Title: Pink Eskimos

Author: James Norcliffe

In: Sport 8: Autumn 1992

Publication details: Fergus Barrowman, March 1992, Wellington

Part of: Sport

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Sport 8: Autumn 1992

1. Pink Eskimos

1. Pink Eskimos

At the bottom of the hill is the Superette. The lady is in gingham behind a glass counter. She has butterfly wing glasses and a thin mouth. I don't like her but I have to go to the Superette: there is no other shop for miles.

The pink eskimos are in a glass jar along with the white eskimos and the yellow eskimos. I only like the pink eskimos. The lady with butterfly wing glasses has a small stainless steel trowel which she uses to manoeuvre the pink eskimos into the little white bag. The bag is snowy white. I am glad she is fastidious because the pink eskimos are the cleanest things I know. There is a dusting of white powder on them which I know is fine and dry and would absorb a greasy fingerprint. When they are snapped in two they are the purest and most consistent pink. They are unsullied. I am pleased I don't have to smear-test the pink eskimos I buy from the lady with the butterfly wing glasses.

Today I am going to share my five pink eskimos with my friend Bruce. I know he is my friend because he has just shared a secret with me. This is that his father's name is Baldwin. I am sorry that Bruce has to live with the shame of a father named Baldwin, but I am proud he has chosen me to share this secret with. I am going to give Bruce three pink eskimos. One for my sorrow, one for my pride, and one for the cement of friendship.

For all that, I will not tell Bruce why I am giving him three pink eskimos. That will be my secret.