Aw crap. I said the wrong thing. Luke looks upset. Johnny looks hurt. Luke's the first to speak,Nope,We ain't. An' the way he says it, all cold an' hard n' fulla mistrust. it lets me know I screwed up an' shoulda just kept my mouth shut. This is why we don't talk 'bout Management with outsiders, not even in the little ways I was tryin' to. I hope I haven't juts made life here worse for those still with the Carnival.

When I make my offer, Luke just downs the rest of his beer and stands up. You two stay. Thanks anyway, but I got work to do. See you round, Johnny. Good to meet you too Ri.

John makes like he's gettin' up[ to go after him and then slumps back. I lift a hand in a wave and say, "Good to meetcha too, Luke."

Johnny looks real down an' I'm not feelin' too good either. He mumbles something that sounds like, Sure, 'Ri I get up an' stand by his chair a moment.

"John...I wanted to tell you. But I-I found out I couldn't...not really. Sorry." I turn away to go to the bar and get us some beer.