"Kevin how was your summer, make any money?" Ben Joe asked as he hobbled from his booth in the corner to greet his friend. Kevin Andrews had been born and raised in North Beach and his folks had left him their home and the business: the diner that Rose and Hans Homm ran and had operated for 40 years. Kevin got a good rent from the place, plus the lease fees from the big house. This income allowed him to write and to bum around all summer.

"Ben, great. This summer I climbed twelve of the "14s" in Colorado," the 14s being mountains over fourteen thousand feet tall. They shook hands and oh what a strong grip Ben had. He'd been a fisherman all of his life and now he spent his summers telling fish stories to tourists, and being paid to do what he liked, which was to talk and tell stories.

The two men walked back to the last booth, where they sat down. Then Hans came out, a big German with a shock of white hair and a long white beard, making one think of a tall Monte Wooly.

"Kevin, so glad you could break away from your travel to spend the winter here at home with us. Oh boy, it's nice and quiet with all the tourists, but we make no money. Ah, so good to see you, my friend," and he flopped down.