"I do what I do for... love. You do it for money."

"Well, I need money."

"And I need love."

"Yeah! I heard you invite that Marine to your hotel."

"That was for a Christmas drink."

"Don't kid me. Strangers in bars don't operate that way! You mean to tell me you ain't a pansy?"

"I don't mean to tell you anything. It's none of your damned business!" "Now don't git sore. I hadda take a chance. I got to git home to my family." "How long have you been stranded in Jacksonville?"

"A week."

"Tried hitch-hiking?"

"I hiked from Tampa here. Now I need a shave and look kinda rough." "How have you managed to live in Jacksonville?"

"Well, you know! I let summa the boys pick me up and then shook 'em down. I hadda beat one sonnabitch before he'd give me what he had on him. 69c!" "That was tough titty."

"It shure was! I a'most broke my fist on him."

"And after telling me this you expect me to invite you to my hotel? What pleasure do you, a married man, get out of this?"

"Well, I gotta git satisfaction oncet in awhile when I ain't home with my wife." "As I said, tough titty."

"You are queer, ain't you?"

"Let's say I might be homosexual."

"I heard you and that Marine talkin' and I thought it might be a chanst for me." "You asked me if I am queer. Do I act queer?"

"No you don't. But you said you might be homosexual. What in Hell's the difference between being homo and a fairy?"

"A fairy acts like a female in public.

"Well, I'll be damned! What in Hell diffrence does it make if you act like a Queen or not?"

"A matter of pride. I have too many so-called normal friends, to behave in a silly manner."

"Well, what about me? Do I get it or not?"

"You may get bucks but not bed."

"What in Hell does that mean?"

"If I am to believe this story about a wife and two children in Georgia, I will make you a proposition. I will go to the bus station with you, buy you a ticket, see you off on the next bus."

"What about money for Christmas presents?"

"You should be present enough for a loving family."

"Then you won't lend me the money?"

"No, not even if I could spare it. You don't mean lend. You mean give." "Fuck you, you dirty bastard! I got a notion to poke you!"

"I wouldn't advise it, Bud!" A tall sailor unfolded from the next booth and stood over Joe. "I've been bending an ear to your sad story. Go tell it somewhere else!" Joe got up and stomped out of the bar. Hank looked after him, grinning." "Nice going!" said the sailor. "May I buy you a beer?"

"All the little pichers around here have big ears!" chuckled Hank. “Thanks I would like a beer."

"That Marine wasn't very bright!" said the sailor, sliding into the booth. He lifted his glass: "A Merry Christmas to us!"

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