e with the eyes at. Frankly, Eddie, I
am worried like all get out about this."

"Sometimes I do not even understand the way you play even before the
thrush comes, Hotlips," I admit. "Like for instance yesterday when we
play 'A Spaceship Built for Two.' This is a song, as you know, that does
not have in it many high notes, but even when you play the low notes
they sound somewhat like they maybe are trying to be high notes. It is a
matter which is perplexing to one of my curious nature."

Hotlips looks sheepish for a minute and then he says, "It is a physical
disability with me, Eddie. When I am young and practicing with my
trumpet one day, I have an accident and get my tongue caught in the
mouthpiece, and it is necessary for the doctor to operate on my tongue
and cut into it like maybe it is chopped liver."

"I am sorry to hear this, Hotlips," I say.

"I do not tell anyone this before, Eddie," Hotlips confesses. "But
afterward when I play the trumpet, I play two notes at one time, which
at first is pretty embarrassing."

"This is great, Hotlips," I proclaim as a big idea hits me; "you can
play your own harmony. With talent like that, and my brain--"

But Hotlips is shaking his head. "No, Eddie," he says. "The other note
is way off in the stratosphere someplace and no one can hear it, even
when the melody note is low. And the higher the note is you can hear,
the higher the other note is you cannot hear. Besides, now I cannot even
play what I am supposed to play, what with the thrush around."

I sit there with my beer in my hand and think about it for a while,
while Hotlips looks at me like a lost sheepdog. I scratch my head but I
do not even come up with dandruff.

Finally, I say, "Well, thrush or not, if you play no better than you do
this afternoon, Frankie will make you walk back home without a
spacesuit."

"That is for positive," Hotlips agrees sadly. "So what can I do?"

I am forced to admit that I do not know just what Hotlips can do.
"However," I say, "I have an idea." And I call Mamie over and tell her
the problem. "So you are a woman and maybe you know what my musician
friend can do," I suggest.

Mamie sighs. "I am at a loss for words concerning what your friend can
do, but I know just how he feels, for it is like that with me, too. I am
in love of a handsome young musician who comes in here, but he does not
take notice of me, except to order some beer for him and his friend."

I click my teeth symp