The Day of the Gecko by Robert G. Barrett Read Free Book Online Page A

underneath. Norton turned back to the now-silent talkback radio. No. What a man should do is write a letter to the paper about those clowns. But what could you say? And in a way you do have to feel sorry for them, I suppose. Take that first bloke. He’d be dirty on environmentalists because there’s no way he could ever pronounce the word properly. And the other bloke. Well, let’s be honest. If you were bom with a face like that you’d be filthy on mother nature too. And the last bloke? Shit! That’s a hard one. I know. Greenies get arrested near leafy trees. He got pinched near a lavatory. Les, you’re a dead-set genius. Norton raised his cup of coffee that was now starting to get cold. Trouble is, when it comes to writing letters, I’m flat out writing the date. And talking about the date — Les snatched a quick glance at his watch — I’ve got things to do, places to go and tapes to tape. And it ain’t getting no earlier.
    Les finished the last of his breakfast, then cleaned up as scrupulously as possible, hoping it would pass the landlady’s muster when she came back from Melbourne. One thing, mused Les as he wiped the sink for the third time, no matter how I leave the kitchen, it couldn’t look any worse than mine was when I left it.
    When he finished washing and wiping, Les thought he might give Billy Dunne a ring and tell him what was going on. He wouldn’t see his loyal workmate till Thursday night when they worked together and Billy might get a laugh from his fellow workmate’s situation. Les walked into the lounge, sat down on the samefootstool as Susie had and pushed the buttons on the phone.
    â€˜Hello,’ came a familiar voice at the other end.
    â€˜Hello, Billy. It’s Les. How are you, mate?’
    â€˜Les? Shit! Where have you been? I’ve been trying to ring you.’
    â€˜You have?’
    â€˜Yeah, so’s Price. And what’s up with Warren? Has he got asthma or something?’
    Norton’s shoulders gave a bit of a ripple. ‘No. He’s . . .’
    â€˜Anyway, don’t worry about it. Are you at home now?’
    â€˜No, I’m at Side Valve Susie’s joint. I’m looking after it for her while she’s away.’
    There was silence on the end of the line for a moment. ‘Side Valve Susie? That hairdresser from Melbourne?’
    â€˜Yeah. I’m staying here till Sunday while she’s down there seeing her family.’
    â€˜Aaah! That’s where you’ve been.’
    â€˜So what’s all the drama anyway?’ enquired Les. ‘You’ve been ringing me. And El Presidente himself.’
    â€˜Yeah. And Eddie. And George.’
    â€˜Fuck! What’s . . .?’
    â€˜You’ll find out at work tonight. I’ll be there and we’re getting them all out by eleven. Earlier if possible.’
    â€˜Shit! We’re talking emergency procedures here, Billy. What’s going on, mate?’
    There was a silence on the end of the line for a moment. ‘Hello? This is a phone you’re using, isn’t it? What was your name again? Clarry, is it? I thinkyou’ve got the wrong number, Mr Clarry. Hello?’
    Les nodded. ‘I think I get the picture. Okay, Gunther. I’ll see you at the pickle factory.’
    â€˜Auf Wiedersehen. Unt ebrytink gut for you and de family too plis.’
    â€˜Yeah. Danke.’
    Les hung up and stared at the phone. Well, I wonder what the bloody hell that’s all about. Christ! It’s been as quiet as buggery at the club lately. Nothing even like a drama, and we’re not really doing anything illegal anyway. No money changes hands. It’s all done on credit. As long as your credit’s okay, nothing illegal happens to you.
    Les stood up, drew back the curtain and looked at the trees running down Hall Street towards Six Ways. Ahh! It’s probably nothing. And Price does like to bung on the odd drama now