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Jaeger studied the face in the mirror reflecting
back to him. Aye, 'I,ve seen better days alright that's for sure. I'm
an old has been now, a right tart, as seedy as this bed sit' the
programme slid through his fingers on to the threadbare faded excuse
for a carpet. 'God, is this what it's come to after all this time? A
shout from the street below brought his attention past the grimy, grey
clad window, to the scene below. The crowd of party or theatregoers
were wending their merry way past, bringing back reminiscences of his
former second home, The New London Theatre.
Way back then in his hometown of Huddersfield, the
local paper headlines had screamed, 'Northern lad heads for the city
lights. Anther Wayne Sleep' they had said. That,so a laugh now,' his
lips sneered. 'If that,so so. how come he's working while I'm
resting?' Resting, that's what they called it when perfomers were out
of work. 'If that's resting I'll eat hay with a donkey' His days
consisted of trudging round theatrical agents, always in hope.
His eyes lighted on the programme and softened 'I
was in on the start over twenty years ago and stayed till the final
curtain. The brightest star, given the most intricate moves. I could
bump and grind with the best, now I'm just grounded. A parody of
Griselda, with just memories.
He checked again in the mirror. The years of
pirouetting, leaping, strutting and lifting had taken their toll on
fading looks. 'Once I had the pick of the petty boys and even prettier
girls. I was promiscuous in those days, who wouldn't be? All those
gorgeous bodies drooling over me, mine for the choosing. Now it's one
night stands in one- night towns in musty bedsits with other people's
trophies of grotesque chipped ornaments. I could leap higher than the
highest, now it would take me all my time to get my leg over, and
chance would be a fine thing!'
Dancers have to be thin but this is something else.
I don't eat properly. can't afford it.' His face darkened. 'I might
have to hole up with the old folks for awhile. That would be fun!' dad
was always a bit sniffy about the dancing, always having a go.
'Something up with that lad Mother he'd say. Bloody puff that's what.
All that prancing about.' Mam was more understanding. 'Would she have
been if she'd known I swung both ways?'
Jaeger M that was me but not anymore, just plain
Barry Arkright now. Northern folk don't go for fancy names even in
this day and age.
Ah well, just for one night I'll hit the and live
again. Who knows, I might bump into some of the gang, although I doubt
it. Most of them are on tour now except for one or two trays here and
there. Still Jaeger M put a smile on our face, a spring in your step
and who knows?
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