Chapter Sixteen
Granny’s Soup Kitchen
One man’s lighter is another man’s match
George pulled the lighter off the megaphone and the hall emptied in minutes—except for Charlie. Deloris, dazed, was sprawled out on the floor and George was flicking his lighter trying to get it to work.
Charlie, shouting, “Moustaches are flammable,” bounded across the orchestra pit and grabbed George.
George swore, worming himself loose.
Charlie dived onto George and made a grab for the lighter. The lighter fell to the floor, they both dived; Charlie almost had it, then George kicked it across the stage, inches from Deloris.
“Deloris,” yelled Charlie.
She didn’t move. Charlie ran to her and made it before George did. He lifted her, dropped her; she came to and stumbled to her feet.
Charlie threw the li
