'Ri gives me a look that makes up fer her bein' short like that, like she dint think anyone'd get the trouble they're in. "Yeah," she says, "They are." Luke's gone white and his eyes have gone a bit wide 'n he smells yellow 'n red like he's pissed and scared. 'Ri turns t'him. "You can't just do that. Not to Management.... I--They ain't---Look, I can't really talk 'bout Management, not really. you guys ain't carnies an' never were."

I try not t'take that hard, 'cause Lord knows I got secrets I dunt want t'share. I'm kind 'a surprised that I'm hurt by it though - I dunt really know 'Ri well 'nough t'care what she thinks 'a me, right? "Nope," Luke says, and he sounds kind 'a cold 'n mad still. "We ain't." And then 'Ri seems kind 'a sorry, and I really dunt understand girls at all. If she's mad 'bout somethin' why dunt she say so, instead 'a gettin' mad and then feelin' sorry? "Uum...," she says lookin' at her glass, "lemme buy the next round? when you guys're ready?"

I look t'Luke, but he's shakin' his head and finishin' his beer. "You two stay. Thanks anyway, but I got work to do. See you round, Johnny. Good to meet you too Ri." He nods as he leaves. "I - " I look at 'Ri, then him - "see you 'round, Luke." He's pretty much gone. Damn. I still got food comin' so I slump back in my chair. "Sure, 'Ri," I say, feelin' kind 'a down now that Luke's gone off like that.