For Prose for Thought this week, hosted again at Verily, Victoria Vocalises, I’m publishing a little ‘word picture’ that I put together a good while ago, and which is (if the person who recounted the incident to me, an even longer time ago, is to be believed) founded on fact. All I’ve done is to add a little colour and atmosphere, for which, as they say, I haven’t charged you any extra.
Just a point before I go on: I am certainly not wanting to make a joke of drinking and driving in itself, which tragically claims lives, nor to mock efforts to control it, by publishing this. I most certainly support the police in their efforts. OK? Then I’ll continue…
Somewhere near the centre of a Midlands city, at around 11 pm. on a Friday, a police patrol car has stopped behind a small and rather battered-looking white van. The car’s blue beacon is still flashing. The officer has walked from his car to the driver’s door of the van, and opened it. The ‘motorist’ has fallen out, his head and body on the road, his feet still tangled in the pedals. A miasma of beer-laden breath pervades the immediate vicinity.
This is the moment. The officer’s mien is static, his face inscrutable. The erstwhile driver of the van is motionless simply because he is helpless. The rotating beacon is the only visible sign of any movement, indifferent to the frozen charade over which its blue beam traverses.
And then, the moment is over. The incoherent occupant of a small piece of tarmac attempts to pick himself up but success eludes him. The officer begins a dialogue with a question which epitomises the paradoxical dignity that accompanies the absurdity of official inflexibility:
“Have you been drinking, sir?”
Brilliant!! Great juxtaposition of multisyllabic prose and the prosaicness of inebriation. 😛
I don’t understand a word of what Judith says but I loved this – such vivid description!
Haha, I will translate: “wow Phil, those are some big words to describe being drunk”
I am with Helen! Judith I am baffled so will google some of those words, But Phil its fab!
Phil, what an extensive use of volcabulary – you have such a way with words. I love having your different posts link up to Prose For Though for such a great variety
I enjoyed reading this, Phil. It paints a picture of the scene so brilliantly. Thank you for sharing it with us x
I can quite believe this to be true, although it could just be the way you’ve written it so eloquently.
Thank you for sharing, it gave me a smile! #chucklemums
Hahaha, “Have you been drinking?” *burble* Thanks so much for linking up with #chucklemums and well done on the badge 😉