[Verse 1: close female lead; bass and dry drums] I closed it with one finger. The latch slid into place. I didn't have to brace my shoulder. I tried it once again. I took my dinner to the sofa. Nobody asked if I'd been fed. I ate until the plate was empty. Then nearly called you up again. [Pre-Chorus: the bass keeps moving] I wanted you to hear me put another record on. I wanted no one watching. I let the whole side run. [Chorus: melodic lift; heavy clipped chords] Come empty-handed. Friday after six. Tell me how your day went. The ugly bits as well. Come empty-handed. There's enough for two. I know the way you take your tea. I want to make it for you. [Verse 2: rhythmic and close; guitar waits between phrases] On Thursday I found your screwdriver. I reached to photograph it. An easy little reason you would never turn me down. I put it in the drawer instead. Left the shelf a little crooked. It took me half an hour to call without a job for you. [Bridge: exposed bass; no loss of pulse] Your mother called you twice one evening. I talked through all the ringing. You turned the phone face down and stayed until I'd finished. I never asked what she had wanted. I knew you'd catch the final bus. I stood there waving from the window. You turned and waved back up. [Chorus: fuller voice; the same invitation] Come empty-handed. Friday after six. Tell me how your day went. The ugly bits as well. Come empty-handed. There's enough for two. I know the way you take your tea. I want to make it for you. [Outro: guitar drops out; bass and drums stay gentle] You ask me what needs doing. I say, "Are you hungry?" I hear you breathing down the line. I give you time to answer. [Instrumental: two quiet turns of the bass figure; stop without a final vocal]
