On a shortcut through the alley, Joe encounters a raggedy man sitting on the pavement with his back against the wall, gripping a bottle about half full of amberish liquid in his right hand and a cocked revolver in his left hand, tears streaming down his face.
“Anything I can do for you, good buddy?”
“I'm scared. You muss hab a drink wid me.” He extended the bottle to Joe.
“Well, thanks for the offer, but I’ll pass.”
“Said muss hab a drink wid me.” By this time the man, who smelled strongly of urine, had stopped crying; and raised the gun so it was pointed more or less at Joe’s stomach.
Joe took the bottle and sniffed it. By this time the gun was wavering some, but was pointed more or less at his chest. He took a swig, and sprayed half of it over the man, “Oh gawd, stuff tastes more or less like horse piss to me.”
By this time the man’s tears were flowing freely again, “’S wat I thought, goo’ buddy. Now pass bottle back 'n hold duh gun on me.”
Memphis Trace