Don’t Look Now

He shakes his wrist, it’s a habit, the watch he wears is expensive, few can afford them, and it dazzles the heads of those who notice, it’s got him places, that flashy watch. In the exclusive bazaars of the east, the watch is not so handy now, it attracts the stares of those willing to sacrifice their life for it. He doesn’t stride so proud, feels rather uncomfortable, rich and white, displaying his wealth, gee, never knew there were so many needy people about, doesn’t feel like Manhattan on a Saturday night, more like the ghetto you want to forget. Not that he cares, it’s all a disguise. Don’t stare over there Tracey, she is looking at a man with a stump for a hand, Don’t look Tracey he says, she can’t help herself, she goes over to him, as if drawn by the missing hand. His eyes are pleading, she drops a few noisy coins into the tin cup, his eyes lighten up. Wristwatch Ray is not impressed with her. She is a new girl friend, another one, the field trip to the sanctuary, he wants to prove his credentials, that way he will gain control over her; the trip to the bazaar, a fancy she had, not his thinking at all, he prefers confined thinking