Leaving Messages
He walks into the flat and drops the leather briefcase against the table. His keys go in the bowl full of spare change, frequently plundered for parking meter quarters. The light on the answering machine is blinking and he hits the button as he walks into the kitchen, tugging the knot of his tie out and away from his neck and undoing the top buttons.

"Mike, its your Dad" he hears as he reaches into the fridge for some OJ. "Wondered if you saw the game. What poor defending, eh? There were more offsides than... well. Give me a call son, I'm thinking about you. Wondering what you want for Christmas. Talk to you soon. Bye."

BEEP

"Hi Mike, its me, Sophie... well of course its me, who else would it be? I didn't get the role but don't worry, the bastards won't grind me down, I'll get right back out there and find another. My shift is nine till two tonight so you'll need to make your own dinner. Aarnon says they're casting for the next Spiderman and I could maybe make it as someone called Gwen Stacy, is that good? Does she have a good back-story? See you later hon."

BEEP

"Mike. Mike... pick up Mike. Mike? Mike, stop being a dick and pick up. Okay, either you're still pissed or you're not there. Are you still pissed? Pick up. Stop being so damned immature and... look, if you're there you're being a pissy little immature kid about this whole thing. If you're not... call me when you get this message, k? See you at the next game? I swear you can have the spare tickets next game. Next game, promise, k? Bye."

BEEP

"Mike, its D, I realise we haven't spoken in something like four months, not since you skipped the pond and set up in New York. Hope things are going well for you, I don't see you around anymore buddy, guessing you're okay and just, y'know, adjusting to new life and settling in and making your way in the world and looking for that special bar where everyone's gonna know your name. Life's different without you. Caught the Tim Burton movie in Camden last night and thought of you. Anyway, well, you're probably busy with life and everything so I won't bug you any longer. Oh, and by the way, you left me the login to your site."

BEEP