“It’s another post-EU incongruity. Spas are sissy, indulgent, European. Hamams are authentic and Turkish.”

“Ronnie offered, “I don’t want my life to pass me by.” Filling Ronnie’s glass again, Sissy promised, “It won’t.” “It’s already started. It’s whizzing by like a freight train.”

“I’m not talking about them. We told you before, Smith, we wouldn’t play if her”—he pointed at Sissy—“or her”—he pointed at Ronnie—“were playing.” Mitch looked at her. “Uh…Sissy?” Sissy rounded on the coach. “I can’t believe you are still holding that against us. It’s been years!” “He was in traction for three months. A shifter! In traction!” “He was in my way!”

“Let me tell you something. Do you know why those Turkish girls cover their faces? You think it’s because of religion? No. It’s because otherwise no one can stand to look at them!”

“Ah, you fight like a sissy demon. (Takeshi)Sissy demon? Have you ever met a sissy demon? (Savitar)I killed three this morning. (Takeshi)”

“I love the juxtaposition of these words. I love the incongruity, the oddity, the very strangeness of their nearness. Dizzy Gillespie. Pakistan. What does one have to with another?”