Otto's Night Watch: 'Day of the Magnolia Blossom' ... Flashback Friday

“And that’s how you got stuck with the dog,” I said, nodding as I opened the flask once more.

“That’s just the beginning,” said Speedy. “I took the dog upstairs and tied it to the kitchen sink so it wouldn’t chew up the carpets or something. Then, remembering the psychiatrist’s advice about human involvement, I put two bottles of champagne into the refrigerator. I figured Gloria might be thirsty when she came to pick up the dog. But Gloria phoned later that afternoon and asked if I could take care of Moppsie for a few days because the new landlord was crabby about dogs right now, but he’d simmer down. So there I was, living with a dog in my bachelor apartment. Instead of running the Miehle, I was walking Moppsie through the alleys. Instead of doing my estimating at night, I was wondering whether to give Moppsie chicken livers or hamburgers. She didn’t like canned food. And she kept moaning until I let her sleep beside me in bed, with her head on the pillow, staring into my face. I wasn’t used to that kind of life. Give me another drink.”