Purchase Today
In the last moments of closing time the remaining
purchasers are confronted with a choice. In the
rear aisles, certain characters chant miss-
remembered union melodies, demanding product life
cycle extensions. A fluorescent light twinkles the rhythm
of nervous feet shuffles. Along the boundaries of the
designated aisle zone a bargain remains un-purchased. In
tandem with the brussels sprouts, Isla's roll on deodorant
tailors an odourous shrinkage. Diane inspects the arrow
of the lime green exit sign, mistakes it for misdirection,
is noodled accordingly. Louis' oyster black quilted bag
dangles, with elbow on hip and left arm crooked at a
banana angle. The swivel casters rolling an
anachronistic trolley snap and crackle as they are
mysteriously traversed between the gaps in the vinyl
tiles. A light beam drifts down on aisle 5, illuminating
the newly arrived reduced salt baked beans. Theo
brushes the mashes of dirt off crème potatoes for the
sake of later emerging as dutiful. While certain of her
ambitions, Isla looks left down the aisles
questioning the crammed organisation of rows and rows
of shelves. It is time proper for Penelope to step
away from the anthropomorphic jowls of denial.
There is a cockroach that flutters in and out behind the
underworld of shelves and taste-tests the sudden
atmosphere. Please enjoy the entirely emerald daylight
beans. Froth on the fabulous frozen fish. Retire remains
of an afternoon grollicking. Great value all around. A
ducted air conditioner rustles on the condition that
Theo's hair conditioner remains lavender. The swoosh-
whoosh squeak of a wrinkled forehead gasping around in
sudden doubt. A pastel balloon exclaims a bright lettered
bargain. The airwaves coil below to Diane, now ordering
oranges alphabetically. David cheekily pops a grape into his
mouth and scrunches the sweat from his brow with a
complimentary basket wipe. The hooks of the closing time
clock ticks in tune tension buzzing from puzzled purchasers.
To soothe himself, the Clerk expresses sentiment in the
form of advertising slogans.
About the author
Nick Chlopicki is currently completing his Honours in Creative Writing at the University of Wollongong. Nick has publications in Tertangala, Menace, Marrickville Pause, APL's digital chapbook 'Tell me Like You Mean It' and recently a short-play called Luvstuff staged as part of DIY. He currently resides in North Wollongong.
