COIN OPERATED

To my left, there are two fat friendly Indian women, sat next to me on the cheap prison yellow coloured benches, laid out here for us all to sit on.

How are ten people?,( if all machines are used at the same time), suppose to share this meager bench.

It's cold. Cold.

Outside the heavens have opened, and two little boys, who have come from the park are crossing  the road.

They look like they have taken a bath fully clothed.

It always amazes me how cars always seem to drive faster in the  rain.

' PUSH IN TO LOCK '

The washing machine doors are clean on the inside, almost, apart from the gangrene around the rims.

The bottom of the machines are matted with scum.

It's uncomfortable here. As the fat grey haired ladies in the corner, are the owners of this establishment.

 It's amusing, having been in a few launderettes in my time, a Hindu one made me chuckle.

Directly on the wall in front of me, there are two pictures of middle aged Asian men, in an ornate black and silver frame.

These items the owners do clean, probably everyday.

They sparkle as the light from the window hits them.

The men, one fat both old are smiling. One of the pictures is taken in this very place, in the Eighties or so.

This you can tell by the highly flammable launderette suit he is wearing.

  

  The Eighties is what this place is stuck in.

The prison yellow painted benches, the mismatched blue linoleum tiles on the floor, all beaten up and grotty around the corners.

A hint of home comforts show up now and again. In the left hand corner of the shop window, is an array of well cared for potted plants.

Ferns, tomatoe plants placed decoratively on a black broken plastic milk crate.

The women beside me are eating, as they move the bangles that adorn their wrists jingle jangled.

Their protruding bellies straining their clothes.

The way that they sit with their necks blending seamlessly into their bodies, make them look like the little Buddha's that tourist would bring back from their travels.

' SMALL  MACHINE £3.00'.

'PLEASE NOTE THAT CUSTOMERS WHO ARE USING OUR MACHINES IN THE LAUNDRY HAVE FIRST PRIORITY OVER CUSTOMERS WHO JUST WANT TO DRY THEIR CLOTHES FROM HOME. THANK YOU.'

     A man comes in from the rain outside, wearing a blue paddington hat. His beady eyes look like that of a teddy.

Now all three of them are watching me. Wondering why I am here.

  A jade green plastic garden chair is by the front door, making up for the small  seating arrangement.

It's cold in here, help the aged is what springs to mind.

' THIS LAUNDERETTE IS FULLY STAFFED '. Is on a peeling art deco style sticker on the front door.

What exactly will they help you with?. So far nothing, all that they are doing is keeping each other company.

They laugh.

The machine in front of me spin's faster and the drum finally stops.

    To my right is the back door and a window showcasing washing powders, Daz, Ariel, Persil all lined up to be sold.

Maybe a little at a time, like a corner shop, in which they sell you single cigarettes illegally.

The man sits down directly facing to the right hand side of me.

They laugh, and speak in Hindi, so i can't tell if they are laughing directly at me.

A machine in the far right corner spins at the end of it's cycle making the hole room shake like a train would, if it was under foot.

'SHIRTS IRONED ONLY 80p'

The machines have a detailed description of operating.

'WARNING'

' DO NOT USE THIS MACHINE BEFORE READING THE OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS'.

Too many rule.