Hey, Joe! (wharya goin with that gun in yer hand)

Whats up Franklin  Joe yelled as he was walking to the back of the liquorstore he turned around and began up the aisle

Joe! You won’t believe this.

Not usually he said not if I cant confirm it

You trust my math on our cash drawers so we can get the hell out of here, yeah?

I do I do not a job Id enjoy

Can I be sufficient confirmation?

Franklin  in your case Ill make an exception

Excellent.

Thanks for not saying perfect

You and your perfection: it doesn’t exist, not if mankind has his fingers in it.

Joe replied Not with his fingers in the pieNo  he stood across the counter from Franklin 

Franklin was damn near leering at himhis smile ridiculously large

So  Why did I walk all the way back up here

It’s worth it.

Suspensehuh  The suspense is killing me

It’s worth it.

You said that

I did. I just had to share with you, particularly because it’s you. I don’t think this would have happen for anyone else in this store’s employment or a fuckin soul I know . . . truly.

Should I blush

Nah. That’d be out of character.

Usually Im patient but you had me walk the entire length of the store because you herald me

Herald. I like that.

Like it some other time wouldja

Franklins smile grew impossibly larger it looked like it hurt

I closed out your tender.

As you do every night we work together

Yeah. But tonight’s special it’s a special night, a special night too since that black girl was all about you. I think she wanted to eat you alive.

Idve been all about being eatin alive Her husband however certainly didnt appreciate her unchecked enthusiasm although she was a little lit an people flee their shellscome out when their inhibition is tampered withunlocked Or so it seems 

Yeah. However you’re no different loaded or not. You don’t keep a muzzle; which elicits those of us who do to want to drop ours. But it aint natural to us.

Franklin youre young youve got time

Nah. Ain’t in the cards. She was a looker though.

She was

How old was she? You carded her.

I did  Crazy

How old was she?

Whawould you have guessed

Shit. Now I’ll guess older than I would have thought. 

Maybe if I dial it down.

Dialed down, I’d guess . . . thirtythree.

Fortysix

You shitting me, fortysix?

Fortysix

Wow. You know what they say.

I never know what they say or who the fuck they is

Franklin laughed hard You never break character.

Breaking character would be acting I havent time to act for anyone

No. That would also be out of character. What they saywhoever said it first beats the hell out of me . . . Black don’t crack.

Ive never heard that before

Never?!

No  though I understand its suggestion 

And you told her to be sure she thanked her parents; good genetics.

She has nothing to do with her looks except keep her health if she can They were both in great shape Id say athletes an athletes never give it up Not true athletes

Like yourself.

Thank you Been at it too long to let it go

I ought to get back to it.

Dont ought to  do it

Youre a fucking Nike commercial in the flesh

Cant say I know what a Nike commercial looks like If it aint in print likely I havent seen it

Fucking Neanderthal.

Neandertal T-a-l Not t-h-a-l  You ought to know since youve been on their dig sites

Thank you for the correction.

Youre welcome  So why am I standing here

Yeah.

Yeah

Your drawer. I closed you out, your cash, at fourtwenty sixtynine. Appropriate, huh?

it was Joes turn to laugh unabashed

                                       Man thats cool Well thank youthanks for sharing Makes my spine a bit more erect

Not that you need confirmation.

No I dont need confirmation Youre scary Franklin

No. You’re the scary one.

2134,  Saturday,  15  9. 18

1344,  Sunday,  16  9. 18