Two weeks later
Seymour, Alan, and Jerry were in the play yard during afternoon playtime. They were swinging on the swings, happy that they were finally available for their use. "This is great; we actually get to play during playtime for once." Seymour said happily.
"You said it, buddy" Alan said, playfully punching Seymour in the shoulder.
"Hey, shut up and listen to what Harrison is doing." Jerry said, pointing towards the doors to the play yard.
All three boys, in addition to the other children who were in the play yard, looked up and noticed Mr. Harrison talking to another, older gentleman. "So, you don't exactly want to adopt one of these boys. You want to bring one of them to help you with your business?" Mr. Harrison asked the man.
"Yes sir, I've needed some help around the shop. I personally feel a young, healthy, strong boy would be a good way to start that." the man said.
"Allright Mr. Mushnik. I'll let you hang around here for the remainder of playtime so you can decide which boy you want." Mr. Harrison said and stepped back to his usual spot by the doors.
Mr. Mushnik walked around the yard, stopping occasionally to chat with the boys and ask them questions about their lives in the group home. Eventually, he made his way over to the swing set where Seymour and his friends were still playing. "Hey kids, can I talk to you?" he asked them.
"Oh yes, sir." Alan said, remembering his manners.
Mr. Mushink took a seat on a nearby bench and asked the three "So, which one of you has been here the longest?"
Alan and Jerry immediately turned and looked at Seymour, for he had been at the Skid Row Home for Boys longer than they had. Now that he had been put on the spot, Seymour meekly spoke up and said "Uh, that's me sir. I've lived here for five years."
"And what about you two?" Mushink asked Alan and Jerry.
"I've lived here for three years, Jerry here has lived here for only one year." said Alan, pointing to himself and then to Jerry.
This was a hard decision for Mr. Mushink to make, all the boys he had spoken to seemed to be fit for helping him run his florist shop. Some he felt more sorry for than others, complicating his decision even more. He stepped quietly away to think about which boy he wanted to bring home with him and to give a normal life. He thought hard for a good 15 minutes before making his decision.
"Harrison, I know who I want." he finally said.
"Allright, who's it gonna be?" Mr. Harrison asked, eyeing the crowd of boys in the play yard.
"That kid over there." Mr. Mushnik said, pointing at Seymour.
"What! You want Seymour!" Mr. Harrison asked in shock, not believing anyone would want to take someone as troublesome and active as Seymour Krelbourn.
Mushink gave Mr. Harrison a hard stare and said "Yes, I want Seymour. I think he'll be perfect as a worker in my shop."
Not believing what he heard, Mr. Harrison grudgingly led Mr. Mushink out of the play yard and into his office to fill out the necessary forms that would let him be Seymour's legal guardian.
Seymour, on the other hand, stood there in amazement. All these years of dreaming and praying that he would leave this place had finally come true. He was leaving the Skid Row Home for Boys and going to live with someone who seemed to want him, to want to care for him, and who wanted to give him a good home. He was happier than he had ever been in a long time. He was getting a home!