She did translate that the owner driver of the beat-up Renault asked if they minded listening to a radio broadcast of a baseball game. The clubs enjoined in mortal combat were amateur teams, only in the eyes of the rest of the world. To their fans, they were number uno. The babble of the announcer, blaring out of the radio at high volume —to Jed it sounded as if he was saying Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers, backwards- joined other speakers playing from streetside cafes and shops. Added to this, the driver would occasionally shout something that Jed heard as "Oh-Haw," with great enthusiasm, accompanied by a flicking of his wrist which produced a snap of the fingers, while the other hand jerked the wheel to compensate for the pull, and resulting metallic rumble of a broken shock absorber. Taking this all in, Jenny's definition of the term 'Pana-mania,' was completely self-explanatory.

They passed through Old Panama and he was told that this actually was New, Old Panama. The pirate Morgan had crossed the isthmus from the Atlantic side to destroy the old, Old Panama in 1671. Jed knew about that. He remembered, to the cab driver's astonishment, that the Spanish had turned a herd of wild bulls against the buccaneer, which had in turn stampeded, routing the defenders. Jenny translated Jed's speculation that this was the reason baseball, instead of bull fights, as in other Latin blood countries, was the national sport. A perfect example of historical cause and effect.

What he couldn't imagine as easily was passing by a colorful building, complete with female mannequins modeling dresses from second and third story display windows, which was identified as Hotel Ideal, which was a combination apartment house, delicatessen, and department store.

Fortunately they past that hotel to stop at a posada, a family owned and operated inn. Here, he was amazed that Jenny, daughter of an officer and gentleman who had provided a comfortable, if not luxurious, home and carefree childhood, was willing to go to such great lengths to save a few cents. Three times Jenny directed a thoroughly confused Jed to pick up their luggage by explaining that the price was "ruinous," and they were going to patronize another establishment. She finally settled on a rate of $6 a night for the penthouse suite, and a promise of fresh cut flowers delivered every morning.

By the time they had tested the bed by bouncing upon the mattress, Jed realized he hadn't been so entertained, or had found anything to laugh about, in what seemed weeks. Grabbing Jenny — letting her hair down in front of a gold veined mirror— he threw her down on the bed and pinned her shoulders in a style that would have bulldogged the toughest range cow. "Hey Cisco. Bueno. Mucho gracias. Tortilla. Taco. Adios," he exclaimed, using his full command of the Spanish tongue.

Jenny answered in other Spanish words, which he figured were derogative, so he started tickling. She wiggled loose, and in a twinkle, he was the victim. They playfully tussled about in this manner before melting into one.