Moontide Page #5

Did you ever hear of a guy

named Pop Kelly?

- Pop Kelly?

- Yeah.

He was choked to death

the other night.

Yeah, I remember. So what are you gonna

tell me now? Bobo did it?

- I didn't say that.

- What are you getting at?

They don't know who done it.

But I know a guy that could've.

You do?

For a long time, this guy and me

was buddies. A long time together.

And he's a very expert

dock workman...

and up north in Portland or San Francisco

could make a lot of dough.

- You listening?

- Sure.

Well, he don't make

much dough down here.

And he ain't much

of a buddy anymore.

Besides, it wouldn't be so good

if someone picked him up for murder.

Would it?

I don't know

what you're talking about.

Maybe he did it, and maybe he didn't.

Who knows? Outside of me.

- And him.

- No.

Just me.

That's the way he drinks.

And that's why I say

you're the one to beat it...

and let my buddy and me

pull out together and go up north.

See?

- Yeah. I'll tell him.

- Yeah.

Maybe you'll have to, because maybe

he don't know about it yet hisself.

Much obliged.

Thank you, Bobo.

Shh! It's a pleasure.

Any old time.

What's the matter?

Oh, I just wasn't sleepy.

- You all right?

- Sure.

I'm all right.

Just wasn't sleepy, that's all.

Thinking about our wedding?

Is that it?

Yeah.

Yeah, that's it.

Well, the groom-

the groom is, uh, sleepy.

The bride,

she can sit up and think...

but... the groom is sleepy.

He needs some rest.

Bobo?

- Yeah?

- Who is Tiny?

Tiny?

Yeah.

What's he to you?

What do you hang around

with him for?

Why do you ask?

Has he been here?

No.

No, I'd only met him

that once the other day.

I was just curious, that's all.

Oh, yeah?

Did I ask something I oughtn't to, Bobo?

No.

No, I said I wanted

everything right, so...

I must tell you everything

about, uh, Tiny and me.

Listen, Anna.

When I was young, uh...

a kid, I was very strong.

And near where I lived,

there was another kid.

It was my cousin.

And one day the police came

and arrested my father.

He was a thief, my father,

but he was my father.

And when my cousin laughed

and said things about him...

I jumped on my cousin and I grabbed him

by the throat and... choked him...

choked him till

his face changed color.

And if some other kids

hadn't pulled me away...

I'm sure I'd

choked him to death.

I can't forget it.

Bobo, that's not so much.

You just lost your temper

when you were a kid, that's all.

We all do that.

Yeah, yeah, perhaps,

but it's only the beginning.

I told you I had strong hands.

Very often,

they brought me jobs and money...

but they also brought me trouble-

bad trouble.

Because when I get drunk,

I can't remember what I do.

- It's just your temper, Bobo.

- Wait, wait, wait.

Two years ago, Tiny and I-

- Tiny?

- Yeah.

We were working on a boat.

We went ashore.

I got drunk, and I got into a fight.

There was another man, and-

Oh.

Yeah.

But he came at me with a knife.

I got my hands-

It's all mixed up in my mind.

So Tiny got me away.

He was sober.

So now, you see, I have to know

where Tiny is all the time.

You think I help him because I am grateful,

but it isn't that.

It's- It's because he's weak.

I can't trust him.

And that's all?

And now, he wants me to go away

up north to get a job.

That's the way it is always

- get a job and give him a little money to keep his mouth shut.

He isn't greedy.

Just enough so he won't have to work.

And that's all, Bobo, huh?

Yeah, that's all.

Except that now,

I don't want to go away.

I want to be with you.

But I'll talk to him,

make him understand...

explain what all this means to me.

Yeah. Yeah, we can both

give him money if we have to.

We're partners, you know.

You don't have to worry.

I'll fix it. Tiny'll understand.

He- He isn't bad,

just-just weak.

Sure.

We'll fix it.

Old bride and groom.

They'll fix it.

Mmm.

Just watch us.

And so we have time...

for a few items of local interest.

Down San Pablo way, the Pop Kelly murder

is still the big topic of discussion.

And while the police say

they have a number of clues...

the strangler is still at large.

As if we didn't know.

- Oh, please, Charlie.

- What?

Select something.

Make a selection and stick to it.

I don't care if it's bad,

but just stick to it.

- That's all we want, isn't it, Henry?

- Oh, yes.

Ah, there's nothin'

good on now anyhow.

I think the house'll

buy you a drink.

A night like this.

This is the kind of a night...

the bartender drinks up

all the profits.

- Toast?

- A toast, he says. What about that?

A toast by all means, and by all means,

a toast to the bride and groom.

Bobo! That's right.

They're gonna be hitched tomorrow.

I forgot all about that.

Bobo is a very happy man.

- I'm goin' to the wedding, yes.

- He asked me too.

Myself, I am to be the best man.

Well, how do you like that?

Best man and everything.

- High society, huh?

- Their health, gentlemen.

Their health and their happiness.

I hope it clears up.

This time of the year,

if it isn't fog, it's rain.

And if it isn't rain, it's fog.

Sunny California.

That's a laugh.

- What's yours?

- I don't know. I want to think it over.

But he's a good guy, that Bobo.

And whether he is or not, I like him,

and that's good enough for me.

Hey, that's right.

He's a buddy of yours.

- Have a drink.

- I told you, I want to think it over.

That's all right. This is on the house.

We're drinking to your pal Bobo.

- Why?

- Um-

- Why?

- Charlie, where are those pretzels?

He don't know why.

Didn't he tell ya?

I don't know what you're talkin' about.

Perhaps you'd better

leave it to Bobo to explain.

Under the circumstances,

Bobo might want to tell Tiny himself.

Listen, funny-lookin', what,

are you tryin' to change the subject?

- Me?

- Yeah, you.

What's this about Bobo?

What's he fixin' to do?

- Why-

- Uh, did you ever hear of a pilot fish?

Yeah, I heard of a pilot fish.

Why?

You know, a pilot fish is a little fish

that attaches itself to a shark.

The shark does the work.

The pilot fish just hangs on...

and enjoys a nice living hanging on.

See what I mean?

What is it?

A guy's gonna get married.

He tells everyone he meets.

What's so secret about it?

What's it got to do with pilot fish?

Oh. Married?

Him and that hash hustler?

Yes.

And the best of luck to both of'em.

- Oh. Sure. Sure.

- And if I might make a suggestion...

why don't you start looking around

for another shark?

Maybe I won't have to.

He ain't married yet...

and he's a mighty changeable guy,

this Bobo.

I'll have that drink now.

Especially if a friend whispers

a word or two in his ear.

For his own good, I mean.

Uh-uh.

- You stay up there.

- Oh!

Now, there's no need to be so nervous, Bobo.

You know...

men have been going through the wedding

ceremony for a long, long time.

But I have a present for her

in the cabin- a wedding present.

I had it all fixed up.

Why can't I go and give it to her?

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