Sunday 29 May 2011

Earth to Elvis


Scene:
Paddington Markets on a bleak Autumn Saturday arvo

Characters:
One little old lady with the wisdom of the ages, aka con-artiste.
Two needy types in over their heads, aka suckers.


Cars whizzed by within a yard of her oblivious back. She strained to hear the softly spoken supplicant, her demeanour ripe with understanding. Her inner eye keeping watch on the partner, slightly off-stage, alert to any change of posture, that might indicate derision, or lack of taking the hook.

The Elvis badge jiggled on her devil-may-care cotton hat.

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

I think I'd listen........just to listen.

Wonder what she thinks about her business going international??? LOL!

Kay L. Davies said...

I always like to imagine the morning thought process: "Okay, I'll wear this, with that, and then add a sweater, some chains, formal earrings, my winter jacket, my red summer hat with the knitted pom-pom and the Elvis badge on it, then I'll put my glasses on so I can see how I look."
Great photos, Julie. You really caught a moment in time here!
— K

Kay, Alberta, Canada
An Unfittie's Guide to Adventurous Travel

Christina Klas said...

I love this. What a story! You have a way with words.

Unknown said...

Elvis was a Mississippi Guy, Like me!!!! I love the character that you can capture when you photograph a person, great shots.

Leif Hagen said...

I like the top portrait photo of Phyllis the palm reader in her ruby red hat! I just wonder how accurate her predictions are...

Rinkly Rimes said...

I'd love you to give me permission to attempt a poem about this wonderful character and her red hat. Though maybe your own words are poetry enough.

PerthDailyPhoto said...

I love these photos Julie, she looks like such a character whether she can read your palm or not, she would probably be good value just to have a chat to. The hat is an extra bonus haha!

brattcat said...

I'm not certain whether you've captured the subtle texture of her craftiness or we see it because you've created it in our minds.

Dianne said...

Priceless - I want her hat!

Julie said...

She is a ripper isn't she?

Brenda, go for it. Permission given. I love how you can take something like this and weave a rhyme around it.

I don't think it is all my doing, BC - although I give it a hefty nudge!! I think the vestments play a role, and the sign ... my prejudice is based on the environment. She was not a little old granny out eating icecream with the grand-kids.

Jack said...

Aw, with a nice granny face like that, how could she be other than innocent?

Jilly said...

Ha, love this! Not all of us are sweet ol' ladies... she looks a tough cookie. Superb photos.

diane b said...

I love Kay's comment, she had me chuckling. great portraiture as usual. Maybe she honestly believes in her craft.

Joe said...

If the "lady with the wisdom of the ages" saw this post I think she would be quite chuffed.

Joan Elizabeth said...

Julie the top shot is marvellous. The expression on her face and that hat. It's a surprise to find she is a palm reader. Ooo I love that hat ... not to wear but for the photographic delight of it.