his hand was on theburly man 's shoulder as they walked up the platform , the dutchman laughing as he spoke , joel nodding , slapping his companion 's shoulder , laughing in returnwhenever there was a break in the man 's monologue.since the couple had been drinking neither tookmuch notice of his incomprehensible replies , heseemed like a nice person , and in their state nothingelse really mattered .