Under The Counter: Cigarettes, Plastic Bags And Porn
“CIGARETTES to be sold under the counter,” says the Time’s front-page headline.
Says the paper: “When the ban on displaying tobacco products is implemented England will join just a handful of others to have taken the step. Ontario, Canada, has passed legislation forcing cigarettes under the counter which comes into effect this May. Two administrations in Australia – Tasmania and the Australian Capital Territory – are also taking steps to keep tobacco out of sight.”
This is the UK’s peer group, an outpost in Canada looking for an identity – and Canada’s Most Intolerant Province” is a start – and bits of ozone depleted Australia.
And through the smoke we see a vision of the future. See the smoker approaching the check out girl, a light sweat forming on his brow, hands growing clammy, face reddening. Fear. Death . Addiction.
Man: Do you have any biros?
Shop girl: Blue or black?
Man: Blue…er, blue… And a Lucky Dip, please. And a packet of chewing gum and some headache tablets.
Shop girll: Anyfink else?
The shopper leans forward and whispers, his not breathy crosses the counter.
A security guard fingers his walkie-talkie. Eyes narrow. A queue has formed. Sounds of shuffling feet. Tutting.
Man: The man reaches inside a carrier bag (cries of “Shame!”, “Murderer!” and “Kill him!” are heard). He produces a copy of Necrafillia Monthly and whispers “..and Twenty Bensons. Wrap them in this please.”
Shop Girl: Twenty Bensons, was that? TWENTY BENSONS.”
The man throws a pile of cash at the girl. He is running. Running. Eyes burning holes in his flesh.
Next!
Posted: 24th, March 2008 | In: Broadsheets Comments (9) | TrackBack | Permalink
