The Twelfth Night by Chipka
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Description
It took eleven nights to say the right name and score a meeting:
--eleven nights in a cellar bar, where spoken Czech was currency that got you past 133 kilos of bald, bad news at the door.
No one said it would be easy.
Jay and Vitt, who ran their own arcane trade in the liminal world, were the ones who'd given him the names, the codes, and last of all, the address.
“You're a fool,” Jay said: his American accent lost somewhere in the murky depths of his past. He was a skinny guy, black, with eyes like something predatory. Paolo didn't trust him. “I'd talk you out of what you're doing, if I could. But I know you, Paolo. So I'll save my breath.”
He said where to go.
He said who to meet.
He didn't ask for anything in return: proof enough that Paolo had ruined things between them. Proof enough that they'd never see each other again.
And now, at a strange hour past midnight, Paolo stepped along the serpentine length of Vodičkova Street, eating some strange species of hamburger. Something local. Pork, wedged between two chewy buns and dolloped with shredded cabbage and ketchup. There was grease in the food, there was bread, and that was all he needed: a cushion against the night's required drinks.
“You must move slowly,” Vitt said, in his sonorous, Russian accent. “It will do you no good to cackle like an impatient chicken.”
Twelve nights of patience was what it took to meet her. Charity. The woman Jay had known for more years that Paolo wished to consider. They'd been friends, Stateside; and then something happened. She left or he left, no one knew for sure. But they were both here now, and it was Paolo who needed her: a buyer for what he had, someone to take the load he could no longer carry.
“We're art-trade,” Jay had said. “We don't touch tailored biologics.” And yes, the association was over. There were whole compacted layers of warning in those two simple clauses.
“I know,” Paolo said, accepting Jay's unspoken terms. “But you know people.” He'd hoped that he wouldn't have to ask, wouldn't have to mention the one name Jay didn't want to hear. And no. He didn't have to mention her.
He ate the last of his pork burger, stepping over the rough irregularity of rain-dampened cobblestones. He felt his toes spreading in his shoes, as if to add to his balance. He checked his reflection in a storefront window, but saw only a silhouette-ghost, haloed in blue casino neon. He couldn't make out his features, and so he could have been any John-Doe on a foreign street.
The mass of what he carried itched along his spine.
But he had a name. He had a contact. And tomorrow—or the day after—he could leave that hotel room, three floors above Wenceslas Square. He could get on a plane. Go home. Go somewhere else. He could do that. He could become someone else. And when he did that, he thought, he could see his reflection in a window; he could see a face.
***
I didn't know whether to put this in "Atmosphere and Mood" or "Photomanipulation." I guess it's a bit of both, but with the extensive diffusion filters added, it's quite obvious that this image has been manipulated.
As always, THANK YOU for viewing and commenting and I hope you've enjoyed this piece.
Comments (27)
ToniDunlap
Awwwww Do It! Great!!! Makes me think that I'd like to take a promenade in the evening there. Wonderful photography!!!
danob
Great Job and one the Bard would approve of.. Looks fine and where it should be..
mbz2662
I like it Chip. Great work.
beachzz
Oh, you just keep surprising me and I love it; your fotos and then your words, knock me out every single time!!!
auntietk
Wonderful mood!
Jay-el-Jay
Fine photo work and it fits perfectly with the story.They complement one another well.
samyyous
Dear friend, your shot is full of life .. colors and motion .. Congrats ! I would like to thank you for your comments and hope you shall be a famous writer and photographer also .. keep in touch ..
photostar
The manipulation which you have done to the photo gives it vibrance and an added meaning to the storyline.
MrsLubner
A fabulous shot of nightlife and it has the feel of it as well. Outstanding capture.
stolta
Wonderful capture!!!!!!!
MrsRatbag
Wow, I want to read more! And the image is perfect...well done, well done!
RobyHermida
Wonderful capture!!!!!!! Roby --------------------------;O)
SSoffia
LOVE YOUR NIGHT CAPTURES & YOU LIGHT BY NIGHT ALSO !"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Heathcroft
Very well written and the picture illustrates it perfectly. Chicken or egg conception?
NekhbetSun
Oh yes, story and image are a perfect marriage...loved them both and I even read the story twice :o) ...excellent writing, as ususal Chip! ~ Hugs ~
rainbows
Your know how much I love your night shots and writing. Wonderful atmosphere in this capture, dear Chip.... so good to have you back with us. Big Hugs, dear friend. Diane. xx
nikolais
whatever, the result is awesome, Chip!
Janiss
Really gorgeous Chip! The character on the left is good for this excellent POV... I adore my friend!
cole4965
Awesome scene!
PD154
Excellent capture, great semse of urban nightlife and movement, cool story too!
Fred255
Good light the blues jump out!
furuta
Beautiful neon, great shot!!
Optiramma
That was entertaining! I must say, were I an editor, the line: "Pork, wedged between two chewy buns and dolloped with shredded cabbage and ketchup." -- is worthy of a Hugo Award. That drew me right in.
Savage_dragon
I really need to find the time to visit your gallery more often. I really enjoy it & get caught up in the stories. Very nicely done, my friend! ***** ")
ges
Great moody nightshot.I like the glowing lights and the contrasting saturated colors.
Mousson
what a fantastic colors!
sawade
Hi Chipka, I luv the colours, you gave the pic in your postwork, the mood. And it is a lucky moment, you captured. All the best from Germany, Bernd