door opened and in the opening stood Roller Girl. “You don’t need us after all!” she said.
“We will if he strips down,” said Pat, pointing at Wally. Continue reading
50
Pat had figured out where they were going once they got into the backstreets of South Melbourne. Continue reading
49
Inside, isolated clusters of people leaned and loitered. Pat rested on the bar, looking first to make sure he didn’t put his arms in any fluids sitting on the surface. Sally saw him and came over. She was wearing her white-singlet-and-cowboy-hat combo. She arched an eyebrow. Continue reading
48
In addition to playing drums, Wally had hosted a punk rock radio show on 3PBS, one of Melbourne’s alternative community radio stations. Continue reading
Theme Park at its Darkest 