42

…if all the Smiths was laid end-to-end there just ain’t no telling what might happen…

Monroe D. Underwood

Monday morning Betsy had a call in Arlington Heights.

When she left I had three cups of coffee and a brainstorm.

I looked in the telephone book for Ystebs.

I found one.

3442 West Belmont Avenue.

I dialed the number.

A woman answered.

I said is Nivlek there?

The woman said who this?

I had to think fast.

I said Boris.

She said Boris who?

I said Stranguloff.

She said I don’t know nobody named Stranguloff.

She said I don’t even know nobody named Boris.

I said what about Nivlek?

She said I don’t know nobody named Nivlek.

I said do you know anybody named Smith?

She said no.

I said neither does Old Dad Underwood.

She said I don’t know nobody named Underwood.