T HE GREEN room spun and finally settled to a slow swim as the bandages were removed from Keith's eyes. At the end of the bed was his mother, a lovely blur of piled hair and bright red mouth in a silly false attempt at a smile.

HTHE GAUDY sign at the bottom of the filthy stairway -**• flashed its message on and off .. . on and off. "Tonight unload your troubles on America's newest funnyman. The critics' choice for clown of the year—Blind John's presents the irresistible Bruce Kaplan."

H I! MY name's Sam. What's yours?" I asked as I bounced onto the beat-up seat beside him. I settled my paper bag on one side where I could keep it from falling into the dirty aisle and popped my fist into my old catcher's mitt.

On the near south side The elevated runs down an alley, Sliding past small hotels With fire escapes climbing their sides. Through a chain link fence The sign says, "Roomettes for Men."