Member-only story
Last price: Chapter Twenty
Shiva confronts the Area Manager
Shiva was impressed. He thought capitalist ideology imposed one of two extremes on its workers: no work, no pay or work and pay. Neither seemed particularly reasonable. Pay and no work was, therefore, a comfortable compromise between the two. He put this view to Natalie who responded with exasperation.
‘This is serious, Alex. You’re suspended. That means you could lose your job.’
‘But in the meantime, I am here, getting paid, and smoking a chillum with you.’
Shiva had bought the small clay pipe in Camden Market. It functioned surprisingly well. In this land of unbelievers, he was particularly touched that it was adorned with a small carving of him, complete with dear Karkotaka with his head poised to the side of his Lord’s chin. Shiva gazed pink eyed at it. The charas was more disappointing. Sensibly it was not referred to as charas but came under a variety of names. Though Natalie mostly called it ‘blow’ or ‘weed.’ Seeing as Natalie was the purveyor of the smoke it seemed churlish to question its quality. Particularly as Natalie seemed so proud of her purchase and would often hold the small brown lump to her nostrils to savour its aroma. No matter. For reasons of nostalgia, it was worth smoking. The ritual was important. It kept Shiva grounded.
