breaking the silence

The conversation lulled. She looked at his buttoned shirt.

"You should have snaps." She touched his collar.

"Yeah?"

"And a hat."

"Oh, you mean like that guy?" he asked, motioning at someone behind her near the dart boards.

"With boots."

Just as she said it, the man from across the room walked up, complete with her three requests.

"She was just telling me I needed a shirt like that," he said to the newcomer, who moved to set his beer on their table.

He didn't make it -- the cup crashed to the floor. They looked down at the small alcoholic tragedy, and he promptly walked away.

"You know, that was your fault."