Nova

——”Hey, Mouse! Play us something,’ one of the mechanics called from the bar.’
——”Didn’t get signed on no ship yet?’ chided the other. ‘Your spinal socket’ll rust up. Come on, give us a number.”
——The Mouse stopped running his finger around the rim of his glass. Wanting to say ”no” he began a yes.” Then he frowned.
——The mechanics frowned too:

——He was an old man.
——He was a strong man.

– Samuel R Delany, Nova

Nova (1968) is Samuel R Delany‘s most purely enjoyable work.