Chapter 2: Kingston Alley
Hershie woke up completely enthusiastic about Hecht taking him to Kingston Alley. He kicked Hecht awake, causing him to roll on his stomach and out of his sleep. While Hecht's blubber protected him from all blows, he was still groggy as he and Hershie walked out of 770 and onto the street. After walking for five minutes, they stopped at a brick building. Above the door hung a sign that said, "The Levi Yitzchak Library." Hershie and Hecht walked down the stairs into a basement. Hecht stopped at a blank wall and rapped it with his flag three times. Suddenly, the wall began sinking into the ground. When it stopped, Hershie was looking into a long alleyway with hundreds of shops on either side and equally as many people in long white robes going up and down the street.
"Shalom," said Hecht. "To Kingston Alley."
As they were walking towards Greenwald's Gemach, Hershie overheard a conversation between two Chassidim.
"Vus Kumt a Yid?" asked one of them. "From Uman," answered the other one."From Uman? You Shaigetz!" He took out his flag and struck him unconscious.
"Cool," thought Hershie just as they arrived in front of a huge ancient building with the words (Greenwald's Gemach in modern Hebrew) engraved above the door. "Well, here we are," said Hecht. They walked in and stopped at one of the stone booths. Hecht rapped hard on the wall and almost immediately a squeaky voice answered, "Yes, how may I help you?"
Hershie looked down and saw a little green dog-like creature stare at him.
"That's a Gupin," Hecht whispered. "Nasty little things, to put it bluntly."Than he asked the creature to take him to Aron (vault) number 613 and "yes, I do have a key," showing him a little gold-red key.
"Oh, and I have a little business in Aron number 763," he whispered, "and here's a note from the headmaster."The Gupin took them to number 613, where Hershie saw mounds and mounds of gold, silver, and bronze coins."Whooooooo. All mine?" "All yours," said Hecht. "An inheritance from your parents." He helped Hershie put some gold in a bag. "These are Selaim, the silver is Shekalim, and the bronze are Dinarim. Two Dinarim to a Shekel, two Shekalim to a Sela. Simple enough."
They then went to number 763 to which Hecht insisted on going alone. When he came back, he was holding a blue cylinder. He quickly shoved it inside his coat. Hershie pretended not to look, and the walked down Kingston Alley towards there first stop, Feivel's Kapotes for All Occasions. As they walked in, Feivel had just finished measuring one greasy looking boy with dirty peyos. "Alright, here you go," he said, handing him his new kapote. Than he turned to Hershie and Hecht. "And what can I do for this yingel?" he asked. "He needs the finest silk you've got," said Hecht. "Don't be skimpy."
Feivel measured Hershie with his flag, and then started making his kapote. When he was done, he wrapped it up and handed it to Hershie. "Wear it in good health," he told him.They walked down the alley, stopping at various shops such as Kehot Seforim fore Hershie's books, Weinstein's Hardware for his cauldron, Zakon's Pets For All Chassidim for his pet (which was a highly intelligent carp Hershie named Rafi), an finally, they arrived at Ezagui's Flag Shop: Manufacturing Mehudar Flags Since 3336.
Walking in, they were greeted by a frail, yet energetic old man."A starter, eh? Well, come here. I'll find you a flag."He walked to one of the flag racks on the wall, and selected a long, slender flag. "Half a cubit, cedar, stretchy… Nu, give it a wave!" he said, handing it to Hershie.Hershie waved it, and suddenly part of the ceiling feel down on Ezagui. "No, no, wrong one," he said, handing him another flag. "3/4 of a cubit, shittim, and powerful. Try it. out."Hershie did so, and three Hebrew words came out. "Gam Zu L'tova." Ezagui wrapped up the flag, Hershie paid him, and him and Hecht went to the Library, where Hecht gave Hershie his station ticket, his trunk, and he disappeared.
It's been some time, I know, but the next one should be up soon. Just please click that little blue button and REVIEW!
