²⁴ Second day, London.
"Action to prevent anti-social behaviour over the summer in X, north London, has stepped up a gear with the introduction of new 'good behaviour zones' in some areas.
Intimidating groups of people causing anti-social behaviour could be banned from designated areas for up to 24 hours to prevent trouble escalating and to protect residents."
Dialogue on a bench.
You’re from around here ?
Sleep around here sometimes. Homeless.
That’s a tough life
Yeah, it’s a tough life
Been here a long time
35 years
That's a long time
What you do before
Was in the Army. 6 years. I’m Irish.
Dublin Cork
Cork
Don’t you think about moving back one day. Make a fresh start
A fresh start
That’s it.
I think he then says
Buried my daughter six months ago.
I say Damn
I’m not sure I heard well. His mouth barely moves.
I said Damn
Maybe he doesn’t understand me well either. We’re sitting on a bench in the sun. His eyes squinting, as if hiding from the sun.
I don’t have nothing there anymore
I’m a chronic alcoholic
That’s tough
My hands get all trembly
Silence
And what about joining a discussion group or something
It’s no use
We look at the grass in the sun, squinting
It’s no use.
He opens a bottle of Famous Grouse, Finest Scottish Whiskey, 20 cl 40 %
Gulp it down
It’s no use.
Got to get going, mate.
He mumbles, inarticulate, is it "homeless" and "pennies", squinting, the two eyes wounds that still see.
Nice to meet you
Take care
But I don’t turn back
It's no use.
Did he say he had buried his daughter six months ago
Damn
Maybe I should’ve left a few pennies in his palm.