PICKINGS

Poetry from NHI publications

GRETA GARBO ON THE BLACKPOOL BUS
Elsie Williamson met Greta Garbo on a Blackpool bus going to visit a friend in Poulton-le-Fylde. "Ee luv, you do look like her; I've seen all her films, you know; I think I must be one of her biggest fans!" "Have I many fans in Blackpool?", biting her lips at the utterance of "I" "0 hundreds, luv, and I reckon on there must be at least a million in the whole of Lancashire — will you come to tea with me tomorrow?" She scribbled her address on the back of a brown envelope that had had her gas-bill in; "Must dash — this is my stop — see you tomorrow". George told her she was daft but enjoyed the ham and ate the cake. Two weeks later a letter arrived with two complimentary tickets for the film premiere in London. Elsie wondered where she could find the money for the train-fare
GERALD ENGLAND