He's late.

I think to myself as I stand here on a corner in the middle of Broadway. Throngs of people jostle and push as they walk pass me but I remain fixed in my place. I quickly scan the crowd ahead and behind but I do not see him. I take another look at my Rolex and I realise that it's almost time for lunch. I think Why not? and walk towards Oportos a few metres away. I take another look at my watch as I grasp tightly my leather briefcase in the other hand.

After purchasing my order, I try to find a place to sit. I decide to eat outside, as it will be easier for him to locate me. I rest my briefcase on the chair next to me as I unfold the paper napkin on my lap. I tuck another below my chin and over my collar. A couple of passer-bys stare at me, but I don't care. No point staining my pants and suit, especially since they are Versace. And I definitely do not want the burger's greasy juices to stain my 150 dollars tie. The same goes for my silk white long-sleeved Giorgio Armani T-shirt. Heaven forbid anything to desecrate this 350 dollars investment.

Now, you might find it peculiar for a yuppie like me who can afford a thousand dollar suit to eat cheaply at an Oportos offering complete set meals at less than 10 dollars. Well, call me old-fashioned. Perhaps it is the nostalgia that attracts me here; I use to lodge here in Unilodge when I was a young man fresh from being accepted to Sydney U. Every night, I would go down to Oportos for dinner. Sure, it's not healthy but hey, I was too lazy to cook (and I was a bad one at that too). Their menu hasn't changed much, but it is still good. I have always chosen the same meal ever since I lived here: Their Bondi Burger set. I mean, why change your menu if you already like a particular one? Old-fashioned. Yup. That's me in a nutshell.

I lick my lips as I continue to munch on the half-eaten morsel. King Street is still busy as usual, as a few buses stop near the bus stop about 10 metres away. Passengers board and depart the busses, like herded cows to a slaughterhouse. On my right, I can see the Fila sign flashing at me from the Sports Shop. It is another typical weekend in Broadway. I'm

~*~*~*~*~

bored. As usual.

Bah. I wish I had some cash on me. It's bad enough mum threw me out of the house today just 'cause I weren't doing anything. I don't even have anything. Let alone get a bus ride. Not even enough for a smoke. Fuck. I need a smoke. Bad. Maybe I might be able to find a few spare coins underneath the video game cabinets at Playtime later.

Is that Ailya I see over there? Damn, looks like she's still trying her luck in front of Redfern station again. Old bitch. Have 2 kids and pretty much both of them are useless as fuck. No use trying to ask for spare change there Ailya; them selfish white devils won't spare a dollar to us Abbos. I bet they have change up to 5 bucks in them pockets but they ain't ever give much to ya: I tried before. 50 cents if ya lucky. Them devils rather leave their change at them fancy restaurants where they give you crap service, but you're still expected to tip them or else you lose face. Fucking cheap cunts.

Day after day, I see the same shit: Rich white and yellow kids walking past the station as they make their way to school. Hah. Don't think I'll ever be smart enough to enter those fancy white-ass buildings. It'll be a fucking miracle if I ever manage to step a foot on their grounds. They'll never let some punk like me within a metre of their fancy carved gates. I should know. I tried last summer, and they booted me out faster you can say Bunyip!

I continue to walk towards in the direction of City Street as I pass yet another familiar face. It's Mikey. He's still selling that shit around to all the other kids around here. Can't believe that cunt is still doing it right after he got let out. What else can you do when you don't have any other skills and you got 3 brothers and sisters to feed? Not to mention that hardly anyone wants to employ Abbos. At least that shit pays the bills until one those damn pigs come along and start searching all over the place. Fuckers. How come I never see them pigs conduct these kind of shit in places like Leidchart or Moore Park? But no...they have to do it in...where else? Redfern. Why can't they live us alone? Why can't they let us live in peace, instead of coming down to keep hassling us all the time?

Well, maybe my luck today will be better. Yesterday was crap. At least the week before last was better. Got mum some pills for her cough and sputum. Managed to get a little something for Meli as well. Dammit, sometimes I wish she weren't my sis; she deserves better than this shit. Dad's still not back yet. Probably lying face down stoned and passed-out somewhere in the city. I don't give a shit about him anymore. He's

~*~*~*~*~

still late.

I'd rather be back home in the apartment watching 'Beauties and the Beast'. That damn fat bastard always crack me up with his commentaries, together with the ladies as his co-hosts. The pompous fat-ass usually likes to end his arguments with the 'beauties' on-air by repeatedly saying that he's right and that no one can challenge his authority. Funny. Then what the hell are the women on the show are actually for? Maybe it's to improve his image or something. *chuckle*

Damn, my patience is wearing thin. Doesn't he know that I've been preparing for this meeting for a fortnight already?

