fix the pipes

you call
your landlord
to complain
about the clanking
pipes.
the radiator
banging
loudly
throughout
the night.
it's affecting
my relationship
you tell him.
no one wants
to spend
the night with
that noise going
on.
i'll lower the
rent, he says,
how's that.
no. you say.
i'll let you have
a dog, a cat
too, he bargains.
no, you say.
I want it fixed.
I want the pipes
to stop making
noise.
how about I repaint
the apartment
for free, he
says. no, you
tell him. no, no
no. you must really
like this one
a lot he says.
she must be special.
you ignore the sarcasm
in his voice.
fix it, please,
you tell him.
okay, okay, he
says. i'll send
a plumber over
tonight. i'll come
with him too.
I've got to see
this girl.