we need you ASAP

there's desperation

in his voice,

as the man tells me he needs

this work done

ASAP.

i'll pay you double

for whatever you make.

i'll even pay

for your parking tickets,

he says.

we need it done

by midnight

tonight.

can you get down here

right away

with your truck, your

tools and tall ladders.

i'll even buy you lunch.

i stare at the pictures

he's sent to me on my phone.

bare drywall.

columns,

back splashes,

ceilings with wires 

hanging down. ten rolls

of godforsaken

wallpaper

bought at a yard sale

in Timonium.

the area is 

a cave of an unlit store

in Georgetown.

i turn the phone off and go

back to sleep.

i think i'm done.