Last Exit to Brooklyn - Hubert Selby Jr (8 page)

then she heard some (one) rushing through the hallway
and Tony opened the door—Goldies heart was pounding and she tried
to ignore Tony and listen for steps (four) on the stairs—and
started apologizing, looking hopefully at Goldie, before the door
closed and Goldie finally turned to her and told her to shut up. Tony
obeyed immediately (she had dropped her sister off at the hospital
and stayed in the cab and came right back, wanting to get back before
Goldie left; hoping to be invited to join them; she didnt want to sit
alone in that evil apartment and she wanted so much to be a friend of
Goldies, to get high with them and have other girls to talk with) she
obeyed immediately and stopped in the middle of a syllable and looked
around the room but they all ignored her—Goldie jumped up and went
to the door, listened then opened it slightly—so Tony walked across
the room (between them . . . between them. Theyre watching me. I know
they are. It wasnt my fault) and sat—Goldie turned and said they
left. Rosie, gather our things. They left. Tony sat, then got up and
walked around the room (not even a bennie . . . not one); went to the
kitchen, poured a cup of coffee (maybe I should have stayed with her.
Might just as well have) and walked back to her chair.

Goldie ran to the bathroom to fix her face. Georgette
picked up the half filled bottle of Scotch that the john had left and
poured Vinnie a drink, on the rocks, then turned on the radio. She
could see that Vinnie and the boys were getting higher and higher and
by the time the Scotch would be finished ( and there was still gin
and a fresh supply of bennie forthcoming) they would be searching for
the floor when they walked. O what a wonderful day. (She went to the
windows and fixed the blinds so too much light would not come in.)
Just simply too much. She visited different parts of the room,
talking, smiling, fixing drinks, singing (Vinnie, Vinnie), dancing;
even laughing with Lee. Camille ran to the bathroom, when Goldie came
out, with her hair brush, nail brush, finger brush and hand brush.
Goldie gave Rosie money for bennie then called Georgette aside and
asked her to be intermediary between she and Malfie and she told her,
Of course; and Goldie told her she had a box of syrettes and in a few
minutes when things are a little more settled we will go inside and
turn on. Georgette kissed her and really started swinging. A little
morphine now would be just perfect. O yes, just perfect. O Lordy . .
. MS and Vinnie!!! She filled a glass with gin and sat next to Vinnie
(should I offer him a shot too?) talking with him and the boys ( No.
Might ruin him ) and even Harry and his absurd remarks were palatable
(O God! I hope the bennie didnt kill his nature), but of course she
did her utmost to avoid any dissertation with him (If only the others
would leave we could sit together and he would kiss me and I would
caress his neck and kiss the lobe of his ear and we would undress
each other and lie on the bed with our arms around each other and I
would run the tips of my fingers along his thighs and his muscles
would tighten and we would both squirm slightly and I would kiss his
chest and feel his back and smell the sweat and put my legs around
his hips— Whatta yasay sweetchips? Georgette turned and started
opening her arms and Vinnie pinched her cheek, how about taking this
inside and ringing it out, standing up slowly his hand clutching his
crotch. Georgette lowered one hand (not now . . . later) and let the
other one slide along his leg. Wanna help me empty this? wavering
slightly then spreading his legs further apart and laughing as he
bounced his balls with his hand. She leaned forward slightly (no no
no!!! You will ruin everything) and he turned, still laughing, and
went to the bathroom (his eyes are bugging out of his head. O Christ
he is high. It will be beautiful!!!) and roared as Camille leaped
from the bathroom when he goosed her, dropping her brushes then
carefully stooping, watching the bathroom door, picking them up and
dashing to the living room.

Georgette sat back and sipped her gin for many
seconds. Harry got up and chirped at Georgette, stoned out of his
head, and plopped down beside Lee. Georgette followed him with her
eyes, still sipping gin and still fighting for control of herself.
She could not fuck it up now. It wont be long. It wont be long.
Vinnie and MS. Yes. She picked up the bottle of gin and refilled
Malfies glass and asked him if he would let Goldie do him. Malfie
closed his eyes slightly and smiled, took the glass from her hand.
