James Kelman - A Chancer

Tammas looked back at him, then added: Hh.

Aye, went on John. So I just ended up I got fucking up and walked out.

Did you. .

Aye. Fucking browned off man, just sitting about there all night, week in week out. . John frowned and he leaned closer to Tammas and he whispered: How the fuck do they ever expect to get a lumber man? I mean fuck sake — Simpsons !

85

Tammas chuckled.

Naw I mean even trying to get them to go up the fucking town for a change; new pubs, new scenery, the discos — anyfuckingthing!

You’ve got a point John.

They both drank from their glasses of beer. John grinned across at him. So this is where you’ve been hiding! You’re a fucking fox Tammas — see if Donnie knew!

Tammas smiled.

But what about yon lassie? Betty — what about her?

He shrugged. Ach, just passing the time. The now I mean, being up here.

Aw aye. John nodded. Are you still going with her like?

Eh. . I dont think so, no really.

Aw, aye. . John nodded again then lifted his glass and swallowed a mouthful of beer.

The queue at the bar had lengthened and he had to wait a while to be served. Everybody was having to shout their orders to be heard above the general noise. Tammas bought four bottles of beer. Back upstairs he told John, It’ll save time.

Good thinking. John took his first one and poured it into his glass. Then he leaned forwards across the table; he sniffed and whispered: See them along at the next table up from the pillar. He nodded his head in that direction and added, One of them’s got a blue blouse and black hair. What d’you think man?

Tammas wrinkled his nose. Wait a wee minute yet.

Aye okay, but I’m just saying man I mean. .

Aye but we’re no in a rush.

Naw I know that but eh — no fancy it man? Eh? they’re no that bad. I mean it doesnt matter if we get a knockback.

Tammas looked at him.

Naw I mean Christ, everybody gets a fucking knockback now and again.

I know that John; fuck sake, I’m no worried about that.

Well then, Christ, just to get started.

It’s only fucking ten o’clock.

John nodded and looked away. He lifted his glass and held it, not drinking, staring down at the people dancing below. When the song ended he continued staring down for several moments, until the next one began. He turned to Tammas: Hey man I heard you’d chucked the job?

Did you?

Aye.

Hh.

Billy was telling us the night; he met your big sister or something.

Tammas nodded.

So he said.

More people were getting onto the floor now. Some were coming from upstairs, including the two girls sitting along by the pillar. John pointed them out below and he made to say something, but Tammas nodded and stood to his feet. Okay, he said, and he grinned and rubbed his hands together.

Great! John got up at once then hesitated, indicated the beer. What d’you reckon?

We’ll chance it, come on.

The girls were dancing together, not too far from the edge of the floor, where there was now a row of tables and chairs. Tammas and John walked forward, strolling round the side of each one, and began dancing, without saying anything. The girls moved slightly from facing each other, so that they were more in the direction of Tammas and John. And John began to call to the one with the blue blouse and dark hair, attempting a conversation. Soon afterwards Tammas had edged his dancing in such a way that he and his partner were facing away from John and the other girl.

He gazed to the side of his partner’s head, towards the band, watching the female vocalist as she sang the chorus at one of the guitarists. The girl he was with was taller than John’s. She had yet to look in his direction. For a time he looked at her but still she stared elsewhere. At the end of the song he said: You staying on the floor?

She shook her head. He nodded and walked off immediately. John was behind him, tapping him on the shoulder: See mine! he was saying; Terrible! No kidding you Tammas, trying to chat her and that man like talking to a brick wall so it was, fucking murder man — what about yours?

Tammas continued on up the stairs to the balcony. Their beer was still lying on the table and nobody was sitting there. John made straight for the rail and sat down on the seat nearest, gazing over. There they are, he said. See them?

Tammas nodded but remained where he was; the position he was in it was not possible to see over. He lighted a cigarette, glanced round about, then said, How’s the time?

I’ve no got my watch on. Still early but. . John returned his attention to the dance floor, and added: Would you ask them up again?

Would I fuck.

Naw, neither would I man. There’s plenty other yins but. John sat around and raised his glass and drank the rest of the beer, and he reached for his second bottle, poured it in.

Tammas sniffed. To be honest about it John I think I’ll get going I mean I actually only came in to pass the time.

What, how d’you mean?

Naw man I just eh, came in to pass the time, I wasnt going to stay.

Tch, fuck sake Tammas.

Naw — Christ, that was how I came, just in out the rain for an hour, Trying to keep out the boozer!

John nodded. Then he stared over the parapet.

Honest man, I’m going somewhere else.

Are you?

Aye, Christ. Tammas had poured in his second bottle of beer and he drank most of it in one go. He rose, I’m just leaving this.

Where is it you’re going?

Eh it’s a club.

Aw.

Well no really a club man a kind of casino, it’s a kind of casino.

A casino? Is it that one you were telling us about already?

Aye, probably. He pointed at his glass, the beer that was left in it. I’m just leaving that. . I mean if eh. .

John nodded. He had lifted his own and was now drinking it all down. He stood up afterwards, wiping his lips. I’ll come with you, he said.

Tammas looked at him.

Naw I’m no fucking doing anything anyway man I mean it looks like it’s going to be fucking rubbish here I mean. . He shrugged and went on. See sometimes you start off bad you feel things arent going to work out I mean that fucking lassie with the blue blouse man you could tell she wasnt fucking interested. I knew it right away — no fucking point even trying man.

Fine.

•••

Rain was falling quite heavily and neither had an overcoat. They walked quickly, occasionally trotting, keeping in as close to the buildings as possible. When they arrived down the lane Tammas rang the bell next to the POSITIVELY MEMBERS ONLY notice while John remained out beyond the small entrance lobby in the shadows. He had to ring the bell again. There was an orange light contained inside it which went out once the button was pressed. He glanced at John, pursing his lips and shrugging. Then the door opened. The doorman was more than 6' tall. He said: Aye?

Hello, replied Tammas, and made to enter. But the doorman stood where he was.

Where you going son?

Well I was going to go inside. Is it alright I mean can you sign us in or what?

Sign you in? The doorman frowned. You been here before like?

Aye, a couple of weeks ago.

The doorman shook his head.

Well more than that. But I definitely got in and I’m sure it was you done the signing for me — there was three of us.

It wasnt me signed you in son, it must have been one of the ones you were with. The doorman glanced sideways along the lane. Then he muttered: Who was it you were with anyway?

Murdie McKinnon, and a guy called Rankine, I cant mind his first name.

The doorman nodded. I know wee Murdie. . He looked at John and added: Many are you?

Just the two.

Ah right you are then okay. . The man stood to the side, opening the door for them. But mind, no noise or fuck all. And you better get yourself a membership card in future.