"shit, man," groans ROOSTER, "what the fuck are we gonna do now?"

"let's go to nice, catch some rays." suggests DUSTY.

within half an hour they are sat at a cafe just off the beach at nice. an interesting episode passes between them and the waiter who insists on speaking english despite their proficiency in french. this leads to much piss take and tension eventually resulting in an argument over lemon juice for pancakes. it takes the waiter a good ten minutes to produce it, trying to juggle too many customers at once.

"what the fuck is this?" yells DUTCH, "all i asked for was some fucking lemon juice and all i get is this lemon saying in a minute and then running off to suck on the german cock over in the corner. i'm beginning to feel like we're not being treated with individual respect here gentlemen, i'm beginning to feel decidedly shortchanged."

"there's only one thing for it," says ROOSTER and he nods at DUSTY who trips the waiter up and spills coffee on him.

"shit, I'M SORRY, son."

"we'd better go." ROOSTER gets up and the others follow, DUTCH tossing a 100 franc note onto the floor.

they stroll along the beachfront and choose a spot to sunbathe right next to a beautiful girl of about 16 who just happens to be with her parents. while DUSTY shaves under the beach shower, ROOSTER and DUTCH concentrate on this beautiful piece of flesh much to the annoyance of the parents. DUTCH wanders over to the girl and converses in French with her. All is going swell until the father tells him to fuck off.

DUSTY joins ROOSTER and DUTCH retreats leaving the girl giggling.

"that's dangerous territory, son," says DUSTY.

"yeah, maybe, it would have been more dangerous if she'd been in 'le village'. might have been truly lethal for all concerned."

they spend the morning swimming, fighting the Med and talking about heading back to Italy to meet the man they all got together to meet. it's a film project that is to be thrashed out with some hot shot producer. their attitudes to this varies. DUSTY is unmoved but looking forward to it with a certain sick pleasure, another joker to pull some strings on, ROOSTER is full blown ready for the ride and DUTCH is quiet and confident. they are all convinced this will make them, give them a whole lot of time and let the creativity flow.

"let's go to monte carlo on the way back. just grab something to eat, wander around the place a bit." DUTCH says as they pull out of Nice.

"sure why not?" replies DUSTY.

"do it." says ROOSTER.

and so we close in on the climax. the inaction demanding an action. what will become of monte carlo, the film deal, the friends all restless and shot through.

as they reach the city limits they are stopped at traffic lights where none other than the girl from the beach is crossing the road, alone. she recognises the three and smiles. DUSTY whistles and begs her to join them. DUTCH begs her also and flings open the side door. she blushes and says no. they beg her some more with the line of traffic getting all angry behind them. they explain they're off to monte carlo and that they'll drop her back home later. she finally agrees and they race off under the midday sun.

"i can't feel my fucking foot, guys."

"shut up, DUSTY."

Matt Falloon