Apocalypse of Jude

Janice moves through the arch into the pub’s poolroom and walks over to the couch below the window, ignoring Paul on the other side of the pool table. Gary and Audrey awkwardly occupy the couch. Next to it stands an arm chair. She goes over to it and sits, allowing it to enthrone her. As she looks at the seven-branched candelabra light fitting illuminating the pool table, she becomes aware of Paul’s many-headed shadow moving across the ceiling towards her. It’s beastly visage frightens her into looking directly at him waltzing round the table to take a shot. He glances over at her.

“Glad you could join us tonight Janice. We’ll be going to the club shortly.”

He leans over and gently pushes the cue across the green felt so that it slips its quarried ball into a pocket. She shoots a defensive look back at him, covering up her ruffled emotions.

“Always the club these days. The bar not good enough for you anymore is it?”

Paul simply scowls. “I thought you loved the club. There are so many more there than here to drink your wine.”

He stalks around the table angrily, blaspheming and calling her whore out loud to anyone who might care to hear before taking his next shot. She stares stonily back at him, but inside knows now that she is fallen. Janice turns coldly to Audrey.

“I’m going to the bathroom. Coming?”

Wasteland Mix: Fragment 32