Joe Cottonwood

“A hot city, slaked out on the banks of the Mississippi, with too much of its muscle showing to be a dignified city.”
― Richard Jessup, The Cincinnati Kid: A Novel

“A breath of air caught the bottom of the shade, brushed it, and a streak of golden sunlight flashed instantly into the room. Then, as quickly, the air sucked the shade back into position and it was dark again.”
― Richard Jessup, The Cincinnati Kid: A Novel

“I knowed Lancey from back yonder. I see him to Nig's in Memphis and down to Yeller's in Noorlins, back yonder when they was shunting booze into the country. Him. Sheet! Nothing but a comer like you, Kid, only he liked wimmen too. Always got to feel a leg, that's the kind he is. Oooeeeh! That sonsabitch is cold. I seen him gut a feller with a furth card and rattle him s'bad, the feller quit and got up and pissed red in the john and went square. They ain't but one way to ferk with the kind of man Lancey Hodges is...”
― Richard Jessup, The Cincinnati Kid: A Novel

“Good crowd," Lancey said.
"Yeah," the Kid said.
"Nice groceries, too."
"And good booze. My brandy must be Napoleon."
"Uh-huh."
"Yeah."
"Nice looking broads."
"That's a fact," The Kid said.
"Ain't that Shooter something? Love to see him skin a deck."
"It's downright sexy," The Kid said.
"He loves 'em."
"Like stroking a beautiful tit," The Kid said.
"That's it - that's it," Lancey said, nodding.”
― Richard Jessup