Page 47 of Player
“‘Murphy, thanks for coming,’” Finn continues, “‘but we’re giving the American the job.’”
The crowd leans in.
“‘That’s unpatriotic, Murphy complains. This is Ireland, and my being Irish should count for something. Besides, we both got nineteen out of bleedin’ twenty questions correct. I don’t see the problem. How could one incorrect answer be better than the other?’ Murphy asks.”
There’s a pause. One second. Two. The room is so quiet you could hear a pin drop. I can’t take my eyes off of Finn and am as eager as everyone else to hear the punch line.
“The boss shakes his head. ‘We’ve made our decision based on the question you missed.’
“‘And just how would one incorrect answer be better than the other?’ Murphy asks.
“‘Simple. On question number seven, the American wrote down, I don’t know.’
“‘So?’ is Murphy’s response.
“‘You wrote down, ‘Neither do I.’”
The floors of the pub shake with laughter.
Finn turns to me and winks before sipping his beer.
The crowd hovers, eager for more.
Prime pickings.
I clear my throat. “So, Cork City seems like a nice place to live. Does everybody know everybody here? I bet it’d be difficult getting away with any sorts of crime.”
The men laugh.
Finn leans in close and whispers, “I wasn’t finished with my pint yet.”
I frown. But before our conversation can continue, we’re interrupted.
“This city is the next best thing to heaven.”
“Didn’t they catch Eugene’s own mother stealing the neighbor’s chicks?”
“True story, that.”
My eyes go wide.Oh, no.
“Shut your gob, McLeighton,” Eugene snaps.
Finn clears his throat then waits for their undivided attention. I’ve never seen a person able to command attention the way he does. “The underground scene still a bunch of patsies?” he demands.
Eugene comes up to a full stand.
My ears perk up.Underground scene?
“You participated before?” someone asks Finn.
“A few times,” is Finn’s reply.
I raise my eyebrows at him.Participated in what, exactly?
“Close yer trap, McLeighton. His larkin doesn’t know.”
Everyone looks at me as I frown at Finn.
