Gullfest

I watch them from a safe distance, biding my time before deciding on when to move without being observed.
They pose in their uniforms of dirty grey and white with flashes of dull yellow.
They strut and call out tactics in code from their positions next to the arcade.

One, small in comparison to the others, stands silent and away from the group, poised ready for action.
He is like me, the loner,the opportunist,ready to strike the unwary and the newcomers who are ignorant of their ways.
That's the one I will follow when the signal is given.

More arrive, sliding in where they can adjusting their colours as they settle.
As the minutes count down they become restless, squabbles break out as they jostle for a vantage point.
I move now, slowly hugging the walls as I slip towards my chosen target,a group of teenagers sitting beneath the clock tower.
Their dogs restless and straining on their leads will offer a distraction when the time comes.

As the clock chimes it begins.

The long narrow street provides little escape as the squawking gulls swoop down low on the crowd.
Young and old scream, curse and shout as the birds empty their stinking bowels on unprotected heads.
Food is plucked from fingers, fruit snatched and sandwiches seized from unguarded stallholders.
Fish and chips strewn over the pavements is gobbled up in a thrice, bulging refuse bags are split open and the contents plundered.
Nothing goes to waste.
Amidst the chaos I casually lift up a handful of bags and shopping that are lying on the bench.
The howling dogs leap and snap at the winged intruders as I slip away unnoticed.
I smile,rich pickings I think for a few moments work.
Cash, credit cards and a few phones to sell later in the pub.
As I make my way down a side street I spy another potential target, a couple arguing.
An expensive designer bag lies propped against the wall unattended as they bicker.
I cancel the move,I have enough,the bag is marked for another day.
I acknowledge the gulls as they return to the rooftops sated on the mornings spoils .
Tomorrow, all I have to do is read the signs and follow them to another street.