Summary

Right Burke, Socrates’ best friend, is dying of prostate cancer. A World War II veteran, well into his 70s and half paralyzed by a stroke he suffered several years before, he tells Socrates he wants to die in his own time, and asks Socrates to get him a gun. Socrates digs up some of the money he got as a reward and has Luvia take Right to a doctor uptown, and then goes to a local “reputable” drug dealer and buys 100 strong doses of morphine. The doctor Luvia takes him to says Right’s cancer is inoperable and he only has a little time left, but the pills Socrates has brought him ease his pain enough so he can go out for one last night. Right tells Socrates he wants to drink some good whiskey, see some pretty girls, and escape from the pain just...