Pimp
By Regalo3000
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The woman trying to wave down a cab was very pretty and that's why Slow Motion supposed Smalleyes had stopped the van and decided to give her a lift. Where to? asked Smalleyes.
Are you a car service? she asked.
No, said Smalleyes, just trying to be a friendly neighbor. We're from the Banzai Institute.
Slow Motion sighed and stepped out of the van. The woman had a shopping cart full of grocery bags and Slow started to load them into the van. The woman seemed edgy. I don't know, what if you guys aren't who you say you are.
Slow Motion stopped, looked at her, and without a word started to unload her stuff.
I'm sorry, it's okay, I'll take your help.
Slow Motion began loading her things again. Soon they were on the road again. Where to? asked Smalleyes.
Barrel Avenue and Straight Street, she said, I hope it's not too much out of your way.
Smalleyes saw an old antique shop and asked the woman if she liked antiques. Oh, yes, she said she did, and Smalleyes parked in front of it. Somehow, it all seemed natural, logical. They were standing in front of the store looking at small wooden carved objects. Smalleyes and the woman went into the store. Slow Motion's attention was drawn to a group of people sitting in front of a building not too far away. If Smalleyes had found himself a girlfriend that was okay with Slow Motion, but it meant it would take them longer to get to their destination. But he couldn't remember what their destination was. He began walking towards the group of people. He suddenly realized that a play was being performed, a play about robbers and construction workers, and they were using the entrance and the windows of an old building that was repainted and redone to conform to the needs of the production. Then he noticed there were other buildings that had been semi rennovated, old run-down structures that had been painted with murals which were being used as backgrounds to other productions and actors were reciting lines and moving about in front of other crowds. Old abandoned buildings had somehow been restored as outdoor theaters. It was theater heaven ...
Smalleyes appeared at Slow Motion's side, saying, She's a hooker.
What? said Slow Motion.
The woman we picked up, said Smalleyes, she's a hooker. Imagine that?
Forget about that! said Slow Motion. Look at all of this! This is a wonderful idea! It's a new use for old abandoned structures!
I just fell in love with a hooker and all you can think about is the theater!
Slow Motion awoke with a start. He was lying on his bed in his room at the Banzai Institute. Wow, he said to himself, what a dream. Could any of it be possible? Could it be seen as beautification projects in neighborhoods desperately in need of such things? Turning dilapidated structures into works of art and public places? No, the old structures would have to be torn down being weak and old, and new ones built in their place to accomidate the art.
There was a knock on his door. He opened the door and Smalleyes was standing there. I need to talk to you, he said.
Come in, said Slow Motion.
I don't know where to begin, said Smalleyes.. He was pacing back and forth nervously.
You can begin by sitting down and calming down.
Oh, yeah, right, sorry. He sat down but was nervously wringing his hands as if he was washing them. I met this woman ... he began. She's really nice, but, there's another side to her ...
You've fallen in love with a hooker?
Bloody hell, how do you do it?
I just dreamt it, just before you walked in.
Bloody hell. You're right. What should I do?
Does she want to leave the life?
No, she doesn't.
Then it can only turn out bad. You'll waste your love on someone who doesn't know what love is.
She has a child she loves. She knows what love is.
I'm sorry, I might have been wrong. These things can be complex. You have to make the right decision for yourself. Remember also how it will reflect on your work with the Banzai Institute. People will not look favorably on it if they find out.
I'm willing to take that chance.
No!!!
Slow Motion awoke again. The dreams began to fade, becoming more and more unrealistic, out of reach. Someone was knocking on his bedroom door. It was Smalleyes. I've got good news!! he was saying as he entered the room.
You met a woman? asked Slow Motion.
No, said Smalleyes. No. There's no woman. I inherited a bit a property from my uncle who recently passed away. Problem is, it's an old run-down building.
Are you sure there's no woman? asked Slow Motion.
What's all this about a woman? No. There is no woman. C'mon, get dressed, I want to show you this place!
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What do you think? said Smalleyes. They were standing in front of an old run-down edifice.
I can see why it was condemned, said Slow Motion.
Is it a fixer-up? asked Smalleyes. Do you think Buckaroo would give me the money?
To turn it into what? asked Slow Motion.
I don't know yet, said Smalleyes.
How about a soup kitchen? asked Slow Motion, looking off into the distance. There were several hookers standing on a street corner. Heaven knows you can't have enough soup kitchens. Then, on certain days it can be turned into a performance space.
Two purposes! said Smalleyes. Will it work?
Unknown, said Slow Motion. But, I do know it would be painful.
In what way?
Let's go get some breakfast, then I'll tell you.
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I don't believe it, said Smalleyes as they sat eating breakfast in a small coffee shop. Me, fall in love with a hooker? I don't believe it.
If you decide to do anything with the space, this will happen.
But I don't want to fall in love with a hooker. The very idea is repulsive.
Now it is replusive to you, but, when it happens love will be blind; you wouldn't feel the same way about then as you do right now.
I'll sell the property then. So it won't happen.
That's up to you.
What do you think I should do?
It's your property not mine. Your life not mine.
I'll sell it, and then I'll never meet this woman. How does it turn out? My relationship with this woman?
I don't know.
Maybe I end up becoming her pimp and get arrested and get kicked out of the Institute?
I don't know.
Thank you, Slow Motion. I'm selling it. Smalleyes, rose, paid for his meal, and left the coffee shop without saying another word.
Slow Motion walked past the old building. What adventures there would have been, he said softly to the decrepit old structure.
A woman accosted him, it was the same woman from his dream; same face, same voice. Hi, sweetheart, looking for a date?
He looked her in the eyes with such ferocity that she backed away some. You have a child.
Yeah, what of it?
Leave this life, for the child's sake.
How did you know?
He started to walk away.
Hey! How did you know?
But he said nothing. In the entertainment business you always left them wanting more. In the spiritual business, you always kept them guessing.
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