I aint got no money but I need a drink. I'll fetch out the slops or mop the floor or whatever.
The barman looked across the room to where two men were playing dominoes at a table. Abuelito, he said.
The older of the two raised his head.
Que dice el muchacho.
The old man looked at the kid and turned back to his dominoes.
The barman shrugged his shoulders.
The kid turned to the old man. You speak american? he said.
The old man looked up from his play. He regarded the kid without expression.
Tell him I'll work for a drink. I aint got no money.
The old man thrust his chin and made a clucking noise with his tongue.
The kid looked at the barman.
The old man made a fist with the thumb pointing up and the little finger down and tilted his head back and tipped a phantom drink down his throat. Quiere hecharse una copa, he said. Pero no puede pagar.
The men at the bar watched.
The barman looked at the kid.
Quiere trabajo, said the old man. Quien sabe. He turned back to his pieces and made his play without further consultation.
Quieres trabajar, said one of the men at the bar.
They began to laugh.
What are you laughing at? said the boy.
They stopped. Some looked at him, some pursed their mouths or shrugged. The boy turned to the bartender. You got something I could do for a couple of drinks I know damn good and well.
One of the men at the bar said something in Spanish. The boy glared at them. They winked one to the other, they took up their glasses.
He turned to the barman again. His eyes were dark and narrow. Sweep the floor, he said.
The barman blinked.
The kid stepped back and made sweeping motions, a pantomime that bent the drinkers in silent mirth. Sweep, he said, pointing at the floor.