Page 291 - The Grotesque Children's Book

Carola grinned her most hostessy grin. “What are you boys talking about so intensely?”
she asked. “It's like the end of the world has come.”

Tozzo pushed the tankards to Santi and Aurelio and said, “We were thinking about not
reporting to work tomorrow. None of us.”

“Where would that get you?” Carola asked.

“Paid! Allori's saying he won't pay us till we finish somesuch number ceiling.”

“Then you had better finish the somesuch.”

“Hey!” said Tozzo, after gulping down a few swigfuls of ale. “What'f you don't show up
either, Carola? To Allori's next portrait setting with you. Make Allori realize we're all in this
together.

“No thanks!” said Carola. “No thanks and no offense. You might have your problems,
boys, but I have my bills.”

“Aww,” said Tozzo, pulling her in, and forcing her to plop down beside him, “don't you
want to help out your Tozzo-Ozzo?”

“Sure I do, but not by risking that job. I'm grateful for it and want to keep it as long as I
can. I don't mean anything by it, boys, it has nothing to do with you.”

Santi said, “It's okay, Carola. Aurelio and I aren't going the great work protest either.”

Tozzo mouéd. “I thought we were all together!”

“Sorry, Tozzo. Turns out you were all together all by yourself.”

“Then I'm taking back the soldi I gave Carola for your drinks.”

Carola said, “You just try to get them back!” and she dropped them deep into her bosom,
where they fell for fifteen minutes before finding a resting place.

Tozzo slumped. “Some pals you are. What do you figure we can do for money?”

This entire conversation Santi then translated to Aurelio with a few dashes, squiggles and
line drawings of some coins, and Carola's breasts. Aurelio laughed.

Carol felt badly that she'd made Tozzo frown, plus she knew if her customers didn't have
money, that meant they didn't have money for drinks or tips, which meant that she would have
money, and that, of course, was the end of the world. She thought, there is something I can do
for these boys. No, not that. Well, yes, she could do that, but she had something more monetary
in mind.

“What if,” she said, “we were to pool our money and bet on Tozzo to win at Birch Bough
Blind?”

Tozzo immediately came out of his frown. “That's it!” he shouted. “I'll win us the
money, and Allori can go to hell!”

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