Coffin

The goth in the coffin sat up; straight backed, arms outstretched, Bella Lugosi style.

'You shouldn't come here done up like that.' Martin Sr. - five foot nought of starch and hair-oil winding down his days tending the dead - dropped his briefcase on the slab at the bare feet of the corpse. The briefcase contained one apple and two tin-foil wrapped ham and mustard sandwiches. Every day. Without fail.

'No time to change,' said the goth, Martin Jr. - no relation - climbing over the lip of the coffin. 'It was come in like this or come in late. How would you lift him by yourself eh?'

'Should have got out of bed sooner.'

'Ain't been to bed. You think I get dressed up like this for an early night.'

'Well stay in here, the customers will think you're taking the piss.'

'This is the customer,' said Martin Jr.

Martin Sr. picked up the clipboard. 'Beach,' he read, 'closed casket.'

Martin Jr. appraised the corpse. Hospital gown and no make-up - yet someone, no doubt the other Martin, had combed his black hair.

'He could have been open. He looks pretty good considering.'

'Heart attack,' said Martin Sr. 'Family gets what the family wants.

'Not like some, nothing in the world would get me on a motorbike after what I've seen here.'

'I know your type,' said Martin Sr. as he slid his hands under the man's shoulders, 'you think it's cool - edgy.'

'I told you before, it ain't like that.' Martin Jr held the man by the ankles.

One - two - three. Heave!

'Morbid. That's what it is.'

'It ain't like that. I just like the look and the music - nothing else.'

Lid on - three hits to each nail. Both men working in tandem.

'Help me wheel him out front before anyone turns up and sees you.'

'It's just a look, you know. You should see the girls in it.'

'I've seen enough.'

They perched the box on the rollers, at the lip of the incinerator. Poised.

'One to build for tomorrow. Oak, open, red velvet trim. You want to give me a hand.'

'If you don't mind man I'll just take a nap - late night you know.'

'So long as your up in an hour for the next guy.'

'I will be.'

'Aw not in there!'

'I like it. It's comfortable.'

'Wierdo.'

The goth in the coffin closed his eyes and sighed. Out front, the cough in the coffin went unnoticed.