"night falling"

by Martin Chipperfield

Read Inside

wrong way

the only car faster
than their crazy thunderbird
wails in warning behind them
and flashes red, white, and blue
forcing renata
into the gravel

the police approach the car
with caution, guns outstretched
ordering the law-breakers out
hands raised

what’s the hurry with you? an officer says
no hurry, renata says, none at all
i never realized how fast
i was going

show me your licence, the officer says
and when renata turns to reach
inside the car to get it
the other officer, still nervous, cries:
freeze! don’t move!

davis is leaning across
the top of the car
hands outstretched
and renata is turned towards him

their eyes meet
frozen

we’ll get the licence, the officer says
but as he moves towards the car
the engine of the thunderbird
suddenly explodes in flames and smoke

when the police have dowsed the flames
they contemplate the blackened bird
and one of the officers says:
you won’t be going any farther in this car

davis walks away along a freeway exit
renata staring after him
and for a moment davis turns
to see where he has come from
and the sign says go back
you are going the wrong way

rickie lee, she cries
wait for me, if you are leaving me
i want to go with you

she catches him on the overpass
thousands of cars flashing underneath
davis turns and laughs
renata look, he says
i had a winning streak

he empties his pockets
and dollar coins spill everywhere
they laugh together
showering each other with money
like confetti

oh rickie lee, renata cries
you are the most wonderful man i know
and throws her arms around his neck
but the sudden movement
brings him to his knees

at first renata hits his head
with closed fists
knocking him flat out to the ground
then as he rolls across the concrete
she kicks him time and time again
and every time she kicks him
she cries, i love you, i love you