Beyond the hope of Buddha and the Mind. The east breeze
Fondles the horses ears: how sweet the smell of plum."
"What!?"
"Mitsuhiro, 17th century," the bartender said. For an instant his eyes came at Joe like horses jumping the gate.
"Who are you?" Joe asked.
"Pretty Boy Floyd," said Shorty. "Best athlete ever come out of this town." There was a blaze of sound from the poker machine followed by a crash of quarters. Shorty turned his head. "I'll take some of that, Earl."
"Can't win if you don't play," Earl said.
"Used to pitch for the Pirates," Shorty said. The bartender's expression didn't change. Joe noticed that he stood balanced on both feet.
"Why aren't you teaching in a university somewhere?" Joe asked him.
"You know Bob Dylan's line about the difference between hospitals and universities?"