It’s good to have a job.  One of the pleasures of my job is that after each day’s toil, on my way home to the Pig’s Arms, I am blessed.

So it doesn’t matter what kind of day I’ve had, there is always the potential for arriving home in a joyful (and of course, blessed) state.  I am blessed not only by having a job that helps to keep the roof over our heads, but I am blessed by Maurice.

Maurice wears different clobber – especially his amazing array of hats – every day, and one can be reminded of the season or special time of year according to his costumery.  Garlands of flowers for Spring, Lifesaver cap and zinc cream for summer, the Tiger’s colours when footy season is on, Sgt Peppers gear, and many many others.  He sometimes adorns his tiny median strip with flags, plastic shrubbery and soft toys to cheer the place  – and the punters up.

I have one of his free wash frequent flyer vouchers that I keep safely on my desk at home – to remind me how lucky I am.  Along with one of his Christmas cards.

Maurice is a local landmark in Inner West Cyberia, here beautifully captured by Matt Sutton outside their mutual watering hole – The Empire Hotel – on the insanely busy corner of Johnson Street and Parramatta Rd.

Maurice does not wash my window.  I haven’t had the heart to tell him that once another far less professional window washer scratched the shit of my windscreen – I presume through having a really sandy or dirty scrubbing thingo.  But he always offers and I always decline – but I give him some money every time – and he always says thank you and blesses me.  Sometimes he does use a paint brush to remove leaves from that channel under the wipers, but I never pay him for that.

Not paying him is very important.  Window washing at intersections in Inner West Cyberia –  for money  – is against the local law.  But there is nothing to prevent people giving money to whomever they wish – which is what I do.

But the truth is that sometimes sourpusses (reputedly local retailers – and I use the term loosely – because I am not the sort of person who would call them redneck shopkeepers) have lent on the upper eschelons of the local constabulary to have them “move Maurice on”.   There is a smokescreen excuse that dancing as and where Maurice does – sharing his unbounded joi-de-vivre , is a tad dangerous and I guess one should acknowledge that as a fair observation.

Odd that most people other than the local shopkeepers trust Maurice to keep his ferret arse out of harm’s way – and for the drivers to damn well pay attention.

Just before the last Christmas, Maurice was threatened that there would be consequences if he persisted in his lavatorial busking, and the thin blue line removed his set and props from the median strip.  But not in any way being a quitter, Maurice circulated a petition to let the Commander of the Inner West Cyberian command in on the significance and value of his contribution to the cultural and lavatorial spheres of our community.

Here is the result.

……. so, Bless YOU, Maurice ………. stay safe and have a great day………

Our thanks to Matt Sutton for generously allowing us the use of his photographs.

You can see more of his excellent work here at   www.mattsuttonphotography.com.au

drop in and let Matt know that a Merv sent you.