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The death of Johnny Pinter in such a fashion caused considerable anger amongst the
men. Carl was hard pressed to convince even Willis and Ursus that he felt as badly about
it as they did. 'How should I know that thing of Bluemud's would blow a hole in him. I've never seen one of them used before to kill a man. And it was Bluemud who insisted that they carry guns.' 'It just don't seem fair, that's all,' said Willis. 'Johnny was a cocky bastard but not a bad fella. I liked him. It ain't right that he should be blown to bits like that over a woman. That Jamie! I'd like to get my hands on him.' 'But Johnny disobeyed the rules. As you've told me often enough, Willis, those who disobey the rules get punished.' 'Yes, well I don't have to like it, that's all,' said Willis angrily, 'and rules don't make no sense when it comes to men and women. Why, even them that took our taxes never told us who we could screw.' 'I don't blame the fella for what he did either,' agreed Ursus. 'What wouldn't I give for a real woman? Tits and ass and all! It's alright for you, Carl, now you can visit up there any time you want. You were always one for a pretty face, like that sister of mine.' When Carl saw that they thought he was taking advantage of his position he was embarrassed. It was ridiculous, this whole situation! Hadn't he done what he could to help them? They were obsessed with thoughts of women! 'And I suppose you're not?' said Willis. "Don't think people don't talk in this place you know. And I've almost forgotten what that's like. You can hardly tell from them bags of lard Muriel sends down. She keeps them pretty ones locked away where no-one can get a sight of them. She's afraid of what would happen.' 'She's not wrong, either,' said Ursus. 'I know some fellas who are just about ready to drag old Betty Parsons into a corner and give it to her. You can tell how screwed they he must be for that. Remember little Doris, Willis? She were with us when we left. She's up there now. When I'm up there on that ridge all alone I often think as how maybe I could just slip in round the back and find her.' 'And if you were caught,' said Carl angrily,' you'd be hanged because that's Mr. Bluemud's rules.' 'All I can say is that they're bad rules,' said Ursus. Though the men did not understand and even Carl was not sure what the purpose of these rules against the random consorting of men and women were, Carl was still willing to give Bluemud the benefit of the doubt. Bluemud might not know how to manage things to their best advantage on a daily basis but Carl was sure he had his reasons for wanting things the way they were and that these were best for Granite Gorge. Besides, O'Grady had assured him that he had long ago completed the profiles Bluemud required for each man before he could be assigned a mate and that in his coming speech for July 4th he was certain to announce a Special Day. This time there was no reason that all the men would not be included. |
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