Sunday, 7 October 2012

The Crab Doctor and the Lobster:
A Maritime Film Noir 6



Scene 6: At The Crustacean Ball
With a scene by Magda Kapa (MK)


The crab jacket seems to be tighter tonight, thought the doctor on the way to the crustacean ball. Langoustine was dazzling, luminous, chic.

*

The doctor looked into the mirror but the North Sea was murky again. People had vanished in these waters. This was not a game. (MK)

*

Any Tompot could look like that, thought the doctor. The nearby dandy seemed rather too interested in Langoustine.




*

Who is this ridiculous person? he asked. Manny, said Langoustine. He's a punk. The doctor's patience was wearing thin. 



*

And this, I suppose, is bloody Alexander Pope, the doctor snapped. Keep your carapace on, whispered Langoustine.



*

The host was smoking a hookah. Either that or he was rigged up to a drip. The doctor felt obliged to take his pulse.



*

Then came the entertainment: the Andrews Sisters. But which was Laverne?



*

Just then a familiar face appeared. Hadn't they gone to medical school together? Langoustine asked to be introduced.


*

Langoustine passed the doctor a note. 'He is not all he says he is'. In the corner of the note an amber sequin with an oriental monogram.

*

It was all too Rococo down there. It's like something out of Schnitzler, the doctor said clacking his claws. Langoustine winked at him.

*

The doctor was not a party animal. He wasn't even a party crab. But Langoustine was in her element. He supposed they all were. Damn water.




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