A Box of Photographs - Tiga

Photograph #8

This is a photograph of a dark grey rucksack. It is not on anyone's back. It is being held to the petrol tank of a motorbike, presumably the one from photograph #7, with a green and grey bungee cable. The cable is stretched tight against the bag; it bulges out on either side of it. It looks like a small grey creature being asphyxiated by a thin little python. You wonder why this photograph has been taken.

Photograph #9

Another photograph of the motorbike. Parked, this time, at a petrol pump. The bag has been removed in order to fill the tank, but the tank is not being filled. The young man, one hand on the leather seat, is bent over, head craned round to observe the underside of the tank. His other hand is over his mouth. Beside him, crouched on the ground, is the pump operator. You know that he is the pump operator because he is wearing a red cap and polo shirt, the same red as the pump behind him, emblazoned with the same logo. He, too, is looking at the underside of the tank. His face is grave. You suspect there is some kind of problem with the bike.

Photograph #10

This photograph confirms that there was, indeed, a problem. Dark petrol splashes are shown on the concrete forecourt. Dripping down, you assume, from a hole in the tank. To the left, the bungee cable lies on the ground. Its sharp green hook shining, wet, you deduce, with petrol. It is coiled up, snake-like. Guiltily. In disgrace.

Photograph #11

The young couple, and the motorbike. It is parked, now, at the side of the road. They are sitting in front of it, perched on their helmets. Hers a metallic burgundy, his white with a blue stripe. He is surly, smoking. She is wearing round, tortoiseshell-rimmed sunglasses with dark green lenses. Her face is dirty. She is smiling. A 'making light of the situation' smile. Behind them, banana trees. Yellow and green. Sunshine and shade.

Photograph #12

The hotel room window from photo #7. The curtains drawn, the lights off. The inhabitants could be sleeping. They could be awake. You can't tell. But, like the first photo, you know they are inside again. There is a packet of Marlborough lights on the bamboo table, and a light blue towel hanging, impatiently, on a chair.