Intro (Seagulls. Arcade machine. Count-in.) "It's cash only." Of course it is. --- Verse 1 Stopped for chips beside the pier, Clouds doing overtime. You bought extra vinegar, I stole half your lime. The woman at the fryer Didn't blink or smile. She'd probably watched the sea For forty-seven miles. Chorus Three chips and a divorce, Wrapped in yesterday's news. Bit too much salt, Nothing left to lose. Three chips and a divorce, Extra ketchup on the side. Best thing on the menu Was the argument outside. Verse 2 Couple by the window Splitting up quite quietly. He kept hold of the receipt, She took custody of the tea. Neither touched the mushy peas. Both ignored the gulls. The fryer beeped exactly once. Nobody called their bluff. Middle Eight You asked if love Always ends like lunch. I said, "I hope not." Then dropped my chip. --- Chorus Three chips and a divorce, Under fluorescent light. One walked toward the arcade, One disappeared from sight. Three chips and a divorce, Seaside special for two. Funny how a paper tray Can outlast "I love you." Guitar Break (Bright, angular guitar riff over a bouncing bass line. Handclaps enter for eight bars.) Final Verse Back inside the hatchback, Windows full of steam. You found a chip beneath the seat From somebody else's dream. Didn't throw it out. Didn't ask me why. Some things seem important When you're only driving by. Final Chorus Three chips and a divorce, Neither one was ours. Still talked about it For another hundred miles. Three chips and a divorce, Wrapped up with the coast. Funny how the smallest things... Stick with you the most. Outro The gull got the last chip. Fair enough.
