The Subway Interview
Friday, 12th September 2003, 10:25pm
Me: I see the rain's started...
[No response]
Just as well you can come down here, I suppose.
[I stop and light a cigarette]
Cigarette?
Man #1: You're free with your fags.
Me: Well, you know, just doing my bit...
Man #1: Yeah, yeah, helping the homeless... right. Well thanks but no thanks.
Me: It's ok. I ought to give up the bloody things anyway.
[He nods]
Man #1: Death sentence.
Me: Too right.
Man #1: But good enough for us...
Me: No, I just thought... well, you know, one good turn...
Man #1: Oh yeah? Fucking typical. Nothing's ever for free is it mate.
Me: No, I didn't mean... I was just being friendly.
Man #1: And just passing.
Me: Yeah.
[There is a pause]
Man #1: Blockbuster out of videos are they?
[I realise I am not carrying any tapes following my visit to the video shop]
Me: Ok, fair enough. Look, I was just after some information, that's all.
Man #1: We don't do information.
Me: A chap called John sent me here. Said I should talk to you. Do you know a John?
Man #2: Like he said, we don't do information.
Me: I don't know if that was his real name.
Man #1: It sounds to me like you don't know much at all mate.
Me: No. Probably not. Which is why I'm here. Do you know of a man named Peter Marlin?
Man #1: It was John a minute ago.
Man #2: The poor bastard can't make up his mind.
Me: John was the man I spoke to. But the name Marlin, Peter Marlin? Does it mean anything to you?
Man #1: Look mate, it's not our job to find your missing kid. Chances are he don't want to be found.
Me: No, I'm not looking for a missing person. It's just the name Marlin. I thought you may have heard it. Peter Marlin? The PM man?
[There is a significant pause and exchange of glances between the men]
Man #1: No. I've never heard it.
[He turns to Man #2]
You heard it?
Man #2: No, me neither. Means nothing to me. Sorry mate.
Man #1: Seems you'd better look elsewhere.
Me: You're sure? The PM man? You haven't heard-
[He interrupts me]
Man #1: I said no didn't I? Look mate, we haven't heard of your friend, and we can't help you, so why don't you do us all a favour and piss off?
Me: Ok. Fair enough. But if you change your mind, get in touch, yeah?
[I hand him my business card. Without examining it, he tears it in two and discards the pieces on the ground]
Man #1: I can't change my mind if I don't know nothing, can I.
Me: I just thought-
Man #2: You heard him, mate. Now take a hint and fuck off out of here, will you.
[I put out my cigarette]
Me: Ok, I'm going...
[I leave]
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