Phone ring “Hello who’s this?” “Graham — who you expectin’? Who’s on your list?” “It’s ME — Candy Man — don’t you forget the biz!” “Didn’t recognise ya — accent did a weird whiz!” “Caught a cold — Ma Italian — Yorkshire dad provided the jizz!” “Dude — more than I needed to know” Still I'm hoping you help since I paid for that blow." “You’re insane — off the rails — that’s what is! After last time? You still dial? You still wanna quiz? Punched you once — I thought we were done — that’s the biz!” “Hold on — don’t hang — hear me out — don’t dismiss! Paid the price — swallowed the cost took the hit! The eye thing? Misjudged — moved too quick — admit! When you hit me? Felt fair — I was fine with it! Billy Cheese? Whatever he said — give me one more bit!” “I’m not a sweet you chew then spit — I’m full of grit!” Philosophy — Royal Holloway — graduated with a three Spent more time partying than the books I could see Look for work that pays well — minimum graft — that’s the key Pride said “Corrupt Bob — or lock him up till he’s blue” Throw him in with lifers — they’ll know what to do Either turn him crooked or end him either way I accrue But do it myself? Too much heat — I’m passing the screw Find a patsy — take the credit — keep my hands clean too “Bob wouldn’t bite — slipped right out the door that night Girls and drugs? He wasn’t buying wouldn’t take the bite Now Pride says frame him — plant the goods — set it right Bob dropped his wallet when he left — I’ve got it in my sight Pin the rap on him — easy — done — sealed tight So who you gonna call? The man who knows dark and light!” Silence stretches — dead air — then a voice cuts bright “Let me parse this — Devil sought you out, correct? Paid you coin — said make Bob a wreck — disconnect? You came to ME — threw a bash — got wrecked — got checked Bob bailed — YOU partied — even though you're a pain in the neck? Devil’s displeased — Bob’s not charred not marked — not set Needs him seasoned — needs him street — needs threat His soul from fresh linen to blackened net And you thought — CANDY’S MY GUY that’s the best bet?” “You’re spot on! Exactly — you get the gist!” Voice laughs low: “Don’t worry — I insist Grab a pen — write this down — don’t resist Do exactly as I say — list every twist Then this number’s dead — gone — no more exist Don’t search — don’t speak — don’t ever persist Cross me and you’ll never see the morning mist Do we understand — take me off your list?” GRAHAM THINKS HE’S PULLING STRINGS — BUT HE’S THE PUPPET STRUNG! THINKS HE’S THE HUNTER — TILL THE TRAP IS SPRUNG! CANDY RANDY CANDY MAN WAS AROUND NO MORE HE LAY DEAD ON SOMEONE ELSE’S FLOOR! THE VOICE HE HEARD WASN’T HIM AT ALL JUST SOMEONE GLAD SOMEONE COULD CATCH THE FALL! GRAHAM RIDES THE BIKE — FOLLOWS THE MAP — DOES AS TOLD BUT THE GAME WAS OVER BEFORE THE DICE WAS ROLLED! Candy’s gone — stone still — mattress on his chest RJ’s on the phone — ad-libbing doing his best Jenny hisses: “Why’d you answer? We don’t want the test! If they trace this back — we’re all under arrest!” Clive beneath the desk: “Don’t panic I digressed Found something — pull the posters west to west!” Safe swings open — stacks of cash — ledger the same Clive grins: “Not magic — just played the game — Saw the numbers — figured they weren’t just for show or fame” RJ: Said “Split the cash — you earned it — no one’s to blame Bunni — yours — long overdue — the same Rest to the church — pay it forward — reclaim!” “Beautiful — but let’s move — before we’re named!” Bob’s on the sofa — Eve curled close — watching the box Hugging close in just a top and some socks Ding dong — doorbell — Bob checks the feed — can’t believe what’s seen “Eve — there’s a copper — straight-faced — sharp and keen!” Eve said “Don’t glance at me — I’ve done nothing — clean — serene” Bob retorted: “Nor me — but let’s find out what this means… …Though — err — gimme a sec — get some panties on — Just let them know i won’t be long…” Officer Farenden — eyes like flint — demeanour lean “Robert Jones? This wallet — ever seen?” “Yes! I was sure I Left it at Graham’s — he said it hadn’t been!” “Graham? He’s in custody — that’s the scene Tried to rob the post office — balaclava — obscene Kept lifting his scarf — couldn’t speak — couldn’t be seen Dropped your wallet on purpose — staged the whole routine We were waiting outside — we knew where he’d been.” He leaves — Bob shakes his head — “What’s this all about, queen?” “Beats me — hey — Mavis is loose — let’s intervene” Garden air — soft and warm — stars above unfold Bob steps forward — reaches out — then he feels it cold That same sensation — déjà vu — the grip — the hold He turns to Eve — sees her there — then the ground takes hold He’s looking up — she’s beside him — both laid out — still — cold Mavis the guinea pig — munching grass — calm — untold No grand speech — no big fight — just the story’s fold Bob whispers low — final line — all he can control… Oh bugger… Dead again…