Got more bennie? She patted his cheek and got two more for him and
went to tell Goldie that everything was arranged. O everything is
just so wonderful. Vinnie and his boys are stoned out of their heads
and soon she would have Vinnie. Goldie took her into the bedroom and
gave her a syrette. Arent you going to take one? Not now honey. I/ll
wait until after that big cocked guinea has fucked me. So Georgette
shot up and waited for the first wave to pass then went back to her
throne, next to Vinnie. He was yakking with Malfie and Harry—Lee
and Camille joining in, Goldie just watching Malfie and occasionally
laughing—and tugged Georgettes ear when she sat down. She smiled
and did a rolling bump before sitting down, nodding modestly to the
applause. Georgette whirled digging the scene and everybody was
swinging. Even Harry and Lee were making it and the sounds came from
the radio and Camille was snapping her fingers (a little too
demonstratively if you ask me, but its alright because we/re (Vinnie
and MS—VINNIE) swinging) and everything fell into its proper place,
all words fitted; and Goldie sat beside Malfie and he grinned, aspet
. . . una moment; and Camille felt real bitchy and daring and winked
at Sal and he tried to speak but he couldnt stop grinding his teeth
and his head just lolled back and forth, droplets of scotch dribbling
down his chin, but he was so strong and handsome—O what a marvelous
chin—and she giggled thinking of the letter she would write to the
pinkteas back home: O honey, do you know from nothing. What a
gorgeous way to lose ones virginity! Sal laughed and blurted, I gotit
swingin bitch HAARRR; and Malfie emptied his glass, refilled it and
followed Goldie into the bedroom and Georgette watched, floating
around their heads bopping SALT PEAnuts, SALT PEAnuts—quoth the Diz
evermore—Vinnie and MS—VINNie and MS—and Lee moved a few inches
and Harry grabbed her by the arm and yanked her back, Where doya
think ya goin, queeny, grabbing her wrist and forcing it between his
legs. I gotta nice hunkka meat forya and Vinnie yelled, Is she tryin
ta get fresh witya man? and they both roared and Lee started to
panic, trying to free her arm, but Harry squeezed tighter and twisted
until she screeched, Stop, Stop! Youre hurting me you vile fairy
(wonderful, wonderful. This should teach you a lesson you evil queen.
He is what you deserve. VINNie and MS—VINNie and MS—cause we/re
having a party and the people are nice, and the people are nice . . .
) and Harrys eyes bugged even more and he stood up and pulled Lee off
the couch, comon motherfucka. You wanna look like a broad ya gonna
get fucked like one (Camille shoved her fingers in her mouth, rose
halfway then fell back onto the couch and inched her way to the other
end (but hes not like that (?) ) )—Hey Vinnie, come-on. Lets throw
a hump intaer. Shit man, Im down. Letsgo. He grabbed her other arm
and they started dragging her to the bedroom, screaming, screeching,
crying, pleading and they roared and twisted her arms then Harry
grabbed her by her hair, her precious golden shoulder length hair,
and slapped her face. Comeon ya cocksucker. Stop theshit. Hey Maine,
open the door. Malfie opened the door and grinned as they dragged Lee
in, and Goldie shrieked and ran from the room, the door slamming
behind her. She listened to Lee screaming and the guys slapping her
and cursing as they ripped her dress off . . . then Goldie swallowed
a half dozen bennies; Camille looked at Georgette, who hadnt moved (
No, No! No you fucking bitch. VINNie VINNie . . . VINNIE!!! Not with
Lee. I love you Vinnie. I love you. He will see my red spangled G
string. Please Vinnie. Vinnie . . .), Camille looked at Georgette
then at Sal as he wobbled across the room toward her. No room in
there. He opened his fly and yanked out his cock ( Its so big. And
red. Be careful of your eyes. Put your arms around his ass) O???? O .
. . Sal? Sal dont. Sal? Please. Ple-I got a big lob forya. Sa—he
shoved it in her mouth and grabbed her
long-shining-wavy-auburn-hair—Lee stopped squirming as Vinnie and
Malfie held her and Harry mounted her. Vaseline. Vaseline! Please,
not without vaseline. Vinnie handed her the jar, then Lee said
alright then closed her eyes and cringed as Harry lunged viciously
then put her arms around him and her legs around his waist. Vinnie
and Malfie leaned against the wall and Harrys sweat fell on Lees face
and she smiled and sucked his neck and groaned, hoping he would never
come, that he would continue to lunge and lunge and lunge . . .-
Thats the way Camille. Thats it HAHA OOOOO Hey, take it easy with
yatongue, and Camille clutched at his belt hoping she was doing it
properly; and Goldie took the syrette from her pocket, calmer now
that the screaming had stopped, and though she did not approve of
Camille having public sex like that she had to admit that she did not
have much choice in the matter, and they did so seem to enjoy each
other ( I hope Malfie wont be completely useless after this), and
turned on. Everything seems to have developed beautifully—He had to
help his friends. Of course. Why shouldnt he help Harry fuck her.
Cause we/re having a party and the people are nice, and the people
are nice . . . —Harry took a slip from a drawer and wiped his cock.
I bet yaknow youve been fucked! Harry and Malfie laughed and Lee
watched Vinnie as he mounted her then closed her eyes and wrapped her
legs around his hips—Goldie went back to the living room and sat on
the couch, ignoring Camille and Sal, watched the smoke drift from her
mouth and the sound waves from the radio; and Sals legs shook and he
bent at the knees and Camille grunted and gurgled, moving her head
fantastically, digging her nails into his ass, trying to get every
inch of his cock in her mouth—Soon. Soon . . . (Quaff, oh, quaff
this kind nepenthe); and we will hear tugboat whistles blowing high .
