Body to Go by Matt Potter

I’m squatting naked over the hand mirror, feet cold on the terrazzo floor, looking at my winking arsehole. It reminds me of her face: eyes sloe, nose tiffed, lips harrumphing. And the badge bobbing above her right breast: ‘Tiahna – your friendly trainee’. I glop the paintbrush in the crab lotion and slather it on my hole, perineum, under my balls. I favour broad strokes – no pointless pointillism – but stab the cracks and folds precisely. The crab lotion tingles and burns, stinging all senses. And I have my entire body to go! Arms, chest, stomach, underarms, back, pubic hair, legs, feet, toes. Yes, I am that hairy. Yes, the crabs have taken over. EARLIER Tiahna – factory-fresh, rust-free, go-go-figured circa nineteen year-old Norwood Chemist junior – inched the Benzemul Application bottle from the top shelf. “Do you sell paintbrushes too?” I asked. She handed the bottle to me, nostrils glaring. My head steamed. “I might be forty-nine but I can still get crabs!” I said. “Which you get from fucking.” Distaste churned in her face. “I’m infested with pubic lice,” I spat. “I need a lot of paintbrushes to apply this stuff. Although a dipping vat would be better, but I bet you don’t sell vats either.” Tiahna shook her head, scanning and bagging the Benzemul bottle. LATER I unfold to a stand, forty-nine year-old knees cracking. Swapping to a broader brush, I slather my chest. Then stop. A paint roller would work so much better. And I’m scratching to see Tiahna again.

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