Vern awoke and walked into the street. He could see a plume of dust rising above the tree line to the north, and if he moved quickly he would meet the bus.

Maybe there would be some more tourists and a little more commission, a little more of his debt repaid. On his way past the guesthouse he was surprised to see the Tourists out on the veranda. Matthew shouted and waved at him. Vern nodded and kept walking, assuming Matthew was giving him a morning greeting, but Matthew wanted Vern to come over to find out how he could buy cocaine.

There were only locals on the bus so Vern headed back to the guesthouse. On the veranda the Norwegian girl was rolling in hammock laughter, wrapped in the smell of dead Marijuana smoke. Matthew sat on a tree stump cutting arcs into the sand below with curled toes. The others had disappeared.

"You two havin' a good time, huh?" he asked with a smile.

"Vern," Matthew said as casually as he could, "Do you know where we could get a little of the local ... specialty?"

Vern's smile melted into a frown.

"You think we're all like that, selling dope and cocaine? We're not, you know. Maybe some, but not all. I cannot help you get what you want, but I help with this advice. Be careful here. You have money, nobody cares who you are, where you are coming from, if you're nice, or if you're bad. Be careful or somebody will take your money.

Vern pulled his lips together, tightened his eyes and flared his nostrils. He then turned and hurried away, ignoring an attempted apology. Once he was out of their sight, he smiled nervously.

Matthew spent the afternoon trying to forget what had happened with the help of Aguadiente and his companions and when the large bottle was empty the group swayed off to the beachfront for a meal. The Tourists barged into the first restaurant they could find, claiming the longest wooden table in the centre of the room despite a scowl of disapproval from the hostess. Chairs collided and beer bottles tinkled above the drunken conversation that bounced around the table. Customers eating by themselves were invited to join the party for a drink, and soon all the others dragged their chairs across the sand floor and rearranged tables to join the ruckus.

Late in the night Matthew found himself sitting beside a beautiful negress, who would clutch at his wrist and laugh with brilliant teeth and a moist pink mouth each time he spoke. He hadn't completely forgotten the incident with Vern, but she didn't seem like the type to be offended, so he asked her where he could buy some cocaine. Without speaking, she took his hand and led him out of the restaurant.

He was surprised to find Vern blocking their path in the street outside. Vern feigned surprise when he saw Matthew, as he had been waiting for some time. He asked where they were going. The girl said something sharp in mui rapido Spanish, spat at Vern, grabbed Matthew's arm and began to drag him away.

"You shouldn't go with her. They'll see how much you have, and make you pay everything. They'll take any money you have," Vern called out after them.

Matthew stopped, and turned to face Vern. His eyes were large and his hands hung open'palmed by his sides.

"How much money do you have?" Vern asked stepping closer.

Matthew produced his wallet and was surprised at the thick wad of folded paper banknotes nestled inside. It was everything he had brought with him to the town. Vern quickly estimated the amount and thought that it might almost be enough.

"If you don't want to lose it, give it to me now. Take just enough for what you need, nothing more. I'll keep it safe for you. I'll stop by tomorrow. Go and have your fun. Go on."

"I'm sorry I offended you today, Vern. I came here to try some things..." he trailed off.

"I know. It's OK."

Vern smiled and vanished into a future with ten toes.