Evening in Zona Rosa, Guayaquil.
A lime green pub with big headed figurines hanging out of the windows.
The Bar El Colonial.
Sweezus, Arthur and Humboldt are inside.
Neon lights flash pink and purple. An acoustic guitar show is in progress.
The crowd drinks beer, sways, sings sentimentally.
This is nice, says Humboldt. Is it modern?
Not really, says Sweezus.
Hmmm-mmm-ayay! sing the punters (in Spanish)
It's lame, says Arthur. I thought it was meant to be dangerous.
Yeah, says Sweezus. But hey. So what? We're supposed to be training.
Arthur slopes off with the Sea Salt to drum up some trade.
He won't be back for some minutes.
Arthur's a dark one, says Humboldt.
Yeah, says Sweezus.
He won't get into trouble? asks Humboldt.
He lives a charmed life, says Sweezus. Pity it doesn't stretch to winning a bike race.
Whereas I feel quietly confident, says Humboldt.
Great, says Sweezus. Reckon you can beat Froomey?
Hmmm-mmm ayay, slur the customers of Bar El Colonial.
Who? asks Humboldt.
Froomey, says Sweezus. Team Sky rider. No one can beat him. And then there's Richie Porte. Just won the Tour de Suisse. He'll be peaking.
I'll be happy to finish, says Humboldt.
Like David, says Sweezus. He's happy to finish. So's Gaius. You three'll go well. On rest days, Belle does awesome picnics.
Hmmm-mmm ayay!
Oi! Ai! Oof! A fracas at the bar appears to be happening.
Arthur comes back.
Dangerous? asks Sweezus.
No, says Arthur. I've made three thousand dollars. And got orders.
Fuck, says Sweezus. Shall we leave now?
Yep, says Arthur. There's this bar called Divina Nicotina.
Not cool, says Sweezus. Might be smoky.
Frutabar? says Arthur. It's surf-themed and they do gourmet sandwiches.
Okay, Frutabar.
They leave Bar El Colonial, and head for the Frutabar.
They are followed by someone with a knife.
This is not necessarily dangerous, (as we shall discover).
Oye! cries the knife holder.
Run! He has a knife! cries Humboldt, turning.
Arthur stops. Turns. Takes the knife.
Gracias, says Arthur.
Por tu buena suerte, says the knife guy.
Which means 'For your good fortune'.
At least, I believe so.
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