As the snow fell gently br I tumbled into Meng’s at 4: 33 in the morning br and spotted Johnny Walsh br once a Priest now an Out Patient br at South Beach and also a philosopher br who sought for truth outside of faith. br “The Bastards are at it again, ” he said br lifting the coffee to his lips, tasting a bit br then pouring in the Jack Daniel’s for flavor. br “Ain’t that the truth, ” said Harry Katz br closing in on ninety but mind still sharp. br I looked at my watch wondering when br Treasure would show up. br “Oh, she’ll be here, ” said Walsh, br “soon, at first light.” br And then at 5: 03 she pranced in br blue wool cap covered with snow, br then lifted Walsh’s cup br for a decent swallow. br I stared at the ice-crystals swirl. br Harry tasted his oatmeal topped br with prunes and smiled. br And Treasure did the same br also smiling, using Harry’s spoon. br Walsh went on with his summation br of all human history, br “The Bastards are at it again.” br A blast of snow and the true blizzard arrived. br “Used power tools, they did br in Baghdad, on flesh br probably to the bone.” br “Back then the Bastards br used water, ” said Harry. br “Three naked men in a barrel br who froze solid in the Polish night.” br “Who done that? ” asked Treasure gently. br “The Bastards, ” said Walsh br his voice trembling. br I called out to Huey for two orders br of eggs, homefries, toast, and coffee br then waited and watched br as this bit of Brooklyn br become a wonderland.