A little lineup in the little printing shop

a little outlet of the large UPS chain

four people, each completing tasks, all spaced out (kinda sorta)

from lengthy counterspace to slick glass entry door

By door, two giant copiers take up the frontage space

At one of them, fifth person, tall sexy female, tight bum-lifty jeans

Leans back upon machine, her black mask hanging down

Not far enough to veil her plunging décolletage

Another, shorter woman enters, number six — she hesitates

Murmurs something, something really hushed I don't quite catch

Directed, so it seems, to sexy female

Lounging very near her in the chilly entryway

Short woman, very short, with pale red hair

Bright red beret, plumped-out down-filled bright red coat

Stout brown boots, stays paused there in the doorway

As sexy one, abrupt, raps out "No! none of your business!"

Short one looks surprised — says she's just asking

For masking, a tasking required, when indoors

Sexy repeats it's none of short one's business

she's not that close, should leave the shop if she's uptight

Also opines, bit louder now, that short one is plain crazy

Pathetic and just totally insane

Short one reiterates request

Now adds that she's immuno-compromised

Sexy ignores this gloomy added info bite,

insists that it's not up to short red one

she doesn't get to ask for masking

because. . . she doesn't work there!

Broadening her aim, sexy turns to challenge me

The classic query — what am I looking at?

It's none of my business, she sharply says

Or rather, shouts . . . not wildly though

More a thought-out shout, a volume tweak, intentional

Sexy seems in full control, not flipping out, not frantic

Performance vibe of practiced bold display

a female peacock, maybe? showing off surprising male fan tail

***

Part 2 of "What is Pleasure?" follows . . .