Чужак в чужой стране

           ‘Uh,yes,thankyou."

           Hepouredtwolargecocktailglassestotheirbrims,handedherone."Whatisit?"sheasked.

           "Myownrecipe,acometcocktail.Onethirdvodka,onethirdmuriaticacid,onethirdbatterywater–twopinchesofsaltandaddapickledbeetle."

           "Betterhaveahighball,"Dorcasadvised.Jillnoticedthattheothergirlhadatallglassatherelbow.

           "Mindyourownbusiness,"Harshawadvisedwithoutrancor."Thehydrochloricacidisgoodforthedigestion;thebeetleaddsvitaminsandprotein."HeraisedhisglasstoJillandsaidsolemnly,"Here’stoournobleselves!Therearedamnedfewofusleft."Healmostemptiedhisglass,replenisheditbeforehesetitdown.

           Jilltookacautioussip,thenamuchbiggerone.Whateverthetrueingredients,thedrinkseemedtobeexactlywhatsheneeded;awarmfeelingofwell-beingspreadgentlyfromhercenterofgravitytowardherextremities.Shedrankabouthalfofit,letHarshawaddadividend."Lookinonourpatient?"heasked.

           "No,sir.Ididn’tknowwherehewas."

           "Icheckedhimafewminutesago.Sleepinglikeababy–IthinkI’llrenamehimLazarus.Doyouthinkhewouldliketocomedowntodinner?"

           Jilllookedthoughtful."Doctor,Ireallydon’tknow."

           "Well,ifhewakesI’llknowit.Thenhecanjoinus,orhaveatray,ashewishes.ThisisFreedomHall,mydear.Everyonedoesabsolutelyashepleases?thenifhedoessomethingIdon’tlike,Ijustkickhimthehellout.Whichremindsme:Idon’tliketobecalled‘Doctor.