Last Orders

Vie

He says, reading, ' "Edward Plant— Edward Plant— Edward Plantagenet. The Black Prince. Son of Edward the Third. English commander in the Hundred Years War. Fought at Cressy and Pottiers Sounds like a proper soldier-boy. Looks like one too, with his helmet and his chain-mail and his coat of arms. All level in death.

' " … Married Joan, the 'Fair Maid of Kent'." There you are, Lenny, he got spliced to a Joan an' all.'

Lenny touches my arm while Vince reads. He holds out the bag for me to take. Vince lifts his eyes, noticing, as if he's the teacher and we ought to listen. Pay attention at the back.

I take the bag.

' " … Died in 1376." '

Well Jack, if it's any consolation, if it means anything to you, we had you rubbing shoulders, so to speak, with the Black Prince.