MISADVENTURE.

A COUPLE TRY TO MAKE OUT ON THE BACK STAIRS OF A CINEMA.

Rita sits
on the stairs
at the back
of the Ritz,
cinema
that is, not
the hotel
in London.

Cole is there
beside her,
not his turn
to project
the new film
on the screen,
two reels yet,
time enough
for a kiss
and cuddle,
so he says.

Bit draughty
Rita says,
sitting here
on these stairs.

Never mind,
Cole replies,
I’ll warm you
if you wish.

And do what
on these stairs?
They're cold
and dirty
where others
shoes have trod.

Besides, what
if someone
comes down here
and sees us
making love?

Where else then?
Cole inquires,
there's always
someone in
at my place
excepting
some Tuesday
morning times
when they're out.

What about
your own place?
Rita shakes
her blonde head;
Mother's there
all the time
excepting
Sunday mass
at the church
for an hour.

Kiss me then,
she says, quick,
before I
change my mind.

He kisses
her red lips,
his left hand
on her thigh
moving high.

She utters
a soft sigh,
moves her hand
stealthily
into his flies,
unbuttons,
moves inside.

She tastes sweet;
their lips stick,
his hand finds
stocking top,
touch of flesh,
pantyline,
doing fine.

Someone comes
down the stairs.

They quickly
move apart,
he undone,
all stirred up.

She panting
wanting more,
moves away
down the stairs.

Come on, Cole,
it's your turn
to project
the new film
on the screen.

OK, then,
Cole replies,
moving up
the hard stairs
to the box
where the films
are shown from,
feeling hot
buttoning up,
wondering
where Rita
had gone to,
his penis
calming down
in its nest
seeking rest.