"BUDDY, CAN YOU SPARE A DIME?"
~ By Absolutely*Kate
"Hey Joe -- "
"I ain't your Joe - get outta my way."
"Buddy, I don't wanta get in your way. I just wanta steamy cup o'joe, mebbe a piece o'pie, then I'll know -- "
"Know whut?"
"Why I'm on this streetcorner not named Desire."
"You take a wrong turn wise guy?"
"Could say that."
"In life or down the road?"
"Could say that too."
"So you got a story -- "
"Hey Buddy, everyone's got a story. I used to build dreams, be on top of the job, plow the earth, brandish a gun into warzones, you know, all the natural stuff."
"Don't give me any funny bizness Mister, I just stopped to listen to ya jaw."
"I'm jes tellin' you, they said there'd be peace and glory ahead, and now -- "
"You're outta bread?"
"Could say that."
"I just did."
"Musta been where I heard it then."
"Hey Bub, I got places to go, things to do, folks to see, ya know. Whattya want from me?"
"You don't recognize me do you Joe? You used ta call me Al. I was your pal. We wore khaki suits like no get out and caroused towns some nights when it felt like there were no tomorrows."
"Al?"
"S'right."
"Damn it man - what the hell happened?"
"I ain't whistlin' Yankee Doodle ditties no more. That's the score."
"But we had high hopes in you. Where'd it go sour man?"
"There's a Depression goin' on, ya mighta heard sumthin 'bout it."
"But Al, you were such a swell -- "
"Don't wanta give you no song and dance now Joe. Me? I got places I gotta figger to go too."
"Sorry man, whatcha want from me?"
"Hey Buddy, can you spare a dime?"
Absolutely*kate
© 2011 ~ Author Absolutely*Kate
~ Another debut AT THE BIJOU
Illustration ala 123RFStock Photos
Boy oh boy, Al Jolson could belt 'em, huh?
