‘You mean this? Or what you said before?’ Jonathan said, checking now for exposed flanks, for tricks and traps, like the untamed creature he was on what was yet another piece of ground new to him: a small flurry, but a flurry apparently won, and won –apparently – out in front for all to see. This also was new. Radically new.

‘I mean this,’ College said. ‘Of course I mean it. It’s just—’

‘Sure?’

‘Of course I’m sure. It’s just – Just answer me from time to time. Silence scares the shit out of me. I can’t – Why don’t you talk?’

Across the bar, one man grabbed another by the beard. Glasses smashed on the floor. Beer flew. Dogs scrambled to get out of the way. The bearded man had a high, penetrating voice and a fine line in swear words. ‘Fungus prick! Draw-balled cream pisser!’ he screamed.

‘Teeth,’ Jonathan said.

‘Goose-turd! Slug-fucker! Bottle-assed—’

‘What?’ College shouted. ‘What did you say?’

‘Piddle prong!’ And the beard was free.

‘Teeth,’ Jonathan repeated. The anger left him; an abrupt exhaustion replaced it, and he took hold of the bar, body trembling.

‘Teeth? Is that all? Who cares about teeth? Well, I guess the answer to that question is that I care. And plainly you care. Wouldn’t you like to speak? Of course you would. Those teeth of yours really are God-awful. Frank says you made them: remarkable to make a set of teeth, incredible, an amazing feat. I never knew anybody who – But you can’t speak because of them? What about without them?’

Jonathan gestured that without them he couldn’t speak at all.

‘Why not go to a dentist? Denver’s loaded with them. You can’t work on the railroads like this. Really you can’t.’

Jonathan pulled his pockets inside out: no money.

College sighed. ‘Yeah, and you’re going to need thirty-five bucks at least. Have another drink. It’s on me. Of course it is. My grandmother has a pair of false teeth, made out of porcelain and gold. They glint when the sun catches them.’ He sighed again. ‘Buy a piggy bank this month instead. Where are you from anyhow?’

A movement of the hand: east and far away.

College frowned. ‘This the first time you’ve been away from home?’

College slammed his glass down on the bar. ‘Goddamn it, Johnny, you may be able to put up with silence but I can’t. This I mean, and mean for sure. Silence scares the – I’ve already said that, haven’t I? Never could stand it. So was it when I was a boy, so is it now – I hate it, dread it. I have nightmares about it: it swallows me up. Or I think it will. What’s it threatening me for if its intentions are honorable?’ He rifled in his pockets and thrust a wad of notes at Jonathan. ‘Take it. Fifty dollars. That’ll get you a decent set of teeth.’ Jonathan shook his head, the unreality of the situation so great that he could barely keep College in focus much less understand what he was saying. ‘Now, look here, kid, how can I tell if you’ve heard me when my back is turned? You might get killed. Take this money or I really will tell Frank I can’t work with you anymore.’