In Ancient Greece, the Ferryman was named ‘Charon’, meaning ‘he of the keen gaze.’ Writers of antiquity represented the Ferryman in multiple ways, ranging from a sordid god, to a surly old man, to a silent, hooded figure.
Lungs like Teflon that one. She’s a lifelong punter.
Nah, you started it mate, so if you can’t hack it, you shouldn’t dish it out. You’re with me for the day. I’ll show you a day in my life. Think of it as bloody celebrity apprentice. I know I said the methadone clinic is trying to royally shaft me, but you gotta keep thinking, there’s customers there who use on the side. See that one, that guy over there, been on the ‘done for 20 years, but don’t think he doesn’t slam a bit of ‘done in his veins on the side and smoke the odd pipe.
He’ll see me right into retirement, that one.
No, you dickhead! Don’t let ‘em see us. Get behind the car. Not that they see me, mind you. I’m just here.
What? Yeah. ‘Course they drug test ‘em. But nah they don’t kick ‘em out of the program, they’re raking it in! That owner’s making the big bucks. He’s a bloody wanker, that one.
Shhh, watch. See that one going into the clinic? Yeah, the girl. Look at her. Nah, really look at her. What do you see?
Nah. You’re not looking hard enough. That’s the problem with you and the likes of everyone else. I said to her on the boat once, they don’t see you. Not really. They name you as a thing and then they see you as that thing. Don’t ever let ‘em name you and yeah, she took an old man’s advice. Can’t say I’m not proud of the lass. She’s on the lowest dose of bupe, 2mg. Methadone’s kid sister, mate!
But listen yeah, that girl, she keeps herself to herself. Gets her dose, leaves, doesn’t make small talk. She’s been to uni, got a job, she’ll see me into retirement too.
What d’ya mean how?
Nah, listen. See how thin she is? She’s stopped eating.
Nah, she’s not on the ice, but it’s the hunger that stops her from feeling now, not the gear. And listen, I’m no mug, but I’ll take all kinds of currency. Up to a point though. You should see the young lads playing video games 24-7. Tried to pay me in bitcoin or whatever nonsense that is, but I said…listen, you little shits, I been doing this job for centuries, and ain’t ever heard of this bitcoin.
Paper money comes and goes. Ever been in a country where it takes a wheelbarrow of cash just to buy some bread? Inflation mate.
You gotta have financial nouse to be around as long as I have. Nah, I says to ‘em, I’m a fair bloke. I said to ’em, don’t kid a kidder. I only accept organs and bones, your sanity, memory, worth, relationships, motivation, passion…that sort of thing. That’s true currency.
But back to that girl. Yeah, I’ve got her for life. She’ll cruise from one addiction to another, legal or not. Bloody oath she will. And she’s got enough life in her to keep going on, but she needs a buffer to get through this whole clusterfuck of existence.
That girl, I need more punters like her. Steady enough to pay, but she’s too scared to live, too scared of getting close to anyone. Them ones, they always make the best bloody customers.
Word upon Word 