Small Places : Nick L Belardes [110 of 128]

• "Who knew she hid such a heart ailment?" Mike said. She had been walking and collapsed. Had she snorted drugs before her stroll?
• Mike: "You just don't know about people. A bodybuilder with a bad heart. Hate to change the subject. Did you hear? The Texan is leaving."
• Thirty-six
• Me: "What do you mean the Texan is leaving?" Mike: "We're getting a new manager. He was just interim. You know, a temporary stand-in."
• Me: "Who is the lucky replacement? Maybe the return of Milt Butterlink?" Mike: "I don't believe in ghosts."
• Me: "He's not dead." Mike: "Looked like a zombie at the funeral." Me: "Zombies are undead: not dead, not alive." Mike grimaces, shrugs.
• "Whatever," Mike says. "She was wearing a Little House On The Prairie dress. Sort of looked like a piano player from the Old West."
• "Oh no, not a calico dressed manager! Was her dress green? It must have been green. Tell me she didn't have a high neckline," I say.