Dibbs

 PUTTING ON A SHOW 

by Richard Banks                                        

                                                           

Dibbs sits his hind legs on the pavement next to Benny and peers eagerly at the steady flow of people coming from the direction of the station. This he senses will be a good day. After a long winter and an insipid Spring, the first warm day of the year has finally arrived. 

         The punters are in a good mood, glad to be out, to feel the sun on their faces, and although not quite Summer bare shoulders and legs are also to be seen. In the winter they scurried from stall to stall buying what they needed before returning to the warm comfort of their homes. Today they are at their ease, unhurried, ready to browse and be generous. 

          The main beneficiaries of their largess today will be the market traders, but those whose only utility is in triggering the altruism of others are also hopeful of turning a profit. In this respect, Dibbs and Co have a rival in an elderly lady rattling a tin for the Red Cross. Benny mutters aggressively at her and Dibbs joins in, baring his teeth and barking like he’s about to go for her throat. After holding her ground for a few seconds and finding no one coming to her aid she moves several shop fronts along to the pavement outside Marks & Sparks.  

         Benny isn’t the first con man Dibbs has worked with and he’s far from the best but having smeared his face with cement he looks ready for the graveyard. Who can resist him, especially when the nutrition of his doggie friend seems more important to him than his own well-being. To illustrate the point Harry who works in the burger bar at the back of where they sit will come out with a bog standard burger and give it to Benny who despite his unhealthy appearance insists on feeding most of it to Dibbs. In return, he makes big, doggy eyes at Benny full of pathos and unconditional love which Benny in his uninspired way tries to reciprocate. Time this right when people are looking their way the result is likely to be a deluge of coins and the odd fiver or two. Happy days! 

         At half past eleven they give it a go. Cindy buys the burger and on slipping Harry a few quid he makes a big show of bringing it out and handing it to Benny who pretends to be pathetically grateful. 

         “Don’t you worry, mate,” bellows Harry in a voice that can be heard on the other side of the square. “I’m not going to walk by and let you starve. Ex-army are you?” 

         Benny nods his head in acknowledgment of his never-was past.

         “Thought so, can always tell. One day a hero and the next you’re on the scrap heap. What sort of people are we that don’t look after our own.” He strides back to the burger bar shaking his head at the shortcomings of his fellow countrymen. He’s really rather good and few can resist this sudden and unexpected assault on their conscience. Coins are flying from every direction and if Benny and Dibbs don’t keep their eyes shut they’re likely to be going legit for the white stick brigade. 

         Cindy passes by and smirks. She provides the wheels that gets them to the big events. She’s also the brains of their little enterprise and sets-up the stunts that draw attention to them. Right now she’s off to buy a new dress, she’s off clubbing tonight. At half one she’s back and we do the whole burger thing again. This isn’t just a good day, it’s the best ever. Everyone’s happy except some clod on the far side of the square who passes out, and falls face down on the pavement. Cindy goes over to take a look. An ambulance comes and goes. She returns, via several stalls, and Benny asks her what’s up.

         “Nothing much,” she says, “just that Bosnian woman selling the Big Issue. As thin as a rake, gawd knows when she last had a square meal. It’s her own fault, of course; doesn’t know how to work a crowd, no props, no patter, nothing, not even a mangy dog. No idea at all.  Bloody immigrant!”

The End.

 

Copyright Richard Banks