Typography & design by
Richard Wolfströme

Exhibition and installation
by Standard 8

Website
Words William Shaw
Design Richard Wolfströme
Photography Kenny Laurenson

Publishing consultant Adrian Driscoll

An Unmadeup Production

Rejoining real life was bewildering

A bench on Duke Street

There are too many choices on the board. "What do you want?" demands the lady.

He’s not good under pressure. There are people behind him in the queue. Lee blurts, "Two tuna and bacon sandwiches please."

Outside, Sarah is dubious. Tuna and bacon? But they take a bite and agree, surprisingly, they like it.

It’s Lee’s lunch break. His friend Sarah had phoned yesterday to ask if he wanted to meet. They look out for each other, Lee and Sarah.

She asks, "Any news on the scooter?"

"They’re waiting for the paperwork from the DVLA."

She’s almost as excited as Lee is about it. Lee is importing a reconditioned Lambretta GT 200; it’ll be the first time he’s had a scooter since things went pear-shaped. For 15 years he’s been dreaming of buying another.

They sit on a bench in Duke Street, smoking roll-ups, before Lee goes back to work. She’s really proud of Lee, getting a job after so long. It’s inspired her to think about going back to full-time too.

Lee and Sarah first met in a hostel for the mentally ill. It’s good to have a friend who understands what you’ve been through.

For those fifteen years, Lee couldn’t work because of his illness. Somehow, he lost himself. Six months ago he finally applied a post room job, never believing he could get it.

It was bewildering rejoining real life. At the start there were so many new things to learn, he didn’t think he’d cope, wondering if any minute his co-workers would see through him. He’s still wary of casual conversations in case his past betrays him. He doesn’t want concern, or sympathy.

That’s why it’s good with Sarah. With her he can relax.

He checks the time. Ten to one. Lee loves the fact he has to go back. Employment is still so novel to him. Life without work strips you of so much. OK, financially he’s worse off in work than he was before, but the confidence he’d forgotten is slowly returning.

Maybe he’ll even join a scooter club again soon.