The Bamboozlers - Hardcover

Michael de Guzman is the author of Melonhead and Beekman's Big Deal. He lives in Seattle, Washington.

From The Bamboozlers

"How is the Stradivarius?" Elly asked.
"As ever," Wendell said. "As always."
"What's a Stradivarius?" Albert asked.
"A very old, very rare violin made by Antonio Stradivari, or one of his sons," Wendell said. "They're works of art."
"Why do you have a Stradivarius if you don't play the violin?" Albert asked. "Why do you carry it around?"
"Tell him what's in the case," Elly said.
"You tell him," Wendell said.
"I don't know," Elly said to Albert. "Nobody knows what's inside. He's never let anybody look."
"How come?" Albert asked.
"Your great-grandfather Enrique was a spear carrier for the Metropolitan Opera Company in New York City, island of Manhattan," Wendell said. "His father was Spanish and Moroccan. His mother was Indonesian and Dutch. Your great-granduncle Eduardo was an artist. I have my Stradivarius."
"Tell him what else his great-grandfather Enrique was," Elly said.
"He was a businessman," Wendell said.
"Like you're an astronaut," Elly said.
"If I ever have to fill out a form," Wendell said, "I'd be inclined to put myself down as an entrepreneur."
"Some entrepreneur," Elly said. "Tell your grandson what you do for a living."