THE MEXICAN
passing from face to face and noting everything.
"So that's the guy," Danny said, running an appraising eye over his proposed antagonist. "How de do, old chap."
Rivera's eyes burned venomously, but he made no sign of acknowledgment. He disliked all Gringos, but this Gringo he hated with an immediacy that was unusual even in him.
"Gawd!" Danny protested facetiously to the promoter. "You ain't expectin' me to fight a deef mute." When the laughter subsided, he made another hit. "Los Angeles must be on the dink when this is the best you can scare up. What kindergarten did you get'm from"
"He's a good little boy, Danny, take it from me," Roberts defended. "Not as easy as he looks."
"And half the house is sold already," Kelly pleaded. "You'll have to take'm on, Danny. It's the best we can do."
Danny ran another careless and unflattering glance over Rivera and sighed.
"I gotta be easy with'm, I guess. If only he don't blow up."
Roberts snorted.
"You gotta be careful," Danny's manager
262
