Thelineofmarch.Lihecable.Viewedfromabove,thispicture:

    Theycamethentoamantendingbarinanopenfield.

    Yes,Thomassaid.

    Relaxationofthecable.

    Drinksforeveryone.

    Ah!saidThomas.

    Nottoobad,saidtheDeadFather.

    Yum,saidEmma.

    Ahomassaid.

    Thatwasvodka,right?thebartenderasked.

    OntherodcouldIhavethreeolives?

    Threeolives,saidthebartender.

    Havingmadethedrinkshefoldedhisarmsandleanedagainstatree.

    Didyouseethehorses?askedtheDeadFather.

    Clumpofeight,Juliesaid.Ited.

    Blackplumes,Thomassaid.Blackbridles,blacktrappings.

    Blackhorses,saidtheDeadFather.

    Standinginarank,verywelltrained,notawhicker.

    Perhapstheywerentreal?askedtheDeadFather.

    Theywerereal,saidThomas.

    Julieorderedanotherdrink.

    Youvehadenough,saidthebartender,nomore.

    Hesright,saidThomas,youvehadenough.

    IlldecidewhenIvehadenough,Juliesaid.Iwantanother.

    Hecouldlosehisliseifyoufelldownorittedane,Thomassaid.

    Thatstrue,saidthebartender,Icouldlosemylise.

    Here?askedJulie,indigtheemptiness.Whoistobeed?

    Oneneverknows,saidtheDeadFather.Thirstypilgrims,nativesofthedistriercialtravelers.

    Makeitadouble,saidJulie.

    Wedonotserveunapaniedwomen,saidthebartender.

    IamapaniedamInot?

    Doyoumeantheoheetightsortheohegoldenrobes?

    Both.

    Isawhimwithhisthumbuhere,saidthebartender,hadhisthumbonitIllbet.ShogrudeIdcallit,inapublicplace.