Give a sucker an even break

‘Suck, bitch!’
Reluctantly I take it in my mouth, ignoring the too-familiar smell and taste, and begin to suck. The stones on the pavement hurt my knees; he stands, looking down at me, glancing around, watching for police.

Suck, suck, suck.
The faster I do this, the sooner it’s over.

Suck, suck, suck.
This was not in my ambition when I came to this country; I had dreamed of nice work, in a fashion shop maybe; not this, not this illegal and immoral business on this dark wet city street.

Suck, suck, suck.
My parents would be so ashamed if they saw me now. This wasn’t what they had in mind for their daughter; nobody would want their child to do this work. I try not to think of what I am doing; I just think of the money I am making.

Suck, suck, suck.
Back home I was educated; my teacher told me I could be anything I wanted to be, so I came here. Look at me now, I hate myself.

Suck, suck, suck, suck, suck, suck.
I lose concentration and suddenly my mouth is full; I retch and spit, trying to get rid of the awful taste. He laughs.

‘Keep your mind on your work, bitch.’
I quickly stick the end into the container. It spurts out like it’s never going to stop, a fountain! He grunts in satisfaction when he sees how much comes out.

Tonight I have done really well; I’m making lots of money for sure. Maybe it is better than begging, but I still don’t like it.

He pries the fuel cap from the next car, feeds in the siphon; he is king of the fuel thieves. I get back on my knees; take the tube in my mouth.

Suck suck, suck suck.