ruby, part 2

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ruby was sad ruby was blue ruby didn't know what to do another day almost gone by and still no slice of life's pie would she get a ride when she got outside? or the long empty night greet her weary sight? maybe gus would be waiting gus with his voice so grating and his hair dissipating and his twitching lips and his careful tips and his restless eyes with nothing to disguise gus could be faithful and true but not much to look forward to and then there was frankie ruby felt her brain cells burn at the thought of frankie's possible return frankie from the old neighborhood was no good with his smile so twisted and evil eye not to be resisted in a universe by justice kissed a creature like frankie would not exist he was a bum scum always on the run always with a plan to make an end run around the man looking for the perfect score just needing a few cents more to get started his hair was parted in the middle with perfect precision a satanic surgical incision and his nasty little mustache crying out, i need some cash frankie was a cancer not exactly the answer ruby was tired uninspired maybe she would go out and get wired she knew a little spot nothing too hot where she could relax the bartender was named max he had a little business on the side keeping gentlemen supplied with ladies from every continent and nation ruby had a standing invitation to take advantage of max's services but the thought made her a little nervous, yes but max hadn't mentioned it in a while maybe she wasn't the latest style or maybe - the thought made her brain stop cold she was just getting old the hours flowed and bended the day was almost ended ruby's feet were sore she couldn't wait to get off the floor but what was this? her relentless nemesis mrs carson with her icy smile and her impeccable sense of style had invaded ruby's station and was displaying a full ration of her perfect teeth so white ruby could not take flight and gave up the fight mrs carson smiled like an elf those shoes on the bottom shelf take them out please miss to myself i would be remiss if i didn't try them on sometime before dawn the rituals were performed ruby's back felt deformed while mrs carson looked at the ceiling ruby was feeling nothing at all half an hour later with her back a little straighter ruby stood at the back stair inhaling the halfway fresh air when who should she look up and see but her ancient enemy - mrs carson with her chauffeur named (what else?) garcon and her eyes of midnight ink and her mink would you like a lift, my dear? ruby felt like a mere spectator at a show but you don't know where i want to go mrs carson's laugh was blue oh, but i think i do garcon opened the door of the bentley clicking his heels like a sentry as they sped down main street the lights of the city were spreading their wings in flight then the city was left behind and they raced through the night dark and blind mrs carson leaned back in her furs and took ruby's hand in hers

part 3