I would have pointed out he had the circus confused with an opera but it would only have prolonged the argument. He was in no mood to see reason. I had a case I wanted to get back to. “Okay. Tell it.” “There's a lady, right here in the show, she's in danger and needs help.” “I've already got that much memorized,” I told him. “Move it down the track.” The midget frowned. “I'm just introducin' you to the characters.” “Good. I need more characters in my life.” Alfonso hopped down from his perch and squared off on me, all three feet and a few inches, looking half-mad and half like he couldn't decide what I was. “You're so tough I gotta take that from you?” “Keep your shirt on, Alfonso, and tell it.” “The lady,” he said, forcing the words out through clenched teeth, “I'm concerned about,

