Мгла
An Argument with Norton. A Discussion Near the Beer Cooler. Verification.
Noneofyoupeopleareexactlycrazyaboutout-of-towners,amIright?Youallprettymuchsticktogether.ThewayithappenedwhenIhauledyouintocourttogetwhatwasrightfullymine.Youwonthatone,allright.Whynot?Yourfatherwasthefamousartist,andit’syourtown.Ionlypaymytaxesandspendmymoneyhere!"
Hewasnolongerperforming,hectoringuswiththetrainedcourtroomshout;hewasnearlyscreamingandonthevergeoflosingallcontrol.OllieWeeksturnedandwalkedaway,clutchinghisbeer.MyronandhisfriendJimwerestaringatNortonwithfrankamazement.
"AmIsupposedtogobackthereandlookatsomeninety-eight-centrubber-jokenoveltywhilethesetwohicksstandaroundandlaughtheirassesoff?"
"Hey,youwanttowatchwhoyou’recallingahick,"Myronsaid.
"I’mgladthattreefellonyourboathouse,ifyouwanttoknowthetruth.Glad."Nortonwasgrinningsavagelyatme."Stoveitinprettywell,didn’tit?Fantastic.Nowgetoutofmyway."
Hetriedtopushpastme.Igrabbedhimbythearmandthrewhimagainstthebeercooler.Awomancawedinsurprise.Twosix-packsofBudfellover.
"Youdigoutyourearsandlisten,Brent.Therearelivesatstakehere.Mykid’sisnottheleastofthem.Soyoulisten,orI’llswearI’llknocktheshitoutofyou."
"Goahead,"Nortonsaid,stillgrinningwithakindofinsanepalsiedbravado.Hiseyes,bloodshotandwide,bulgedfromtheirsockets."Showeveryonehowbigandbraveyouare,beatingupamanwithaheartconditionwhoisoldenoughtobeyourfather."
