The Ginger Man - J. P. Donleavy [81]
"And you're hired?"
"So far. This religion business will present a problem. I'm suspicious about people interested in saving other people's souls. Where's the money?"
"I beg of you. Eke. Beg. Patience. Kenneth"
"What's in this house. Does it have a toilet?"
"Every amenity. A place for soap. Four gas burners. Wooden floors. Bit of the damp and loneliness."
"Your own kitchen ? "
"Everything, Kenneth."
"And you're alone?"
"No."
"You're not alone?"
"Exactly."
"Who's living with you?"
"Not with, Kenneth. In the house. A Miss Frost. A charming young lady from Wexford. I'll have you meet her."
"Marion. Where did she go?"
"Away. Scotland. Not feeling well."
"What's the matter? She pregnant?"
"I hope not. Now I think I can see you right. Come out to the Geary with me."
"Doesn't Marion mind your being in the house alone with Miss Frost?"
"Hardly think so. Miss Frost is a very good Catholic. Quite above board. No fear, no scandal, Kenneth. A most interesting person."
"You've got money out there?"
"Just come."
"God damn it You've got nothing on you?"
"I'm a little short"
"God damn it. I knew it was going to be like this. All right, I'll pay the bill. I'm just an utterly defeated bastard"
Dangerfield leaning back. Wiping the mouth. Waitresses watching them. O'Keefe led the way down the stairs. His jutting red beard. Put his hands in his pocket. Dangerfield behind him, walking curiously.
"What's the matter with you?"
"This, Kenneth, is the spider walk. I've been trying to perfect it for some time. You see, every two steps you bring the right foot across from behind and skip. Enables one to turn around without stopping and go in the opposite direction."
"What for?"
"I'm a little self-conscious about turning around these days. Mobility is what I like, Kenneth."
They were approaching the bottom of Grafton Street
"I'm thirsty, Kenneth"
"Yeah."
"Drink of water."
"Go into a shop. They'll give you water."
"That's very complicated."
O'Keefe suspicious. Jaw clamped. Walking faster.
"Now, Kenneth, is there anything wrong with wanting a little drink of water."
O'Keefe stopped. Threw his hands in the air. Eye wide. Screaming.
"You God damn drunkard. Damn this damn country. Drink is the curse of this country. God damn it."
The crowds stepped back to make room for this shouter. Dangerfield abandoning his spider walk set off swiftly across the street towards O'Donogue's Public House. He missed the door. A great slap of body into the wall. He stood there stunned. Scratching at the bricks.
O'Keefe watching him, broke into wild laughter. The crowd stepped back further. When shouters laugh, there's violence.
O'Keefe speaking to the crowd.
"Can't you see I'm mad? Drink is die curse of this damn country"
He followed Dangerfield who was standing, a bit twitchy inside the pub door.
"For God's sake, Kenneth, what's the matter with you? Do you want to have me spotted?"
"You bastard, you got me into a pub anyway. Boy did you look silly running into the wall."
"Well I think you're cracking up."
"I've come back to this place after putting in a half year of loneliness, not enough to eat, no sex life, nothing and this is what I have to face. No money waiting and I'm not going to buy you drink. I just can't stand it I don't want this life anymore."
"Kenneth, you're upset. Now don't be upset. I know you've had a hard time of it and I want to see you enjoy your return."
"Shut up. Get your drink. Here. Take this. Get it but shut up. Drink, drink—go ahead."
Sorrowfully, Dangerfield took the half crown. He whispered to the man behind the bar. He