Atdtda35: The wrong kind of details, 1006

[Paul Nightingale]

A brief exchange between Frank and Ewball, one that revisits the
conversation that ended 67.4. Top of 1005, with 'Ewball's smile ... no
longer what you'd call amiable', there seems to be some dispute, 'the
delicate question of who would get to shoot whom': it has been acknowledged
that Foley Walker represents by far the greater challenge.

In 67.4 the proposed shootout has been constructed as a performance to be
rehearsed. In 67.5 Frank's introspective reminds us of Deuce Kindred, making
Vibe a 'second choice, but no point trying to explain that to Ewb' (1005).
The current section suggests ('as if') Ewball is 'hoping this late in their
history for Frank to show some mind-reading skills' (1006) - precisely what
Frank has offered on the previous page: '... no point trying to explain that
to Ewb, who had these strange theoretical branches of Anarchist principle he
was very reluctant to climb down off of' (1005). Cf Frank's first
appearance, and the way the narrative differentiates one Traverse child from
another, on 90: 'Frank was more curious, in a kid-engineer kind of way ...'
etc. Hence, on 1006, Frank 'not wanting too many details'.