She laughed. "Public transportation? Freddy, you don't know this town. There isn't any. Did you just get here, tonight?"
I looked at her, and nodded.
"On the bum?" she said quietly.
"I—suppose," I said honestly, "though the word has connotations which don't describe me." I put my hand in my jacket pocket and fumbled in the open bag for one of the smaller diamonds. I brought one out about the size of my little finger nail, and placed it on the table.
All the light in the room seemed to be suddenly imprisoned there. She stared at it, and up at me.
"Fred—for heaven's sake—that's not—real, is it?"
I nodded.
"But—it—" She glanced from the diamond to me, her mouth partially open. "Fred, what kind of monstrous gag is this? God, I thought I'd seen everything, growing up in this town. Fred—"
"I'd like to sell it," I said. "You, Jean, are my only friend in this town. Could you help me arrange for its sale?"
She was looking at me with wonder now, studying me. "Hot?" she asked.