| Joanne |
Down past the job centre and onto High Street Turns left and I'm weaving through the stampede of early morning eager shoppers until I get to my tent and grab my stuff I then drift over to my regular spot next to card factory setting up shop. Theres even more now on these streets than ever before. And day in and day out they're fighting over where to set up their pitches and their tents and what doorways to take shelter under. But I try as best I can to stay well out of those politics Just keeps myself to myself. Easier that way. This spot right here is MY spot. That's why I set up so early. So no fucker else nabs it. Perfect spot if I say so myself as I'm smack bang at a junction of high street. People coming from left, right and centre. So I lay down my cardboard, dump my bag and set up shop before I head off down to the housing office. Back through the kingdom of High Street passing the run down buildings and abandoned shops until I come to a stop outside the housing office. Just looking at it from the outside makes the butterflies in my stomach suddenly go all crazy. Flapping around all over the place. And not in a nice first date kinda way where theres this excitement as to whats going to happen next. It's in a crushing way as if the butterflies are trying to destroy me from the inside out. |
| Jo takes a deep breath |
|
| Joanne |
I push open the door after my first attempt at pulling fails. Walks in and goes straight over to reception Much to the stares of the people sat down waiting. The same stares and whispers I've become accustomed to. Joanne Chapman I say to the lady behind the desk who looks like she's pain'ted her face on in an early morning rush at 7am. I got a nine o clock appointment. The lady behind the desk, snobby cow she is, just hands me a ticket stub and says in a dismissive way Take a seat So I do I sits there with stub number 8 in my hand waiting for my number to be called. Number 6 please Looking around at the people in the waiting area and everyones avoiding eye contact. As soon as I look their way their eyes shoot for the ground. I softly smile at the guy opposite me. Trendy looking guy with cool white Nikes and beautiful blue eyes. He's having none of it though. Straight to his phone screen his eyes shoot. And although I may not hear the whispers of the others I still see them. In their faces. Judgement and ignorance. It's a toxic mix. But whatever. Fuck it. |
| Number 7 please |
|
| Joanne |
I remain quiet. Sitting there In my own world Minding my own business Just waiting and waiting For what seems like a lifetime. A few looks I can catch out the corner of my eye Looking at what you're doing. Looking at their possessions. Creating stories in their heads. About who I am. Why I'm here. How I got here. |
| Number 8 please |
|
| Joanne |
I'm up. Straight in the booth. Greeted by Mark as his name badge tells me He quickly begins with Morning Miss Chapman I'm/ /Let me stop you there Mark Before we start I just want to say that I'm not one of those fussy fuckers alright. I'll go anywhere in Newport House or flat mind I don't care what place in Newport I get today like, as long as I got a roof over my head and I got a place I can call home Then I'm happy Mark just stares at me A blank stare Right into my soul Exhales with a real huff Shuffles his papers a bit And says I'm really sorry Miss Chapman but after a review of your application the housing office have deemed you non priority for immediate rehousing On this occasion you won't be rehoused in permanent accommodation in Newport/ /I'm sorry what? I understand this will mark the end of the 56 day duty of care we have to house you. BUT I can give you information on new housing options in LEICESTER if you're interested/ What do you mean Leicester? Is this a joke? I'm afraid not Miss Chapman/ /So what now? My 56 days are up so I'm just on my own? just gotta stay on the streets? I'm afraid so but please do consider the option of Leicester. Your application was indeed strong and we understand you were unintentionally made homeless but there were more priority applican'ts during this/ /So what makes me priority then? Um well diagnosed mental health issues, physical impairments, pregnancy/ /What? So if I go and get myself knocked up I can get a house is what you're saying … Well it is isn't it That or flipping Leicester is the next best option? That's pretty much what you're saying to me Isn't it Football and Cheese Great I can't just leave and go to pissing Leicester. If you could please calm down miss/ /NO I won't calm down. You're literally telling me I'm not good enough Not worthy enough of a home. A house of my own. In my own hometown. No Miss Chapman. We're not saying that. So what are you saying then!? Just on this occasion you were unsuccessful. There are opportunities in Leicester though It's besides the point I can't just leave to go to Leicester Would you just up and leave? It would only be temporary So you would just have to re-apply when new housing becomes available here. You can always reapply. Reapply? Do you know how long it took me and the support guys to do this application!? How far away Leicester is? No I'm not doing another application. If you would please lower your voice? No I won't fucking lower my voice It's fine for you with your cushty job, secure wages and your house you get to go home to. What about me though? And its at this point that Mark tosses a glance over to the jacked up security guard with no neck for help. And before I know it I got a 6ft top heavy sloth who clearly skips leg day at the gym breathing down my neck Pointing to the sign attached to the booth As a warning of sorts Abuse is NOT part of the job Our staff will not tolerate abuse. Any abusive behaviour will be dealt with accordingly I just glance at the meat head beside me Look him up and down And I goes Go and have another protein shake mate But before I can continue my conversation with Mark The security guard grabs my arm and I jolt up out of the chair like I've had an electric shock. I say Dont touch me Don't you put your fucking hands on me mate He says madam calm down, you'll have to come with me I don't HAVE to go anywhere I say I haven't finished my conversation yet so back off yeah And the energy in the room is weird As so many people are doing the usual darting their eyes to the ground or keeping their eyes transfixed on their phone screens. On whatever game they're playing or article they're reading. Anything BUT to look at what's going on. Mr Nike sat there laughing, discreetly trying to record the commotion that's going on on his phone. The security guard is edging closer I'll have to escort you outside I goes will you fuck I wanna know from Mark why I'm not good enough for a house Why I'm not priority But Mark is just sat there fiddling with papers, trying his absolute best not to say anything. The security guard lunges towards me I'm screaming Get your grubby hands off me Don't you fucking touch me I'll bring this whole fucking place to the ground yeah And some fat old lady in the waiting area pipes up and snaps Will you watch your language. I have kids here. Uh are you shitting me? I goes to her You really think I give a fuck how you feel about my language? How any of you feel? And some of the eyes start peering up from the phones to see this action To each and everyone of you who are sat there making comments in your minds, passing judgement on my language and the way I go about my life this (Jo sticks up her middle finger) right here is for you. Yeah you see someone like me with some scruffy clothes on and a little bit of bad language and straight away you think oh what a foul mouthed drunk. What a bum. Well screw you all. You don't know shit about what I'm going through What I've been through I'm a human being Just like all of you. So go ahead. Judge. Make comments and tell me to mind my language. But take a long hard look in the mirror before you do yeah. |
| Beat |
|
| Joanne |
Oh just get her out of here The fat lady screeches The security guard begins to charge and tackle Grabs my arm I starts kicking over chairs Screaming in his face You juiced up prick. Wanker. But he's got a grip so tight on my arm My circulation is getting cut off as he's dragging me through the housing centre To the double doors. He opens them and tosses me out. Straight to the ground. Like he's taking out the rubbish. Throws my bag next to me. |
| Jo opens the bag to check its contents |
|
| Joanne |
Oh I bet you think you're a real hard man He just looks at me. |
| Beat |
|
| Joanne |
Help me. I say to him. Please. But the doors already shut in my face. |
| Beat |
|
| Joanne |
Prick |