The line of march. Line of the cable. Viewed from above, this picture:
They came then to a man tending bar in an open field.
Yes, Thomas said.
Relaxation of the cable.
Drinks for everyone.
Ah! said Thomas.
Not too bad, said the Dead Father.
Yum, said Emma.
Ahomas said.
That was vodka, right? the bartender asked.
On the rocks and could I have three olives?
Three olives, said the bartender.
Having made the drinks he folded his arms and leaned against a tree.
Did you see the horses? asked the Dead Father.
Clump of eight, Julie said. I ted.
Black plumes, Thomas said. Black bridles, black trappings.
Black horses, said the Dead Father.
Standing in a rank, very well trained, not a whicker.
Perhaps they werent real? asked the Dead Father.
They were real, said Thomas.
Julie ordered another drink.
Youve had enough, said the bartender, no more.
Hes right, said Thomas, youve had enough.
Ill decide when Ive had enough, Julie said. I want another.
He could lose his lise if you fell down or itted an e, Thomas said.
Thats true, said the bartender, I could lose my lise.
Here? asked Julie, indig the emptiness. Who is to be ed?
One never knows, said the Dead Father. Thirsty pilgrims, natives of the district, ercial travelers.
Make it a double, said Julie.
We do not serve unapanied women, said the bartender.
I am apanied am I not?
Do you mean the one in the e tights or the one in the golden robes?
Both.
I saw him with his thumb uhere, said the bartender, had his thumb on it Ill bet. Shog rude Id call it, in a public place.
Shog, said the Dead Father happily. Never in all my years --
Youre a family man, now, the bartender said to the Dead Father. Thats perfectly plain.
Very much so.
Youve children, said the bartender, responsibilities.
Beyond ting.
Thought so, said the bartender, I talk to you. We uand each other.
Yes, fire away.
arley, said the bartender, make po.
Thomas was looking at the yellow sky.
Till the cows e home, said the Dead Father, so much are we on each others wavelengths.
When hes got his thumb in there, asked the bartender, what do you feel?
Left out, said the Dead Father.
Button button whos got the button? ted Julie. Ive got the button.
I see it? asked the bartender.
I have another drink?
A double Scotch appeared on the bar.
Julie knocked back the Scotch. Then she removed her shirt. There was nothing uhe shirt.
Thats not what I meant, said the bartender, but God Almighty.
A crowd had gathered, both men and women. They were laughing.
Thomas smoothed Julies stomach with his hand.
Dont touch! she said, youll make the others angry.
The crowd stopped laughing, both men and women, moved nearer, was looking at Thomas with angry looks.
Who do you think you are? a man shouted angrily.
I am this ladys lover, Thomas shouted back.
Leave our stomach alohe man shouted.
Your stomach? Thomas asked pointedly.
They crowded closer.
Hands were stretched out toward the stomach.
Mostly we dohis kind of group, the bartender said.
Thomas began to write something with lipsti the stomach. The white, iingly folded, stomach.
Oh, you rascal! cried the crowd. Oh, yue!
Julie rotated