Pineo

Pineo affects an Eastern European accent, makes a fist, scowls Mazurek-style.

Asimov's Science Fiction 2003

Despite having urged Bobby on, Pineo taunts him about Alicia the next afternoon.

Asimov's Science Fiction 2003

That evening Bobby's taking his dinner break, perched on a girder at the edge of the pit along with Mazurek and Pineo, when they switch on the lights.

Asimov's Science Fiction 2003

He shows his ID and goes down into the pit, looking for Pineo and Mazurek.

Asimov's Science Fiction 2003

Pineo dances on his barstool, his torso twisting back and forth, fists tight against his chest, a parody -- Bobby knows -- that's aimed at the couples, meant as an insult.

Asimov's Science Fiction 2003

Roman glares at Pineo, then takes himself off along the counter and goes to reading a newspaper, turning the pages with an angry flourish.

Asimov's Science Fiction 2003

Pineo fakes throwing a left hook under Bobby's ribs.

Asimov's Science Fiction 2003

Bobby and Pineo always try to guess what she says.

Asimov's Science Fiction 2003

Pineo goes with hands thrust into his pockets, eyes angled away from the others, and Mazurek looks straight ahead, swinging his thermos, resembling a Trotskyite hero, a noble worker of Factory 39.

Asimov's Science Fiction 2003

Even afterward, walking with Mazurek and Pineo through the chilly, smoking streets, distant car horns sounding in rhythm like an avant garde brass section, he half-persuades himself that it could have happened.

Asimov's Science Fiction 2003