James Kelman - A Chancer

Hang on a minute, said Tammas. Look Vi. .

O look yourself!

Come on. .

Come on what!

Hey jimmy! The driver was frowning at him: You annoying the lassie?

Naw. He sniffed and then stepped inside, sitting down beside her.

The driver was waiting.

Eh Vi, going to tell the fellow the address?

She said nothing.

Come on Vi.

She shifted on the seat, stared out the window.

The driver said, You okay hen?

She turned, puffed on her cigarette and stubbed it out in the ashtray. Then she cleared her throat and gave him the destination. The journey took more than ten minutes. Nothing was said during it. Tammas sat gazing out the near window. Occasionally he noticed the driver watching him in the rear mirror. At her closemouth he tipped the driver before following her in and upstairs; she lived on the second top storey. She muttered unintelligibly while fumbling on the front door key. Neither had spoken to the other since leaving the taxi. But now, with the door ajar, she glanced at him. She said: I told you no to come.

He nodded then shrugged and about turned. The door did not shut immediately, not until he had reached the first landing. And he paused a moment before carrying on down the stairs and out through the close.

The south side of the city was unfamiliar to him. Aside from the name of the main road he recognised nothing. He walked quickly. The windscreens of parked cars had frosted over and his breath came out in puffs of steam. In a gap site piles of rubble and different stuff had been heaped as though for a bonfire and the frost showed on the edges of it. He halted at a doorway to light a cigarette. Then the sound of a taxi approaching.

•••

McCann was crossing the road, glancing sideways and moving quickly to avoid a big lorry. Reaching the pavement he brushed the sides of his trousers, shaking his head and gazing after it. These bastards try to splash you! he cried.

Tammas nodded.

They walked on together, detouring to the corner of the street where Billy lived. While they were standing waiting McCann asked, Any fags?

Naw. . Tammas brought a cigarette dowp out from behind his ear. This is to last me till Christmas.

McCann smiled. That wife of mine’s, she’s started hiding her handbag!

Another five minutes passed before Billy appeared. They strode along the main road, pausing occasionally to look in at the displays in shop windows. It was Billy stopped at the jeweller’s. Still there, he said, pointing to a gold watch with a white face and black Roman numerals.

Billy! McCann shook his head. D’you think there’s only one of the fuckers! Christ almighty, they’ll have half a hundred of them through in the back shop.

What?

They’ll just take a fresh yin out whenever some cunt buys one.

Hh.

Maybe no, said Tammas. A lot of jewellers like just to have a couple of things at once.

McCann was about to reply but his attention was attracted elsewhere, and he muttered, See yous in a minute. . He crossed over the road, watched by the other two. He approached a man and woman who were standing outside the post office.

He’ll be trying to tap them, said Billy.

Tammas nodded.

McCann and the pair were chatting now and the other man could be seen laughing at something said by him and then putting his arm round the woman’s shoulders.

Tammas said, Come on.

They started walking, halted about fifty yards farther on, at a corner beside a pub. Tammas took the dowp from behind his ear and struck the match, got it going. Billy asked, Give us a drag man?

Tammas gave him it.

Billy dragged twice on it and returned it. See the results at Shawfield last night?

Naw, no yet.

Only two favourites. Punters must’ve took a hammering.

Maybe.

No think so?

Depends.

Billy nodded.

McCann was walking along on the pavement opposite now.

When he made the crossing he did so without looking in their direction. The other two fell into step with him. He winked and led them into the next tobacconist’s. Billy laughed: You’re a genius.

Think nothing of it, replied McCann.

After signing on they headed round to the job centre but Tammas halted at the entrance. See yous later. .

What d’you mean? asked Billy.

I’ll see yous later.

Where you off to?

Just a message.

Aw aye. . Billy glanced at McCann.

Look, said Tammas, and he smiled, held his hands palms upward. I’m away to see if I can get a few bob. If I can I’ll fucking send you a postcard, alright!

No want us to come with you?

Naw, best no.

Billy shrugged.

Just as he was about to walk off McCann brought his cigarettes out and gave him one. Hope you’re lucky!

Tammas grinned. Ta.

A few guys in boilersuits were standing about talking together at the junction of the main road and the street leading up to the factory. He recognised a couple of faces but made no acknowledgments. He stood with his back to the wall of the pub for a time. Eventually he entered. A man stared at him and smiled: How’s it going? You got a job yet?

Naw, said Tammas.

Through in the lounge he spotted Murdie immediately; he was sitting at a table with another man towards the rear of the room. Tammas, he said. He looked at his companion: Mind Tammas?

Aye. How’s it going Tammas?

Ah no bad.

Take a seat.

Naw, no got much eh. . I just come in when I was passing and that — Murdie. That message? Mind?

O aye. Murdie nodded.

Can I see you about it?

Outside! grinned Murdie.

Naw, I dont eh. . Tammas sniffed: Just for a minute.

Actually, said the other man, I’ve got to go for a slash.

Tammas sat down as soon as he had gone.

Want a fag? said Murdie, opening the packet and giving him one.

It’s that twenty quid man. Tammas paused, accepting a light. He exhaled smoke.

Murdie was shaking his head. I know. I’ve been meaning to fucking weigh you in long before this. But listen Tammas dont fucking worry about it I mean at least you know you’ll get it.

Tammas nodded.

I mean I gave you that tenner.

Murdie that was fucking ages ago. Aye, I know, Christ.

I mean I’m right out the fucking game man. . Tammas sniffed and stared at the table.

Murdie sipped at his beer and grimaced. Tammas, he said, I’ve got three fucking weans. Christmas is coming — know what I mean?

Tammas frowned at him then glanced away. He had noticed the other man coming from the lavatory.

Murdie was saying: I know it’s out of order but what can I do? I’m owing half the wages this week as it is. I mean I’m no kidding you. I was up at that chemmy a couple of week ago and took a right fucking hammering.

Tammas looked at him.

Honest.

When am I going to get it then?

Soon.

Soon! Tammas shook his head, inhaled on the cigarette.

At least you know I’ll give you it.

Hh.

The other man was returning. Tammas got up and moved out from the table. Murdie asked, Have you seen auld Ralphie?

Tammas made no reply. The other man had sat down and was sipping beer. Murdie continued: He was talking about you the other day, wondering how you were getting on and all that.

Tammas nodded.

I’ll tell him I saw you.

The other man gestured at the pint of beer he was holding: You no having one yourself?

Naw, said Tammas.

•••

He blinked and shielded his eyes from the glare of the electric light. The book he had been reading lay closed; it dropped into the hollow left by his elbow and he raised himself to see the time. It was just after 3 am. He got off the bed.

Rain was falling. He stared out the window, watching some of it gather in a puddle on the ledge. He drew the curtains, went to the bathroom and to the kitchen. He filled a kettle to make tea and put on the grill, toasted a couple of slices of bread. When it was prepared he returned with it to the bedroom and got undressed and into bed. He had a cushion which he packed in beneath his pillow, opened his book at the page he had left off reading earlier. Then he reached for a slice of toast.