Last Exit to Brooklyn - Hubert Selby Jr by Hubert Selby Jr. Read Free Book Online Page B

he looked at Rosies snatch. Her legs were raised and
she rested her head on her knees staring at a spot on the rug,
waiting, as always, for Goldie to speak and she would jump. Georgette
turned her head and tried to think the Bird back into her mind, but
she slowly turned her head back, unable to ignore Rosie, or avoid
thinking about her. Rosie had always been more than taken for
granted—she had never been thought of. Not even as a demented
human, but as a scooper: someone to scoop up the empties; to buy the
bennie; to meet the connection . . . Georgette looked at the spot on
the rug, then back at Rosies face. Who was Rosie? What? Did she
think? What did she feel? She must feel something or why would she
stay with Goldie? Had she ever loved? Was she ever loved? Could she
love? Georgette looked at the leer on Harrys face, the lust breaking
through the junk facade. If Rosie were to move Harry would jump up
and lay her right there—hold her arms, bend over her with his
leering face next to hers ( spit dribbling from his mouth) and shove
it in if he had to fight for—Georgette lifted her head so she
couldnt see his face. If Harry did have sex with her would she enjoy
it? Would Rosie feel anything? Did she ever think of it? Did she ever
long for love??? An analogy started to form and Georgette had to
fight it, she had to fight before it defined itself or she would not
be able to ignore or deny it. She popped more bennie and gulped gin.
She almost puked from the gin and in panic ht a cigarette and sat
still, smoking, until the nausea passed (the analogy becoming
fainter) then turned up the radio and concentrated on the music,
snapping her fingers, looking at Vinnie and hoping the bennie would
soon overtake the tea and Vinnie would get with it.
    Camille asked Georgette what the name of the number
was that was being played, saying she liked it very much, and
Georgette told her, and who was blowing and Camille started moving
slightly in time with the music and Lee turned to her and told her
not to wiggle like a slut in heat. And I really dont see how you can
listen to that trashy music Georgette. You who love Opera so much. O
really Miss Thing—Camille moved back and sat still—take the
icecube out of your ass. Vinnie laughed and Georgette turned to him,
coyly, turning the volume up a little more and marked one up on Lee,
took a drink of gin and when the record ended and another came on she
asked Camille if she liked it, digging the glance she directed at
Lee—well dont look at me honey. Its your bad taste not mine—and
Camille wished she new what to say, if she liked it or not (did she
like it?), looked at Sal and shivered again. Its alright, I guess
(would he be as rough as he looks?).
    The phone rang and Goldie tapped Rosie on the head
and she jumped up and answered it, then turned to Goldie and said it
was Sheila. Goldie listened, said yes and hung up. Shes coming home
with an all night John so we will have to go down to Miss Tonys. O
that place is loathsome. Well Lee, you can always go home, if you
have one. Rosie, heat up the bouillon. O I think youre awful, living
with a woman. O youre just jealous Lee. Why dont you just go about
your own business Georgette. Honestly Goldie, I really dont see how
you do it, even if she does support you and keep you in bennie. I
think that that is my business Miss Lee. Hey, whats all this bullshit
about? Were going downstairs to someone elses apartment. That is if
its alright with you Harold. I honestly dont see how you can have sex
with her Goldie. Or do you only eat it? O O OOO. Goldie flew from the
room and Rosie spit at Lee and ran after her. O for heavens sake,
dont be so touchy. The guys started stirring and digging the scene,
but didnt know from nothin, so they just shrugged and Georgette
looked after Goldie and inquired if she was alright and Camille was
much taken aback, after all this is not the way ladies should act.
And Lee is supposed to be so elegant. This sort of thing