The Memory Of Bills In Old Bathtubs

[Robert Crisman]

Arthur Odell Crank--I wouldn't make that name up--sold weed to the street rats back in the '60s. His place, the White Sands on Jefferson just off 14th, was one of the last of the juke joints in that part of town, and his bust helped roll all the rest of them up to finis.

Cops kicked in the door to the rooms he kept in back of the Sands. A big photo accompanied the story: tens of thousands of dollars, tossed in an old, dirty bathtub.

I saw him years later downtown, old and a little bent over and shabby, standing in front of Friedlander's window, gazing away at the jewelry, his eyes far away, not moving a muscle, not even breathing as far as I saw and he stood there in front of that window a long goddamned time...

What I saw in his eyes was hunger I guess, a far-away hunger, there since the womb, for emeralds, gold, rubies, stoked by the memory of bills in old bathtubs--the food you can't eat that makes your mouth water 'til tears well up in your eyes.

[Paul D Brazill]

Another wonderful piece.

[James Storbacon]

'the food you can't eat that makes your mouth water 'til tears well up in your eyes', great job, I enjoy the flow of your prose in many of your 6s, especially this one.

[Robert Crisman]

@Gita: Odell was like any junkie; his shit got sloppy.

[Gita]

What Mike said.  And a brilliant observation about the desire for jewels. I suffer from that specific desire big time.

Although, let's get real, here. Arthur kind of deserved to be popped: not for weed, for stupidity. What the frik and frak was he thinking, leaving so much money in plain view?

 

[Mike Handley]

I swear to god, I don't know why this piece has so few views and comments. I love it when you surprise me, whether in content or style. Your photographer's eye shines through with this one. Brilliant composition!

[Cita]

Mr. Crisman, this is a beautiful write.  Honest and yet compassionate, and I love how you use a similar style as McGuane... that impartial observer just writing it all down.

[Angela]

Arthur's broken greed was given a good write.  The image of the bathtub full of money kinda makes my mouth water a little bit, too, though.  Those deadly sins are hard to shake.  Great job, Robert.