Topless by Mano D. Keith

Author:Mano, D. Keith [Mano, D. Keith]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Mystery, Literary
ISBN: 9780449221655
Google: HqduhXfSecgC
Goodreads: 1538997
Publisher: Fawcett
Published: 1991-01-01T05:00:00+00:00

Just looked in Berry’s duffle for a pad of matches. I found a G-string that says BOSS LADY on it.

SUNDAY, JULY 40TH

3 a.m.

Slow Sunday night: terrible rain since church. Girls danced with hard nipples. No one could seem to get drunk. Lalique hung down from the trapeze like a three-toed sloth and refused to dance. There’s a roof leak just beside the lunch table—we had a pail under it all evening. Connie said, “Feels like a trapper’s cabin in here.”

She and I, Freddy and Jako spent the night putting up decorations for Pearl’s party. I’d already made one tactical error—I asked Pearl’s mother to cater for us. Which made her happy. Which made Pearl furious. “We’re not having that ass-wipe ravioli at my party,” she said. So I had to hire the Greek to cater hors d’oeuvres, and pay old Mrs. M. something extra for her services, anyhow. Leonard will prepare three turkeys. And matzo ball soup. I’m assured he’s a cordon bleu chef. Tony, why did you leave me with all these people—these unraveled strings of relationships? This entire sordid world.

Connie and I have made up. Pearl caught Friend stealing—so I gave Connie two bar nights a week. (A bartender makes about one fifth what a dancer makes.) This pissed Leonard off. Leonard senses that Connie is really just passing through. Connie doesn’t need The Car: therefore, she may be less obedient. Also, her allegiance is to me, not Leonard. I’m just afraid we’ll find out that Connie’s been cheating, too.

She said, “Have you looked at yourself in the mirror?”

“No,” I said, handing her a string of colored lights. “I’m surrounded with mirrors. Of course I look at myself.”

“You haven’t really. You did, you’d see you’ve lost at least ten pounds since I first met you. Gaunter and handsomer.”

“Could use t’lose weight.” Connie came down the ladder and embraced me.

“Get out of here, Mike,” she said. “Run. Ethel can take care of herself. Run. You won’t survive this if you stay.”

“And you?”

“I’m tougher than you are,” Connie said. “And even I’m in trouble.”

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