Cigarette slung at the side of the mouth

And the queer lilt in the stance

Gained many shadowed second glances

The trench coat did not hide the intent.

One of his girls swung round his waist

Every so often going for another shot of clear liquid

He never seemed to notice, wrapped up in his next scheme

The stream of nagging tourists

Irritating to breaking point.

He chewed on all the vile possibilities

His knuckles arching to split skin.

His mind swimming he still gripped his balance with scarred fist

Shaking it into existence-

And leaden legged he emitted caution

And omitted mercy.

Dice rattling in his pocket only when he shifts his weight.

Romeo shifts his eye and waits for the perfect moment

Glass in hand and rage damaging his logic

He swings in the name of honour, in the name of recent love

And smashed away automatically this giant demon waves him off

Romeo the Tourist.

Our man, cloaked and daggered cigarette still slung

Girl still strapped to his waste, writhing with spirits

Unharmed and unwavering by a hasty infantile attack

Cleans the blood off the girls dress and turns away.

Subterranean and wooden, climbing the stairs like a cadaver

His musty breath stings the night air.