. .—Sal put his pants over the back of a chair and stretched out
with a new cigarette and drink; Camille went to the bathroom with her
nail brush, finger brush, hand brush, hair brush and toothbrush —They
guys came out of the bedroom, sweat pouring from their faces, and
filled glasses with gin and ice. Lee called to Miss Goldie and asked
her if she could borrow a dress, and she told her, Of course. The
gorgeous blue number I wore to the DRAG BALL last year is in the
closet if you want it. Thank you, but I think it would be better if I
wore something simple, an afternoon dress will do. Something I can
slip out of easily. Yeah! HAHAHAHARRR The guys took a few more bennie
each and sauntered back into the living room. Hey Sal, whatta yadoin?
posin fa holy pictures? They all roared and Goldie looked with pride
at Malfie. Vinnie sat next to Georgette and stuck a wet finger in her
ear. How yadoin Georgie? O Vincent (of course he did not) dont do
that, squirming and trying to giggle but she couldnt fight the
momentum of the centrifuge and her face only twisted. Whats the
matta? got a booboo? You like the Bird? Bird? Hey whats withya
sweetchips, pinching her cheek and turning to the others, ya been
eatin birdseed? laughing and looking around the room. O snapping his
fingers, yamean the Raven thing. Yeah. Yeah, sure. Take me inside
Vinnie (?) dropping her hand on his leg. Whatsa matta? ya hungry?
rubbing her hand in his crotch. It takes loot tado me sweetchips,
looking around the room lifting his glass to his mouth, the gin
slobbering down his chin, how much yagot? I have love, I have
love—(Camille came back from the bathroom, fresh and clean, her
hair so neatly brushed, the highlights gleaming, swishing ever so
gaily across the room. O really Miss Thing, one would think it was
the first cock you ever sucked. Camille fluttered a few fingers at
Goldie and sat beside Sal)—I have love and the Bird. (O god not
after her. Vinnie. O Vinnie. Please. That was so long ago. So long
ago. When? When? It was my brother and the G string)— Lee stepped
from the bedroom and hurried to the bathroom. I dont know why she
doesnt keep at least a hair brush in there— (Goldies not half as
attractive as I) still silent and trying, trying to smile
coquettishly, but it wouldnt come, it wouldnt come. And the Bird was
gone. Gone! Only a Raven. Nevermore . . . and she whirled and whirled
and whirled and sounds whirled and smoke whirled and Vinnie laughed,
he laughed. Vinnie laughed and soon he would pick her up and carry
her to the bedroom ... A voice A voice. O God, not his john. I cant.
Not now. Not after—Lee clicked into the room wearing a pair of
Sheilas stockings and best shoes and sat daintly and looked at Harrys
wet, dirty, smug, leering face . . . happy, O so happy that she wasnt
a degenerate freak like that pervert; but loving his vicious prick
and the next time we will be alone and he can be as freaky as he
wants, and suck my tongue, and he will come around many times ... if
I want him to. She looked at Georgette and lifted an eyebrow. What
are you on honey? (bitch! Evil Bitch! Leave me alone!) Well common
Georgie. Getup somea those chips. Ya dont want yadinner taget cold,
doya?

She rose with dignity—come and get it
Sweetchips—and they walked hand in hand through the softness and he
gave her a rose and she laid it across her hand like a scepter and
gendy raised it to her lips and its fragrance was enchantment and she
smiled the smile of a rose, so soft, delicate, so lovely and the Bird
was there oncemore, blowing, and she placed the rose on its satin
cushion and let the robes slip from her body—Whatta yadoin?—and
they folded sofdy at her feet—ya just gonna suckit. Here yaare
sweetchips, and make sure ya dont biteit, haha—A rose. Rose! No. It
was Harry. Nevermore! Evermore. EVERMORE EVERMORE!!! O Vinnie, Vinnie
my love my love—Stop the shit man and start suckin. (my love, love)
He flicked his ashes, laughing, and took a drink. Will he groan? Make
him groan, and she opened his belt and pulled his pants down and slid
her hands along his sweaty ass (love, love) and he grabbed her ears
and laughed, and she ran her fingers gendy along his tightened thigh
muscles (now, brother, now!) felt the hairs on his ass . . . the
feeling, the feeling . . .—no. NO. O JESUS NO!!! Its just a smell
from the bed-Watch the balls fa chrissake—from Harry. Harry. Its
not shit. Please. He didnt fuck her. Dont let it be shit—the feel,
taste, smell— SMELL! Vinnie picked up the slip from the floor.
Youre alright Georgie, patting the kneeling queen on the head. Yacan
do me anytime. Too bad I didnt haveya upstate. We couldda had a ball.
She looked up at him and smiled. Vinnie? He looked into her face,
bent and patted her cheek gendy. Comeon Georgie, Lets havea drink.