The winter of Frankie Machine

41

“The EZ Rest Motel,” Jimmy says, punching off the phone. “Lock and load, rock and roll.”

Carlo starts the car.

Lock and load, rock and roll.

He loves Jimmy, but he’s kind of an asshole.

“The EZ Rest Motel where?” Carlo asks.

“Brawley, California.”

They look at the road atlas. Brawley is only about an hour away.

“‘Ladies and gentlemen,’” Jimmy intones in his best Michael Buffer imitation, “‘for the thousands in attendance and the millions watching around the world…let’s get ready to rumble!’ The Brawl in Brawley!”

The Brawl in Brawley. Carlo chuckles.

Asshole.