a matinee movie and a hip replacement

there's a new kiosk

at the mall

for hip replacements,

shoulders

and knees.

it's a walk up station

next to

Spencer's and Orange

Julius,

close to Annie's Pretzels.

they tell you

to bite on a leather strap

soaked

in whiskey

and then they take out the old

joint and put

a new shiny brass

ball in its place.

you're in and out in a few

hours,

once the local

anesthesia wears off.

you can take in a movie 

while you wait.