Jennifer Mansfield Peal | Pearl (Jane, alias Pearl)

Pearl (Jane, alias Pearl)
© Jennifer Mansfield 1999

When I first came to this room, I told you my name was Pearl
I told you my name was Pearl, but it isn’t, it’s Jane.

What a strange mistake to make, I must be getting old.
I think I know better than to not do what I’m told.
I don’t know why I’m here, the officer did not say.
If this is about those tickets I swear I was going to take care of that today.
Did you say you know me? I don’t think that I know you.
When I leave this office, sir, that’s the first thing that I’m going to do …

When I first came to this room, I told you my name was Pearl
I told you my name was Pearl, but it isn’t, it’s Jane.

No, I do not own a knife. I don’t even have a kitchen.
You can ask the people where I live there are no knives missing there.
Now, maybe I’ve been inside there once or twice.
There was a bartender there who was pretty nice.
But that was long ago, how long I cannot say.
Must I see more pictures of more men I do not know?
It’s not that I live there – it’s just a place I sometimes go …

When I first came to this room, I told you my name was Pearl
I told you my name was Pearl, but it isn’t, it’s Jane.

I do not know him
I’d have no motive
You cannot hold me
So please, let me go …

Now we’ve had our chat and I can see you’re through with me.
If I find more information I’ll contact you happily.
Good luck with your problem. Good luck with your search.
I see today is Sunday – I was just going off to church.
How bizarre to lose one’s life in some ungodly tryst.
And now that we’re finished, could you please take the cuffs off my wrists?

When I first came to this room, I told you my name was Pearl
I told you my name was Pearl, but it isn’t, it’s Jane.