LordPeter List Literary Contest

The outlook wasn't brilliant for the gigolos that day;
The band was growing tired, with but one hour left to play.
So upon the handsome dancers grim melancholy sat,
And there seemed but little chance of Antoine getting to the bat.

Then a dark-haired woman entered, to the wonderment of all;
Her fresh and open countenance turned heads across the hall.
She settled in her chair like a queen in throne of state,
And Antoine slicked his hair back, and stepped up to the plate.

There was ease in Antoine's manner as he glided to her side,
There was grace in Antoine's bearing, and a smile gleaming wide.
"Mademoiselle is charming, in her gown of claret red;
"Will she have a drink?" said Antoine. "Strike one," Miss Harriet said.

"Do you hear the lilting music, graceful measures of the past?
"Do you see the ladies twirling, silks like flowers in the grass?
"All the charm of days forgotten, antique romance lives anew;
"Shall we join the dance together?" But Harriet said, "Strike two.

"You know it is a mask," she told him, "and a lie.
"Those women make good money, strong in arm and keen of eye.
"Like a flounder needs a push-bike, these women need a man,
"No fancy, costly costume will bring back the old elan."

"I see that you are wise, Mademoiselle, as well as fair;
"We two are not deceived by the passing fashion's flair.
"Let us leave this shallow glitter, and the hollow, brassy tune,
"And stroll together arm in arm beneath the honest moon."

Oh, somewhere down in Wilvercombe the sun is shining bright,
And somewhere folk are merry, and somewhere hearts are light,
And somewhere bands are playing, and somewhere children shout,
But not at the Resplendent -- charming Antoine has struck out.

-- a solitary red pawn

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