The whole and the hole

/ Doug Jacquier

This piece was written for the weekly Unicorn Challenge to write up to 250 words based on a photo prompt.

Harry: ‘What’s that in aid of then?’

Beryl: ‘It’s a sculpture. To remind us of the homeless.’

Harry: ‘Jesus. The homeless? What about us pensioners, worked all our lives, and paid our taxes. Don’t talk to me about alcoholic layabouts.’

Beryl: ‘Don’t swear. We’re outside a church. No, that’s what it’s called.’

Harry: ‘What is?’

Beryl: ‘The statue.’

Harry: ‘What, Alcoholic Layabout?’

Beryl: ‘No, Jesus The Homeless.’

Harry: ‘Well, he was never homeless, was he? His Mum looked after him, his Dad taught him a trade and I’m sure he could always get a kip with one of the disciples.’

Beryl: ‘You’re missing the point.’

Harry: ‘What point is that? Cluttering up the park benches with statues so pensioners like us have got nowhere to rest? If that’s their point, they’ve done a damn good job of showing how much the younger generations think of the elderly.’

Beryl: ‘No, no, no. It’s to remind us to look after each other, like Jesus said.’

Harry: ‘Yeah and he also said God helps those who help themselves.’

Beryl: ‘No, he didn’t. People like you just made that up to excuse themselves for going back for a second helping.’

Harry: ‘Hey, where are you going?’

Beryl: ‘Inside the church to get the name of the sculptor. I’m going to use the money Mum left me to commission a statue of you to sit next to Jesus. It’ll have a big whole in its chest and I’ll call it Harry the Heartless.’

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