That arm, Warren Spawn--callused
hands slip beneath his belt, spitball fingers sliding into Wranglers. His
suitcase packed with all the drugs stored in the dispensary. He is
drinking beer and the night bell rings with a jerk. Standing under the
overhead lamp, encircled Munch, Dudley doesn't look the lifeguard in the
eye. His head is bowed, but Chester is too drunk to be suspicious. Dudley
places Marilyn on the Dutch door, swimming through a blood-red sea. The
bloated baseball failure bends for a better look and Dudley soon wipes
snot and spittle from Marilyn's perfect image with a Kleenex from Hazel's
desk.Socco heaves, shoving the body against the wall. His misery
dissipates in revenge. He pokes Godfrey's jowls as if they held needles.
Fast Eddy and Roger stand in the doorway, stoic wild men, leering down.
You do that, Mister, Roger inquires with judicious bravery. Hey, I knocked
the cat out cold, Socco lies, but none cast doubt. It is agreed the
lifeguard needs to take a swim. Socco's voice is so filled with authority
that Oreste arrives without sunglasses. He wouldn't be here if he hadn't
come he tells Elephant Gerald's tape recorder. Sleep has sculpted his hair
into a cowlick tube. He stares off to the side of Socco's canine
world.