Oh wait, I forgot. He doesn't know it's a surprise.

But still, he's usually here at this time. I know, because I come here everyday (except on Fridays, where I have business lunch with the senior executive board members at Takuya's) and I see his face outside Oportos. He's usually with his friends of his; that's why he hasn't noticed me much these last two weeks. No matter. Today, I'm sure he would give me his undivided attention.

I guess I'll wait here for a while. Sooner or later, he must show up. Besides, I'm sitting outside Oporto's this time: He should notice me this time. Today

~*~*~*~*~

is my lucky day.

White devil in sight. What do we have here? A lone expensive-looking briefcase sitting on the chair? Heh. Might contain some good shit. The briefcase looks like it's made of good skin too. Maybe I'll be able to cash it later. Shit. If I'm lucky, maybe I'll be able to treat Jake and Ayum to a Mac after I get my other stuff first.

He's looking around. Must be waiting for some bitch to screw around.

Should I take this risk? He might see me...

Fuck it. I need the money.

Have to be careful now not to attract his attention...luckily them too many people here passing here. He won't see me coming. I'll just try to get closer and act normal.

Closer...

Closer...

Wait. Is he looking this way?

No. He's turned around. *Phew*

Closer...

Just a bit more...

. . .

NOW!

~*~*~*~*~

Oh well...looks like he's not comi...

What the...?

FUCK! My briefcase!

I stand up immediately, causing my lap to knock over the table and my chair to rock back. I see a young, scruffy abbo kid running away from me heading towards the block of shanty flats ahead with my briefcase in his hand. I try running after him but there are too many people around. I scream for help as two men ahead of me attempt to chase him but it's no use. He's already out of sight. Damn, he's a fast kid.

The two Samaritans who tried to catch him return to me panting, out of breath. They apologise for not being able to get a hold of him. Flustered, I say that it is I who should apologise for troubling them and I thank them for trying to help retrieve my briefcase. A small crowd of people has already gathered around us. A few of them are urging me to report it to the police. I assure them that I will and once again said thanks to everybody who tried to help. A lady from the crowd asks me whether I lost anything important.

Heh.

Well, not exactly.

I smile at her and say

~*~*~*~*~

YES!

Goddamn...! It's my lucky day alright. Didn't get caught this time. Heh heh. Now, where do I open this? Wait: this old store door looks weak. I'll just give it a little shove...

Shit, did anyone see me do that?

No.

Good.

Dammit, I can't see a damn thing around. Hmm...where's that lighter... got it. Fuck, it's sure dusty here. Stinks like hell too. Did a cat died here or something? Whatever. As long as no one finds me here.

Now where's the stairs? I need to find a window. This lighter can't last long. And my hand's getting tired. For a briefcase, it's fucking heavy like hell. What the fuck is in this? It better be worth it.

Ah, there it is. Hope the stairs don't break.

Now where is that windo...ah! There it is! Good, now, to open this briefcase. The power's cut off, but at least the sunlight from the broken window helps to...

Hang on, didn't I see that guy's face before?

Hmm...now that I think about it, wasn't he the same guy I ripped off two we...

Eh? WHAT THE...?!

ARGGHHH~!!! *choke* *gurgle* UH...FUCK!!! *cough* I...! UH! I

~*~*~*~*~

have mentioned before that I'm pretty old-fashioned.

No matter what you call it, I just prefer to do things my way. No point calling the goddamn pigs...they didn't do squat the last time my briefcase got snatched: a Crocodile exclusive leather briefcase and my personal belongings (including my Nokia 3210! Dammit, I loved that phone!), worth $1500 over. Plus 2 hours wasted at that damn police station.

It's amazing what you can find on the Internet nowadays. I mean, who would have thought what one can produce with just a piece of tape, fuse cord, a blasting cap, a small block of TNT, and 200 two-inch long nails. And with each nail travelling at 200 metres a second, he's good as dead. And if that doesn't kill the little prick, the nails should embed deep enough in him to...oh, maybe blind him, or paralyse him for life. But it will be pretty hard to stay alive especially when you're bleeding everywhere through every orifice. Chances are, he'd most likely be wishing that he were dead instead.

That will teach those fucking Abbos not to mess with me.

Think I'll go back to my condo and call it a day. Nothing's important left anyway back in the office. Jennie will give me a call anyway if anything pops up while I'm gone. I'll take a nice, hot shower first, and then later relax with a little Mein Kampf. And maybe a pot of tea too.

That reminds me.

I need to get a new briefcase.





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