Apocalypse of Jude

Audrey rises without much option and follows Janice as she picks the route to the small space of the bar’s bathroom. Thrusting her wine glass into Audrey’s hands, Janice closes the door, locks it, places herself in front of the mirror and retrieves a small package from her bag. She looks up at Audrey, who just hangs there, lamb-like, in silence.

“Here, take the mirror. You’re looking pasty. See if you can rosy your cheeks up. You’re going to need it. Paul’s intent on conquering you.”

She moves around and lets Audrey take the mirror, closes the lid of the toilet and sits down.

“What are you doing?”

“It’s time for you to find out what Paul is all about.”

“That’s cocaine!”

“No sweetheart, this isn’t just cocaine. Come on. Blush your cheeks.”

There is a knock at the door. “We’re busy.”

“Janice, I want to go.”

“I’ll be out when I’m done.”

They hear Paul walk away cursing.

“Janice, I don’t know. Where does it come from?”

“Paul. Where else? You haven’t figured that out yet have you. Part of that’s because you’re so sweetly naïve. I like that about you. But it’s also been hidden from you. Paul hasn’t wanted you to know. He’s been waiting for the right time to initiate you. And once he’s done that, he will have you in his hands and reveal to you what it is he wants from you. That’s how Paul works.”

Janice finishes with a smirk.

“But I’m in a jealous, spiteful mood. Paul’s got something new going on in his life. I’m not quite sure what it is, but I know it doesn’t include me. He’s been pushing me aside more and more, so my loyalties are no longer what they were. I’m telling you, whatever plan he has for you, I’m here to say, don’t listen to him. Don’t let him get what he wants.”

Janice looks long into Audrey’s eyes until the acquiesce comes.

“Good.”

They carry on in silence.

“All right. Like this.”

Janice places a rolled note into her nostril and inhales along a small line that is on the top of the toilet cistern. Then she does a second line changing nostrils.

“Okay?”

“I guess so.”

“Put the note in your nostril okay. Now close your other nostril. Good. Now inhale, but do it slowly.”

A shock overcomes Audrey’s face. Janice laughs, relieved, feeling the control slip out of Paul’s hand into hers.

Audrey is sniffing. “It’s quite chemical hey. It feels warm down the back of my throat.”

“It will for a while. Do the other line now.”

Audrey follows the same procedure. A little easier this time.

“Ugh. I can taste it on my tongue.”

Janice reaches for the wine glass balanced on the basin.

“Here, drink the rest of my wine. It’ll take the taste away. Then just wait until the tingling sets in.”

“Janice.” Paul’s voice is curt and violent.

“Okay, okay, I’m coming.”

Hiding her fear from Audrey, she hastily puts everything back into the bag.

“My nerves are bad tonight. Give me a hug.”

Janice’s embrace catches Audrey by surprise in its need.

“Let’s go. And whatever happens tonight, stay with me. Do not leave my side.”

Janice opens the door.

“Can’t a girl have her privacy?”

She stares hard at Paul and stalks by, while Audrey follows, still uncertain how to compose herself and dealing with completely new sensations inside. As they emerge out of the passageway, Gary takes her hand and Paul falls in behind as they file forwards and spill out of the bar into the growing night, Paul with blasphemies on his breath.

Wasteland Mix: Fragment 37