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Show page 6 a present t o Nick and me. And the picture of the President, too." The brunette grabbed her companion's leg. "Honey, you remember those cheap tramps, don'tcher? They got that gumdrop machine from a carnie. Nick t r e a t s everybody royal and those tramps send him a gumdrop machine they took in trade! Honey, I'm t e l l i n g you!" Johnny Mack l i t a c i g a r e t t e from the g i r l s ' pack on the counter. He looked at some glazed pink candy in f l a t pans on a low shelf near the plateglass window. The candy was uncovered and f l i e s were on i t. "Maybe some covering for the candy," he suggested. "That's what we'll get Nick, a candy machine," the brunette said. "Something to make the candy in." "Nick makes i t in the stove," Johnny Mack said. He was t e l l i n g them how when the Ruflins drove up in a dusty Ford and came in. "What you have?" Johnny Mack asked. Fred Ruflin was at his meanest. "You be respectful, Slim,'1 he said, and pulled at the hem of P a t ' s dress. Luke Ruflin goosed the blonde and held her on the stool. "Give us what they had," Fred said. "Where is that greasy Greek?" The g i r l s sat as s t i l l as they could. Johnny Mack placed two Royal Crowns on the counter. Fred looked s t r a i g h t into him. "Get out of my face, you got an unhealthy look." He turned to Irene. "Me and Luke coming up to see you-all tonight." Johnny Mack moved back to the coffee urn. He d i d n ' t even |