Florida

           Mrs.Hallorann’sthirdson,Dick,dressedinhiscook’swhites,aLuckyStrikeparkedinthecornerofhismouth,backedhisreclaimedCadillaclimooutofitsspacebehindtheOne-AWholesaleVegetableMartanddroveslowlyaroundthebuilding.Masterton,partownernowbutstillwalkingwiththepatentedshufflehehadadoptedbackbeforeWorldWarII,waspushingabinoflettucesintothehigh,darkbuilding.

           Hallorannpushedthebuttonthatloweredthepassengersidewindowandhollered:"Thoseavocadoesistoodamnhigh,youcheapskate!"

           Mastertonlookedbackoverhisshoulder,grinnedwidelyenoughtoexposeallthreegoldteeth,andyelledback,"AndIknowexactlywhereyoucanputem,mygoodbuddy."

           "RemarkslikethatIkeeptrackof,bro."

           Mastertongavehimthefinger.Hallorannreturnedthecompliment.

           "Getyourcukes,didyou?"Mastertonasked.

           "Idid."

           "Youcomebackearlytomorrow,Igonnagiveyousomeofthenicestnewpotatoesyoueverseen."

           "Isendtheboy,"Hallorannsaid."Youcominuptonight?"

           "Yousupplyinthejuice,bro?"

           "That’sabigten-four."

           "Ibethere.Youkeepthatthingoffthetopendgoinhome,youhearme?EverycopbetweenhereanSt.Peteknowsyourname."

           "Youknowallaboutit,huh?"Hallorannasked,grinning.