Hi John.

Thank you.

I pondered quite a while over the last line. Originally ended without it,
but didn't feel right, so I tried the present arrangement. Was just trying
to get the right finale and 'back to work' seemed the only conclusion,
really - no matter what you wish for, you have to deal with what's in front
of you - sort of thing. Thanks for the suggestion - I'll ponder it some
more.

Cheers and thanks,

Frank

> Yes indeed, nice work Frank. Apart from the last line, which to me reads
> like a note that there should be a last line, without actually being one.
>
> Then again, maybe it's just a question of bringing the narrative frame
back
> in:
>
>
> that's what I like best
> good straight-forward madness
> that you can do something with
>
> but you don't see much of that
> anymore
>
> he sighs
> I grin
> and grind out the butt
>
> time to get back to work
>
>
> Erm, well, you know what I mean.
>
> Best wishes, john e c
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Helen Clare" <[log in to unmask]>
> To: "John Carley" <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Saturday, November 15, 2003 9:00 PM
> Subject: Re: Sub - not a lot, anymore
>
>
> Frank.
> Just a quick read. I love it! It's spareness and its subject. The thought
of
> longing for a simpler old-fashioned kind of madness. It's very neat.
> Helen
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Frank Faust <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Saturday, November 15, 2003 8:36 PM
> Subject: Sub - not a lot, anymore
>
>
> > not a lot, anymore
> >
> > we're standing in the staff courtyard
> > it's break time
> > and we're doing coffee and a cigarette
> > when he says to me
> >
> > I've always worked in psych
> > I love it
> >
> > I've never been tempted
> > by anything else
> >
> > it's changed though
> > from the old days
> > oh
> > a hell of a lot really
> >
> > a deep drag
> > the blue smoke of a moment of reflection
> > a sip out of the styofoam cup
> > and he adds
> >
> > you know what
> >
> > about a year ago
> > we had a real old fashioned case come in
> > like we used to get
> > in the old days
> >
> > no drugs
> > no family history
> > no obvious causes
> > just crazy
> >
> > mad as a cut snake actually
> >
> > it was a first presentation
> > and it took a while
> > but we fixed him up
> > he got better and we turned him loose
> > he hasn't been back
> >
> > that's what I like best
> > good straight-forward madness
> > that you can do something with
> >
> > but you don't see much of that
> > anymore
> >
> > time to get back to work
> >
> > ~
>