illy901

So I guess that’s it then, paul said nonchalantly. It was it. It was all over. We hadn’t really started, but it waas definatly over.  You going to be ok? I mean how are you for money and  things?
I looked around the studio as if trying to seek out an answer from the mostly unused hitech studio equipment. I didn’t see anything that took my fancy. I reached into my pocket,  pulled out my wallet, and investigated the sum total of my worth.
Errr - I have about 13 euros to my name.
that’s it?
Yeah - you already said that? I unitentially added humour into what was a desperate situation. There was a prenat pause in our conversation.
Better find a job then ah? You planning on staying in Holland a little while longer?
Well I don’t have enough money to get a flight back to blighty, so I guess ive gotno choice in that one
Hows your dutch?
Non existant.
Ouch. You don’t have a residents peermit either. That means no benefits. Better look on you tube for some free dutchh lessons. Paul gave a weak smile. I returned a weaker one.
Cheers mate, I said, reaching over to shake pauls hand. All the best .
And with that I was out in the warm summers air, in the centre of Amsterdam.
As the studio was in a windowless basement, my exposure to the outdoor elements made me feel or the more alive. I got glimpes of conversations that I didn’t understand, as couples on bikes dodged toursits as they passed the studio. I could hear the murmerings of a tour guide emmited from the sound system of one of the boats in the canal, and over the bridge, the distant ring of a trams bell. I breathed a gulp of fresh air, and thought to myself this is it. I’m onmy own now.
I walked in the direction of my aprentment, not because I was planning to go home, but because there was nothing else to do. Thirteen euros wasn’t going to get me loaded on anything, and its all I had to my name, so I wasn’t planning on blowing it on a ten pack of henken.
On I waled, through the sleepy streets occupied by only the occasional tourist, and contemplated getting a cofee and take some time out from the time I was already taking out to think things through. I wasn’t compely sold on the idea, so I kept on walking, meandering across town pausing to look lazily in shop windows. I was confronted by somebody as I turned a corner and nearly knocked them over.
Terribly sorry!! I exclaimed, after a slight delay. The girl had practically buried her head in my chest.
Its ok - she replied. She spoke with an interesting accent. Our eyes met. She gave a sweet smile.
Lonely tourist?
Arr.. No no. far from it.
Well, lonely, yes. I smiled back
She laughed.
Cigeratee? She jestered a apcakcet of Marlboro towaes me and looked as if she expected me totake her up on her offer
No, its ok. I only smoke weed. I produced another smile.
Oh yeah, me too. Got some great stuff here today actually. She dug into her shoulder bag and pulled out a sizable wad.
Nice. you’ll be enjoying that later, then! With that I turned away to carry on with my jant. I was just about to say see you later when I heared her voice once more:
Want to join me?
Well, lets see. I don’t have a job, I don’t have any money, and I don’t have any plans. So why not?
Alright. I’ll be done in an hour. Come back here. I’ll eet you over by that tram stop.
Sure thing. Later!
I decied to get the coffee after all. Thre was a café just a scoss the sreeet. I order a copulation and haned over nearlya tenth of what I owned. I sat by the window, sipping my drink, looking at the world passing.