Free A Chancer by James Kelman

paused. Then he went on. You shouldnt have got fixed onto a bus that’s leaving when you’re supposed to be at your place of work. I mean that’s daft; it’s
silly. Christ, if everybody did that we’d be as well shutting down on bloody Thursday night!
    Tammas nodded.
    A carry on so it is. The foreman looked at him. You had Monday off this week as it is.
    I had diarrhoea.
    I know you had diarrhoea.
    I phoned in.
    I know, we’re grateful.
    Tammas glanced at the floor. Look, he said, I’m going with a few of my mates; it was them made the arrangements.
    I’m no denying that. I just think you should’ve made sure it wasnt going to interfere with your job. I mean some things are bloody more important than holidays.
    Tammas nodded.
    Away you go . . . The foreman returned his attention to the things on his desk.
    •••
    The door had opened. He sat up. And rubbed his eyes when the light came on. Margaret was saying: Somebody at the door.
    What?
    Billy. I thought you came ben here to read?
    I fell asleep.
    No wonder, with the light out! Margaret was smiling.
    Tammas nodded. He yawned.
    Stepping outside his room Margaret called: Come on in and get him Billy.
    The footsteps and then Billy was at the door, grinning.
    Tammas pulled his shoes out from under the bed, slipped them on and quickly knotted the laces. He grabbed his jerkin from the back of the chair and ushered Billy out into the lobby. When the
outside door was shut and they were walking downstairs Billy said: What you doing in bed at fucking 9 o’clock at night! Then he laughed: Dont tell me ya dirty bastard ye.
    Shut up ya cunt. Tammas punched him on the shoulder. That’s my fucking social life you’re slagging!
    Billy laughed. Naw, he said, I was expecting you in a while ago man.
    Hh!
    We could’ve gone for a game of snooker.
    Tammas stopped. You kidding?
    Naw, Christ – too late now.
    What did you no come up and get me for! Fuck sake Billy.
    Tch aye, I should’ve.
    Tammas looked at him and shook his head. I mean I take it you’ve got fucking dough?
    Aye. Billy shrugged: I won a couple of quid.
    Fuck sake!
    Alright alright.
    No wonder man. I said I was fucking sorry.
    Aye I know but . . . Hh! They continued on down the stairs and out through the close, heading towards
Simpson’s.
    •••
    At dinner time on Friday he redeemed his suit on the road home from work. He met the others in the pub as arranged, the parcel under his arm. John failed to appear. Donnie was
saying: I knew it, the cunt’s been too miserable to take the afternoon off.
    As long as he makes the bus, said Billy.
    Ha ha ha! Rab said: I hope he fucking misses it!
    Ah give the boy a break, said Donnie.
    Ach!
    Who’s sleeping with him anyway?
    Tammas.
    Aw thanks a lot!
    The other three laughed.
    I didnt even think you were listening! Anyhow . . . Donnie chuckled: You dont have to worry; with five of us it’ll mean he can sleep by himself.
    Unless it’s three to one room and two to the other.
    Aye you never know right enough.
    Billy smiled. It’s alright, I’ll sleep with him.
    We can toss for it, replied Donnie.
    Naw, said Rab, let him if he wants!
    He’s no that fucking bad.
    You kidding! You wouldnt know which way to turn with the cunt!
    That right? Donnie cried: In that case I’ll fucking sleep with him!
    The bus was scheduled to leave Buchanan Street Station at 6.55 pm and they were to meet back in the pub for 5 o’clock. From there they would be taking a taxi to another
pub closeby the depot; any latecomer was to go there directly. When Donnie and Rab left to get a bus home the other two strolled along to the betting shop. Billy borrowed a £1 from him. Just
for an interest, he said with a grin.
    What’re you skint!
    I didnt want to take any chances man I left the dough in the house.
    Fair enough, said Tammas. He gazed up at the formpage tacked onto the wall then he moved along to the next one. The runners for the 2.30 were being loaded into the stalls. He wrote out his