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Sport 32: Summer 2004
Jimi
Jimi
The Matterhorn—which gets referred to as The Matterho', or, The Horn—has the legend PEOPLE engraved into their funky doorhandles. You have to turn your head sideways to read it.
It's three in the morning, and cold. They all stand in the long corridor/alley leading to Cuba Mall, not talking much. There's a kind of specialty cult comic store next door: Jonathan stands looking blankly through the window at life-size cardboard images of befanged, befurred, beclawed superheroes. Then he starts talking, starts doing one of the characters or voices; this one is not familiar; maybe it's new, invented just for the occasion.
—Yeah, man, I was in my pyjamas on the sofa, man, and it was three in the morning, and I was eating icecream, I was on the sofa, and suddenly there's this thunderbolt, man, and it's Jimi Hendrix—
This bizarre monologue goes on for some time. Riki and Rio ignore it, continue staring toward the Mall, giving no indication of hearing. It reminds you of breakfast, touring, when while his host stood waiting for the kettle to boil, Brian de Grane unexpectedly was taken to court for speeding. No, Your Honour, Brian de Grane. Quality Used Vehicles, Your Honour, at an affordable price. In fact perhaps I could interest you in—?
It went on for ages, over the smell of burnt toast, and the birds twittering. No one paid any attention whatsoever.