Chapter 19
A WOMAN’S HAT
The Creature known as Brighty — and sometimes Brighty Highlights (because, as we’ve already mentioned, she had natural highlights in her hair, which at the time drew Dan to her the way the fragrance of wild honey attracts a bear) — was resting in bed with her back against a pillow, running a wet finger around the rim of a wineglass. To his Welschriesling, Dan added his cigar. He set his glass down on the night table, bit off the end of the cigar, and lit up.
Where’d you come across that stinker?
You ask a lot of questions, Brighty. Some two months ago, at an antique shop in Jiráskův. I helped a fellow load some junk onto the roof of a little Tatra, and he gave me this cigar as thanks. I’ve kept it for two months, and today, its hour has come.
I said stinker, b
