Mr Wiscom

Mr Wiscom sits on the floor,

The little red light flickers weakly, like an imagined heartbeat.

I remember...

Phone calls - hours long, with a phone bought at an indian discount shop. $5? $10? I don't remember.

It had the shortest cord, and the only working socket was in the living room.

The only air conditioning was in the bed room.

There were but 2 chairs in the house, both were too tall to sit and use the phone.

a nsf recruit got $450 a month.

an honours graduate in engineering got $450 a month.

The phone bill was about $300

There was a reserve, present but untouchable, in australian dollars, in american dollars, just in case... just in case.

So with sleight of hand and quip of mouth, Mr Wiscom was claimed.

And served like a loyal manservant he did. The darkest secrets, the brightest hopes...

Stowed away and homeward bound, he served again, watching every meal catching every word.

And now as the red light flickers, flickers, dies...

I remember.