All day at work you're feeling nervous, because today is the day. As soon as you clock off you're heading down to see Roman, your incredibly talented Russian tattooist to put the finishing touches to the masterpiece taking shape on your back. It's a huge Chinese dragon coiled and intricate, covering the best part of your back. You'd spent a couple of hours with Roman discussing the design before deciding to go ahead, and this is the last of six sessions to get the work done. The outline is already done, plus half of the fill. It's going to be a long and painful session finishing it off, and Roman has kindly agreed to stay open late tonight at the shop to get it done.
It's dark by the time you get there. Roman's Harley is parked out front as usual, and another one right beside it. Probably one of his Russian friends. The closed sign is already up on the door, but you know that you're allowed in, so you push your way into the shop, rolled up dragon design clenched in your fist. The bell tinkles as you enter.
The place seems empty and you call out "Roman. You there?" No answer, but you hear some movement in the back room. You're wearing a loose-fitting tracksuit so you can get comfortable during the long session. Well as comfortable as possible while you're under the needles. Like Roman says, you haven't felt pain until you've been tattooed. But it's strangely exhilarating, and completely mentally cleansing. Better than therapy, you tell yourself and laugh.
You hear Roman coming through into the front of the shop. "Ok let's get this bitch finished, Rom... oh" Except it isn't Roman. It's someone else you've never seen before. This guy is huge, a real beast. He's wearing a blue bandana, jeans and a white T-shirt and his muscles are bulging through his clothing. Tattoos completely cover his arms and neck. Long hair flowing down his back. "Where's Roman?" you ask.
"Roman sends apology, he have urgent business to attend," says the immense man, talking in a thick Russian accent. "Maybe few days, maybe week."
"But he's supposed to be finishing off my dragon!" you howl, distraught. Fuck! He can't abandon me now!
"Let me see," says the Russian, holding out his hand. You unroll the dragon design and show it to him. "Nice work," he says. "I can finish for you."
"You?" you ask incredulous, eyeing his monstrous form in disbelief. "Roman's my guy," you say. "He's a real artist."
The Russian chuckles. "I taught Roman everything he knows," he says. "One day he will be an artist." He rolls the dragon back up and hands it back to you. "I sold business to Roman after I taught him the ink. Look here," he said pointing to a photo on the wall of himself working alongside Roman on a huge and beautiful back tat. "We won award for this one. You want, I finish off your tattoo," he says.
You hesitate. Most of the work is already done, and if he's really that good it won't harm. And then it's finished. I can go on holiday in two weeks and start showing it off on the beach, you tell yourself. And by then the decision is made.
"Ok," you say. "Ok" again, as if to assure yourself. "So what's your name?"
"Ivan," says the Russian man-beast.
"Ok Ivan, you better make this fucking perfect. Where do you want me?" Ivan signals to the tattooists table. "I set up, " he says. You watch him as he sets up the table, creating a sloping surface for you to lean forward onto and a seat at just the right height to position your back towards him. "Ok," he says, signalling. You turn your back to him as you remove your tracksuit top and bra. You can sense his gaze on you. Suddenly you are vulnerable, undressed in front of this stranger, this hulk. You sit down on the seat and lean forward, the cool surface of the padded table giving you goosebumps, making your nipples harden. Its set up just like Roman does it, and you start to feel more relaxed.
Ivan looks at the ink work. "Roman getting better," he says,"but still room to improve." He moves to the sink to wash his hands and then he sets up the tattoo machinery. He sprays your back with antiseptic and wipes your skin with a towel. You wince a little at the tender soreness in your skin.
Ivan pulls a stool up behind you and sits down, maneuvering himself up close to you, huge legs opening so that you're positioned between his knees, feeling like a tiny doll compared to this brute. He breathes heavily over you and you smell the vodka on hs breath. It makes the hairs rise across your back. His body envelopes you as he inches closer.