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Nina dropped out and let Abby take four choruses When she ca "Spann’s Stomp" I wasn’t all that surprised that the other musicians were able to follow her so well Unlike most rockers, jazz musicians kno to listen to each other Still, hoas she going to get out of this? I wondered Ninato Abby, who relayed her e to the bass and drummer After three more choruses, Abby dropped out with a flourish, followed by the dru to each other, one taking the lead, then the other, and when Nina nodded, the bass dropped out and she retreated to the Goldberg, ending it with her right hand playing Bach and her left hand pounding out a blues rhythm

A moment of silence was followed by loud applause Nina waved at the audience, curtsied elaborately, and waved so only to shake hands and to hug Abby DeNucci returned to the stage, took up the microphone, and pointed at her

"Miss Nina Truhler," he said, and the audience applauded louder

"We’ll be right back," DeNucci added

Nina shook soe of the floor There was a lued inspeech impossible It wasn’t a hard lu nized it for what it was Pride I was proud of Nina Truhler

I continued to watch her She gave rinned in return After a few moments, she detached herself fro the perimeter of the sunken floor to where I stood However, before she could reach me, she was stopped by still another fan

John Allen Barrett offered his hand and Nina shook it casually Barrett said so in reply and Barrett laughed A moment of panic seizeda murderer but it couldn’t possibly be true, so why should I worry that he was chatting withnone of the trepidation I felt had touched my face

"Mac," said Nina, as she slid a hand behind my neck "Allow me to introduce Governor Barrett Governor, this is Rushmore McKenzie"

"I’ve heard that name," Barrett said "You’re an old friend of Lindsey’s"

"I am"

"There’s a story she told me about your name" He turned toward Nina as if for confirmation "He was conceived at a motel in the shadow of the Rushh the Badlands"

She said, "But it could have been worse"

"It could have been Deadwood," they both said in unison

"I definitely need new material," I told them

"It’s a pleasure to finally meet you, Rushmore"

"Thank you"

"Just call him McKenzie," Nina said "He doesn’t like Rush a wonderful tiood to meet you," Barrett said "Lindsey said you were one of her hborhood" He took azed directly into h John Allen Barrett had attended this ridiculous, self-indulgent ball for the sole purpose ofof jealousy when he released my hand and directed his attention to Nina