The next day, Jinx made her way back to Brooklyn. She hated that she had to make the trek by herself, but understood why. If Spot saw her coming with any of the Manhattan boys, he would surely think something shady was going on. When she reached the Brooklyn Lodging House, she was surprised to see that Knox was know standing guard at the door.
"Move it Knox, I'm just comin' home," She tried her best to sound intimidating, but knew that her voice was shaking.
"No deal, girlie. You packed up. You went to Manhattan. You ain't comin' back." Knox stood strong. He didn't want to make Spot angry.
"Fuck you Knox, I was just visiting a friend!" Jinx started to get angry, but quickly realized that she was no match for Knox, at least not in strength. "You know I could neva be too far from you, Knoxy" she cooed. Knox's cheeks turned crimson and Jinx knew she had hit a soft spot. "With your big strong arms, and sexy voice, what goil in her right mind would eva leave Brooklyn?" She ran her fingers up his muscular arms and tried her best to sound convincing. "Now, please, sweetie, let me come home." Without a word, Knox stepped to the side and let her enter the house. Jinx smiled with pleasure as she passed him, and made her way up to Spot's room.
"Spot, I have a proposal for you." Jinx was proud that she remembered the word 'proposal'. Jack had tested her all the previous night to make sure she had it right for when she spoke with Spot. "I know the house needs money. You know I'm a great thief." Spot looked at her with doubt. She dodged his glances and continued with the speech she and Jack had prepared. The Brooklyn house didn't have a caretaker, like the Manhattan house had Kloppman. As a result, they were always short on cash to buy necessities like food. Jinx had been hoping to play to this need. "I'm ready to give up selling papes on the condition dat you let me woik for you. I'll go out everyday and pick pockets for money to keep the house runnin'. Wuddya say?"
"What's in it for you?" Spot asked without emotion. He was always able to keep his face completely blank, a definite advantage when playing poker.
"Well, you let me keep a bit of the money I steal, just so I can survive, and you let me keep staying heah in da house, no charge." Jinx said with false confidence. She knew the goal was to make Spot reject her offer, but she absolutely hated rejection, especially from someone as good looking as Spot. Jinx knew she was a sucker for a pretty face.
Back in Manhattan, Jack and Race were pacing nervously. The others had gone out to sell papers, but neither of them could bring themselves to leave the house, in case Jinx returned with an update.
"What if he takes her up on her offer?" Race worried out loud.
"Have you eva seen Jinx try to steal? It's horrible." Jack tried to comfort him.
"What if he offers her something? Something better than we can give her? Do ya tink she'll side with him?" Race was panicking now.
"What da hell could he offer her? She's afraid of him! She ain't gonna take anyting he's got to offer her."
"Unless she's moonin' for him. What if he asks her to be his goil? She ain't gonna turn dat down!"
"Race," Jack sighed, "What makes ya tink dat would happen?"
"Maybe ya ain't seen it, but she'll fall for a guy in a minute! Ain't ya seen da way she eyes you ova?" Race laughed, despite his nerves.
"I don't know what you're talkin' about," Jack said with all honesty.
"Oh come off it, Jacky. She looks at ya dat way like she's in love and you two barely know each odda. Maybe she'll do da same for Spot. Ya can neva tell wid goils!" Race exclaimed. "Look at Bam! She's got me runnin' all ova da damn place, and still have no idea how ta handle dat goil!" Jack looked at him with confusion.
"Wuddya mean she looks at me?" Jack asked.
"Oh neva mind." Race had been hoping Jack would ask him what he meant by what he had said about Bam, but it was clear that Jack's interest was peaked by Jinx instead. Race rolled his eyes, and continued pacing.
Meanwhile, in Brooklyn, Jinx was shifting nervously under Spot's stare. Nearly ten minutes had passed since she concluded her prewritten speech, and still Spot had not said a word. She was terrified that he knew she was up to something, but tried her best to hide her fears. She tried to distract herself with thoughts of Jack so that she would remain calm, but her mind kept focusing on Spot's eyes burning a hole through her forehead.
"Jinx," Spot finally spoke. Jinx had to catch herself from breathing a sigh of relief. "I don't want you to be offended by this, but you ain't exactly da best in town, if ya know what I mean." Jinx was instantly excited by his words, but knew she needed to look upset. "Ya know I ain't big on havin' goils woikin' for me, and dere are a few I might make an exception for, but you ain't one of dem." Spot saw Jinx's eyes light up for an instant, and immediately was suspicious. He planned his next words carefully. "Dere's only one goil who's got the right reputation ta woik for me, and you and I both know who dat is. If you can bring her to me, den I'll still let ya stay heah for free, plus give ya a small cut of what she brings in." He was counting on Jinx bringing Bam back to him with this same offer. He had a feeling that if she were offered some kind of security and acceptance, she wouldn't be able to turn down his offer.
"Spot.." Jinx started.
"Now don't get too excited. I'm tawkin' a real small cut." Spot interrupted. Spot could see Jinx's mind working, but his was working faster. If this worked out, he could make some money, plus get his reputation back.
"I ain't upset, Spot, I undastand. Maybe in a year or so, I'll be good enough. I'll do my best to bring ya da once ya want." Jinx was excited by the way this was working out. Not only were things going according to plan, but she also had the chance to make a little bit of extra money on the side. Spot and Jinx spit shook, and Jinx made her way back to Manhattan to deliver the good news. Little did she know, as soon as she was out the door, Spot was discussing with Knox what his new plan was, assuming Jinx brought Bam back to Brooklyn.