John Coopey

THE SCUZZIE AND THE SOLERO

Saturday 1st July 2017 12:20 am (first posted Friday 30th June 2017 10:39 pm)

I am aware that many of my WOL chums see me as a little hard-hearted. Perhaps an incident that happened the other day will mollify this somewhat.

It was in Brighton and it was stonking hot. Our Gert and me decided to get an ice cream. But on the prom these could cost you £2.50 or more! So we found a Sainsbury's where we got a pack of three Soleros for £1.50. Result.

We were eating them when I noticed a dirty, stinky scuzzie asleep on the bench next to us. Now call me Christian-hearted if you will but I decided I'd give him the third Solero. Bear in mind this now had a street value of 50p!

I poked him with it - I wasn't going to touch the dirty bastard. He didn't stir (probably up pinching all night). Eventually after vigorously prodding him some more, he did. He took the Solero and ate it. No thanks, you understand; just took it.

I wasn't aggrieved by this lack of gratitude. A Samaritan like me does not do good works for thanks. The warm glow of appreciation this will create among fellow WOL chums, and knowing, that ever, I did the right thing will be reward enough.

🌷 (1)

◄ HOMEWORK

LADY IN RED (PART 2) ►

Comments

M.C. Newberry

Sun 2nd Jul 2017 15:01

No matter. He might want to help them see the light and convert them to his way of thinking! Don't I remember
that old biblical character who converted Christ by half-drowning him in the River Jordan...John the Socialist,
wasn't it? ?

John Coopey

Sun 2nd Jul 2017 08:34

Not sure they were socialists, MC. They didn't seem to chime with the old socialist maxim "by hand and brain".

M.C. Newberry

Sun 2nd Jul 2017 02:37

Scuzzies in Eastbourne?! What next? My old socialist pal
Tim (retired to the Midlands) was born there and I must
let him know what's going on down south as he might want to move back to share their hardships and see them looked
after.
Boozing in public is proscribed in my own neck of the woods
- and it sounds like a good policy for that once genteel
old coastal resort.
Cheers!

John Coopey

Sat 1st Jul 2017 19:03

While we were in Eastbourne the other day, MC, we passed by a busker doing his best to entertain us. I lobbed him a couple of bob for enriching my day.
A hundred yards down the road were a bunch of scuzzies swearing, drinking from wine bottles, holding bull terriers, tattooed from head to toe. What was remarkable about them, like the busker, they had placed a blanket in front of themselves inviting us to throw money in. Now if someone was ts to smoke, drink in the street, get tattooed from head to toe and keep dogs, that's entirely their business and none of my own.
BUT I SHAN'T BE PAYING FOR IT.

M.C. Newberry

Sat 1st Jul 2017 18:29

Hi JC - from one old softie to another -
I'm sure your good intent followed by its material action
warms the hearts of the saintly souls who
hold forth in sanctimonious righteousness on WOL. You
can't keep a good deed quiet in a world where anything
blameworthy gets the "Faces" and the "Twits" busy
posting their views before the whole litany of truth and responsibility actually becomes known and understood.
I recall a similar sort of character in the cash machine
foyer/entrance of my local bank, snoring as I stepped
over him to obtain some of my pension from the machine.
On leaving I gingerly placed one of the notes in the most
secure place I could locate on his person where he could
find it without anyone else seeing and perhaps stealing it. He half-roused himself from his stupor and grabbed
at it, fixing me and the note with an antagonistic stare
as I bade him good luck and goodbye in his adopted free shelter. I only hope the cleaners didn't find too much
to moan about when they arrived - and that he'd put some
of his new income to use by cleaning himself up in the nearest available washroom.
And have I told you about the Irish feller who used to wait for me outside the local Marks and Spencer - and always followed his greeting with a "Could you
possibly see your way to sparing me a few bob (read "quid")...? Those of us who live and work in such scenarios know only too well
about such things.

John Coopey

Sat 1st Jul 2017 09:30

So much conjecture about his back-story. Was he down on his luck or merely bone idle? We'll never know. What I did know is that he stunk to high heaven. He could have done with a bar of soap rather than a Solero, kJ. But "if I can help somebody as I pass along.....then my living shall not be in vain". Sometimes I am too soft for my own good.

kJ Walker

Sat 1st Jul 2017 07:52

I'm glad you did the right thing John, as this poor unfortunate "scuzzie" probably had mental health issues. he was more than likely suffering some major crisis in his life, so your random act of kindness will have been more than appreciated.
He probably slept through the daytime, as that is the safest time to do so. believe it or not there are people who judge these poor souls, and wish them harm, so night-time is a dangerous time.
I've done the maths, and rather than being out of pocket to the tune of 50p, you are up by £3.50 . so maybe next time you see one of these "Scuzzies" you'll but something in his pot. after all you wouldn't want people to think you're a little "hard hearted"

If you wish to post a comment you must login.

Please consider supporting us

Donations from our supporters are essential to keep Write Out Loud going

Bringing poetry to people

Click here to donate now