On the 30th of September 2014 the author purchased a North Western Gas savings box dating from the 1950/60s
The box is made of strengthened steel and is covered in red leather and carries in relief the legend HIGH SPEED GAS as well as the representation on a gas flame
The box is locked and it has no key
There is an aperture to the rear of the box where light can enter
The aperture can also be used for the submission of coins
The author will not use the box for saving up for his gas charges
He lives in a fully electric house
There is no gas facility
There has never been a gas based facility
The box reminds him of the play
Huis Clos
Written by Jean-Paul Sartre
He imagines the characters
Joseph Garcin
Ines Serrano
Estelle Rigault
Locked into a room for eternity
The author decides to adopt the character of the valet
He cuts out three paper dolls
And names them after the characters
There is no need to change their names
One by one
The three characters enter the box
Joseph goes in first
Estelle follows him
And Ines brings up the tail
Joseph was wearing a dark suit
Both Estelle and Ines were wearing dresses
Similar in design but different in colour
Their entry took place at 17.00 on the 1st of October 2014
Before they leave the author photographs them
This is the only record of their existence
They will remain in the box until the author decides to release them
The author does not have a key
He has no idea where he might find a key
This does not trouble him
The inhabitants of the box
Will be fed twice a day
At six in the morning
And six in the evening
Every twenty-eight days
A parcel will be delivered
This will be to the advantage of the inhabitants
The author is aware of this but does not care
He will not have any contact with the inhabitants
For four hundred and ninety-six days
Until the 9th of February 2016
The box is comfortable
With both sanitary and medical facilities available
There is no privacy in the box
Joseph, Estelle and Ines
Will have no secrets from each other
In time they will share each other’s dreams
There is no contact with the outside world
They are totally unaware of this internet connection
Three times a day for two hours a day
Music will be played to the inhabitants of the box
The music will not differ and will follow the same pattern
Every six days the inhabitants will be asked to watch a video
A video of flowers
This video will not differ neither will the flowers
This is their entertainment
The author who is now the valet
Is not cruel
In four hundred and ninety-six days’ time
He will update this poem
All poems should be updated
Poetry should never be static