29 July 2003

ticket avoided

he was driving home through a warm night, top down, wind in his hair, music blasting, strangely soothing. passing cars, taking sharp calculated turns through apex, running yellow lights, roaring cobra happy to oblige. good night in the club. many friends approached, talked and faded away. many tanqueray and tonics downed, count lost. many bodies observed, appreciated and some stored in memory for future drawing use. many good, some nostalgic, songs heard. his mind was in peace, at last.

last turn on first avenue before getting home, tires squeal. echoing sound of another set of squealing tires made him slam breaks, seconds before blue and red lights turned on behind him. pulling over. cop, visibly shaken, flashlights him for a while.

- sir, your license, registration, and proof of insurance please.
...
- your insurance is out of date.
- oh, i have it at home, just forgot to drop it in the car.
- sir, do you understand that i could write you tickets right now for a thousand dollars? your insurance is out of date, your turn signal is broken, you were waving in and out of traffic like a race driver, i had to drive almost 60 on residential streets just to keep up with you.
- yes. sorry. (not if you take my alcohol level test)
- where do you live, sir?
- right here.
...
- ok, go home and drive carefully next time.
- thank you. i definitely will.

was cop impressed with his driving skills? hmmm...
he smiled, pulling away. she will love to hear this story...oh yeah...tears filled his eyes, blinding, turning lights of traffic and bars into one mess. he took left turn into alley, pressing garage opener button, and was smashed dead by garbage track. silence.

at last.