The Ginger Man - J. P. Donleavy [45]
Dangerfield walked swiftly through the labyrinth of lanes into a little square with a lamp standard and more children. Stepped into a doorway and waited. No one behind. A little girl dragging a boy by the hair in the gutter. Kid screaming and kicking his legs. Bare feet swollen and cut. Another boy comes out of the house with a bundle of newspapers yelling for her to leave him alone and he gives her a punch on the arm and she kicks him in the knee and he grabs her and throws her down. She claws and scratches at his eyes and he bends her arms back and she spits in his face.
Sebastian leaves his doorway and walks slowly out the lane. Navigating widely and back and around and coming out along these terraced, red brick houses each with a polished knocker and curtains and little precious things at the first floor windows. Straight out this road I can see the Dublin Mountains with evening sun on them and I wish I were away out there with a massive wall built all round me. Into the tree lined street Crossing over smartly. Slamming the little gate. Down the steps. Rap, rap. Wait. Silence, rap, rap. My God, my dear Chris, don't leave me out here for them to get me.
"Hello."
Voice behind him.
"Jesus."
"What's happened to you?"
Chris carrying packages, her face wreathed with concern as she came down the steps behind him.
"Let me in."
"Hold these. There's blood all down the back of your neck."
"A little misunderstanding."
"O dear. Have you been in a fight?"
"Little upset."
"Now tell me. Just what did happen?"
"All right. I'll go."
"Now don't be such a fool. Come in, sit down. Of course, you won't go: But you can't expect me to be all complacent when you just suddenly appear all covered in blood. How did this happen?"
"It happened."
"Don't talk nonsense. Hold still. I'll have to boil a kettle and wash it. You've had too much to drink. Does it hurt?"
"No."
Chris in her drawer. Picking out the bottles. Iodine. Water in the kettle.
"Chris, I want you to tell me how I can get away from evil in this world How to put down the sinners and raise the doers of good. I've been through a frightful evening. Indeed, my suffering has been acute and more. More than sin or evil or anything. I have arrived at the conclusion that these people on this island are bogus."
"You had a fight, didn't you?"
"Most ungentlemanly incident I think I've ever experienced."
"In a bar?"
"In a bar. The rudeness on this island is overwhelming."
"Well? How? Why?"
"I went into this public house for a quiet drink. Stone cold sober. Man seizes me by the arm and twists it—says get out —you're drunk. I said, I beg your pardon but I'm stone. Naturally I left under the maltreatment that was in it. Now I'm not an evil person, nor do I ever encourage any type of trouble. However I returned to this bar later, ordered another drink and they attacked me brutally. Disgraceful behavior. All on me like a pack of wolves. Trying to put me down and jump on me. It was only by employing the most elusive tactics that I succeeded in escaping with my very life. I have no doubts but that they are searching the city to visit me with more abuse."
"Now really."
"Come sit by me, Chris."
"No."
"Sit by me. I'm most upset."
I'll do your head."
"Can I stay here tonight."
"Yes. I think you ought to have a bath."
"I've got to get out of this damn country. Honest to Christ."
"Any pennies?"
"None."
"You'll have to have a threepenny bath."
Helping him to take off his clothes. Out into this damp bathroom with the bathtub up on lion's paws and the cold sticky floor. In blub, gurgle slub dub glub. Foamy white face, no one to recognize me. Forever to walk backwards in the streets. The yellow light and green cracked ceiling. All last year you were in here in the tub while I was haunted and sad on Howth.
"Come away with me, Chris"
"You've had too much to drink. Say that when you're less confused."
"What? I say, confused."
"Turn around and let me dry your back."
"I want you to."
"I just can't suddenly decide something like that."
"You want to?"
"Where? And your wife and child?"