Charles Bukowski: A Future Congressman

in the men's room at the
track
this boy of about
7 or 8 years old
came out of a stall
and the man
waiting for him
(probably his
father)
asked,
"what did you do with the
racing program?
I gave it to you
to keep."
"no," said the boy,
"I ain't seen it! I don't have it!"

they walked off and
I went into the stall
because it was the only one
available
and there
in the toilet
was the
program.

I tried to flush
the program
away
but it just swam
sluggishly about
and
remained.

I got out of
there and found
another
empty stall.

that boy was ready
for his life to come.
he would undoubtedly
be highly successful,
the lying little
prick.