Grim murmurs began to pop up round Great Town, and
dim gurgles trounced young Balkey’s belly, made him
uneasy. He tried to drink away the morning problems
at Coral’s, but a little past noon them brittle knights came
to the club and Balkey bounced after a belch, loud enough
so the no-towners could hear and see him, and understand
he was leaving; he was giving the grace today. But they
only sneered and so Balkey sneered back and the whole
bar was on edge till the threat of violence lifted, and boy,
you could drop some noisy needles the way quiet took
that place.
Balkey eased his time struttin’ toward the exit, giving nods
to the friends. No blood today, but how long would that last?