I didn't even bother going back to Brooklyn to sell the evening edition. I decided instead to just wander around Manhattan for the time being. A few blocks from the deli I saw a little girl, about the age my sister would be, with no shoes selling flowers on a street corner. She looked starved and I offered her the sandwich I had slipped into my pocket. She smiled up at me and started eating it. At least now I felt that the money hadn't gone to waste.
I eventually ended up in a shadier side of town; it felt a bit more like home. There was one store that caught my eye. I saw men's clothes for sale through the dirty window, and I went in to look around. Most of it was old and patched up. The garments weren't much better off than those I wore, but there was one item that caught my eye. It was black cane with a gold tip on each end, and reminded me of a photo of my grandfather that Mamai had kept on the mantel in our home.
The shop owner, an old man with long greasy hair, came over to me as I picked it up. He stunk of booze and cigars, but I ignored the stench.
"That be a real gentleman's cane. Fell on hard times and sold me all his treasures. Only cost ya 3 dollars."
I examined it more. I could see the scratches in the paint as well as the dents in the gold plating on the ends. It seemed solid enough to be useful in a fight. I placed it back in its stand and shook my head. "Piece of garbage isn't even worth 25 cents." and I began to walk toward the door.
He called after me, "I'll make ya a deal, $1.00." I turned around and looked at him like I was still considering it. And when I turned away again he said, "50 cents."
With my back still towards him I smiled to myself, and went back for my cane. I tossed the money on the counter in front of him and exited the store.
When I got down the street I whirled it around in the air like a sword for a minute and tucked it into my belt. I felt more like a gentleman now and more confident about the night ahead of me.
I knew I only had an hour until I was supposed to meet the Manhattan boys at the show. I quickly made my way towards the factories where the Brooklyn boys were selling and told them to let Topper know I would probably be out till late, and not to go out looking for me. I could only imagine the look on his face when he got the message. And with a new found energy I headed towards Irving Hall.
