“You’re a genuine daredevil, mate.” A trace of amazement coloured his voice. “No, doc, I just like my bikes.” The cool, indifferent one-liner that Steve McQueen would have been proud of rolled off Beanie-man’s lips. The doctor stood up, tapped him on the shoulder he was going to operate on, and walked away. Before he was out of the waiting room, Beanieman yelled after him. “I’ve got this too, doc.” He pulled out his front two teeth and made a wide grin. In the place of teeth there were two round metal pins coming out of his gums. The doctor moved his head to Beanie-man’s face and took a better look. “A dental crown.” The doctor nodded. “It’s got to come out while you’re under, we don’t want you choking on it.” He made further notes on his clipboard. “It’s my first and favourite injury. I got it fighting for my woman,” Beanie-man offered proudly. “Is she still with you?” the doctor asked, unable to contain his curiosity. “Nah.” Beanie-man waved his hand. “But it was great while it lasted.” The doctor smiled, said he would see him in a short while, and left. Beanie-man turned to Ramo and winked at him. “She was something, mate. Yes, she was. You know what I’m saying,” and winked at him again. This time he cocked his head to the side while he was winking and snapped his fingers. He looked like a pirate from a children’s programme. Ramo raised his shoulders and quickly dropped them, feigning disinterest. “Sure you do, mate. I can tell. Women like Jools come into a man’s life only once. Julie was her name. Is her name, I suppose. She’s still alive. Julie Stillwater. Can you imagine? Stillwater? There was nothing still about my Jools, I tell you that mate. Oh, I’d let them break every bone in my body just to be with her again. “Beanie-man’s words carried an electric charge. His eyes sparkled while he talked about his Jools. Next, he pulled his crown out of his mouth and spoke with a lisp. “You see this,” he extended his arm toward Ramo, spittle flying. “They call it a crown, and crown it is. Jools’ crown. She’s my princess, mate. One of those women that appear at night when you close your eyes.” He put his crown back in. “The pins are meant to be replaced. They’re loose. They say I need a new crown.” There was a shadow of sadness in his voice. When Ramo opened his eyes he saw the room as if looking through a fogged window. Loud groans filled with pain came from his right. Slowly
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