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untangle them but he was finally able to spread his fingers so the lady could count them. "'Bout . . . 'bout four hours," he slurred. |
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"Four hours." Cappy giggled. "You're a real newcomer, huh? First time out of the States?" |
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Harvey had to think about that one for a moment before he responded. "Naw," he belched, "I . . . I been up at Thule the last . . . last twelve months. I . . . I'm on . . . on my way back to the States." |
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"No girls to spend your money on up there, I hear," she said, winking. |
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"Girl behind every tree," he said giggling, "but you . . . you know what the problem with . . . with that is?" |
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Cappy Salem had heard the tired joke countless times but she played the game anyway. She shook her head, another practiced gesture that made her long brown-black hair shimmer around her almond-shaped face. |
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"No . . . no . . . ," Harvey Klinger was breaking up, " . . . there's no damn trees." |
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Cappy howled. Harvey joined her, repeatedly slapping his flabby palm against his even flabbier thigh. |
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"So . . . so tell me, what's . . . what's yer name?" |
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Cappy, listening carefully to the man, noted with some concern that her mark suddenly sounded just a little less intoxicated than she |
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