The Ginger Man - J. P. Donleavy [111]
Mrs. Ritzincheck smiled at the door and wiped her hands in her apron. I always say be straightforward when you can.
Up the stairs and finally in this little room. Mary sat down on the bed. Sebastian laid the bag on the floor.
"Well Mary here we are."
"I like it. It's nice to see from such a height. I like London, everything is so exciting. So many interesting looking people."
"There's that"
"And so many strange ones you would never see in Dublin. All the blacks and those Egyptian fellows. Some of them are terrible good looking and they've got such white teeth."
"Mary show me this sewing machine"
"Kiss me."
"The machine, Mary. The machine."
"Kiss me."
Mary upon him with arms and legs. Back to the bed. Down. Please. You know how I feel about direct assault What a tongue. All I wanted to do was take a look at the machine.
Outside it's night And they're all pulling the curtains across. And going to sit in their chairs. Mary at least let me up to take a quick plunge in the bath.
"I want to have it together, Sebastian."
"But we mustn't set a carnal example for the other guests."
In the tub she said the water was terrible and no lather and it looked all gray and dirty and you'd think she didn't have a wash in a tinker's age. She smiled up out of the tub. Pulling him down for another kiss. Dangerfield's feet slipping on the soapy floor. Watch it for Christ's sake, I'm falling. A roar of water over the side. Mrs. Ritzincheck will think we're up here at it hammer and tongs, hanging from the chandeliers and divers bathroom fittings. And that causes jealousy. Everybody will be wanting it.
"You look a sight, Sebastian"
"We've got to go easy, Mary.
"Take off your clothes, I want to see what you look like"
"Mary, please."
"You've got no chest."
"Wait a minute. Just look at this. There. See?"
"It's so funny."
"I beg your pardon."
"But you're thin."
"Now Mary look from behind. Give you some idea of the breadth of me shoulders. I'm deceptive."
"I'll admit you're broad."
"But you've got a chest there, Mary."
"But you mustn't look, I know they're too big."
"Not a bit."
"But they're smaller than they were."
Dangerfield stepping into the tub. Must control myself. Keep it down. Mary will stop at nothing. Somebody come break down the door and catch us at it in the tub.
"Sebastian, you're queer looking when I see you like this in the light."
"Don't grab, I'U get drowned."
"Isn't it an awful death?"
"O I don't know, Mary. Out there on the waves with the ships at sea."
"Rub me with the soap."
"Melons, Mary."
"Don't say that. Take me to the sea."
"We'll go and live by the sea."
"And I'll go naked on the beach."
"What ho, Mary. We'll see that"
"I read about these French painters. Awful men, they were drawing without clothes and it must be nice to be able to pose for them"
"Mary there's a change come over you"
"I know"
"I like you, Mary"
"Do you mean it?"
"Yes. Bit of a rub here, Mary"
"Your back is a sight"
"A scrubbing with your fair hand it needs. Haven't known such peace for years."
"I'm glad, and glad to kiss your back and pull your hair. I used to pull my little brothers' hair in the tub when they were carrying on. You have nice soft hair. Sort of silky almost. It's more beautiful to be a man isn't it ?"
"I'm sure I don't know the answer to that, Mary"
"I've got some lace and frills to wear for you"
Standing on the linoleum in water slop. Little dark haired Mary pinning up behind her head a swath of wide black curls and rolling a towel around her. And face in full blush. She stopped and wiped up the puddles. Out that window and down on the tracks, the Underground trains sliding in and out. Long gray platforms. And skipping across the gloomy hall and get a little of the electric fire. Mary's dancing feet
"It's cold. Does anyone ever be in the hall?"
"London, Mary. Never worry about that. See everything here."
"I guess they do."
Sebastian stretched out on the green ticking watching naked Mary brushing her long hair.
"A nice body, Mary."
"Do you like me?"
"Massed army of all the saints couldn't keep me away."