Category: The Twelve Pack

 

It was a competitive course
marked in the prospectus with an asterix.

* restricted entry

Many call – few get chosen –
postgraduate,
those who have done well. Very well.
The clever.
The entitled.
The swollen headed.
The supercilious.
All were some of the above,
some were all of the above.
The elite
Miss Jean Brodie’s crème de la crème
in the prime, of ego
early, very early, 20s.

Day 1
students meet staff. Staff meet students
clockwise introduction of self and interests –
five minutes, from now
coffee, and home.

Day 2
opening day of business
head of department, for one hour
of housekeeping and “ where to go for …..
    •   If murder has been committed: him
    •   if manslaughter: his secretary
    •   for everything else : Edward.”

 

“ Edward , is one of life’s gems
this department would not function without him
I don’t want any of you upsetting him in any way.”

Most had already joined the dots : gay –
then not yet accepted
derisible
and
risible,
easy and no limit prey. Game season is closed – indefinitely.

 

It was the age of Aquarius
women could and were doing anything
and to blame for nothing
that was men’s doing.
In this case each was partly to blame
she for leading,
me for following.
Melanie from tutorial group
attractive, intelligent, and according to the bush telegraph, single.
Did I want to go to the protest march with her?
Did I what!!!
Mobs –
like atoms –
orbits and nucleus,
common sense would have advised an early exit
self-preservation, before it was too late –
an 18-year-old has neither.

The police had had enough
were in no mood for kid gloves
GET IN THERE …..
At the station the processing officers were grim, severe
and pessimistic –
you’ve wasted police time and resources –
court tomorrow – with the strongest charge we can bring
We were all scared shitless
until the duty commander arrived and said,
“ you realise you’ve fucked up my afternoon nap.”

I didn’t know him well – during or after
he didn’t do close, or small talk.
Cryptic –
once saying life was like running
some needed longer than others.
Casual when he employed me – as a casual – for three months
pro forma felt obliged to offer credentials
seasonal worker he said
“one day’s notice, or eight hours pay.” Got that.

Perhaps he had nothing to prove
or other responsibilities
wife, three children, large loan and stalking interest rates
left no discretionary attention.
The facts of employment life comprised our longest conversation
until
I told him about the position
and the interview.
Indigent, new graduated, it was a great opportunity
“ Tuesday ” – could I have the day off.

He never actually gave permission
he didn’t say “ yes,”
or “ okay,”
or even nod.
He stated I needed to be well turned out,
that it was too far to bike
He said, “ you can borrow my car.”