The Rake’s Progress

A Slide Show by David Beales

The Rake was overcome by loneliness and took refuge with the addicts. They seemed friendly, welcoming him into their company once he had reassured them that he was not a plainclothes policeman. They even offered him a free fix of heroin, and he accepted. He enjoyed the effect of the drug, and felt initiated. ‘I would like to buy some heroin’ he announced to his new friends and they smiled to each other as one of them asked how much would he be requiring.
 
After a while the heroin user drifts into addiction with its attendant tragedies

Sometimes the scenes are sordid. Here a naïve drug user is used as a pincushion for sport

And still the rake was obliged to return to the local drug den to score. The dealer was not pleased with the Rake for wanting such small amounts. I will give you more but you will have to pay me by Friday and have enough to buy the same again.

They were both sick. On the way back from the party the Rakes girlfriend suggested that they walk back by the river, perhaps walk over the bridge. ‘While we‘re still high’, she said. The Rake knew why.

                    The End