If anything,Riff really hopes Tony survived. He was desperately holding onto that hope. His best friend had to be alright right? Tony was going to be survive this and be alright. All he could do was hold onto hope and wait. Waiting for him to wake up if he does is not something easy. It is so difficult and definitely emotional too. When will Tony wake up? Will Tony wake up? Will Riff lose his best friend? Not knowing was scary but waiting was not any easier. Riff just wanted to know what the outcome. Would his best friend, brother from another mother live? Would Anton Wyzek survive or succumb? Fate was something unpredictable for sure.
The fate of Anton Wyzek was either succumbing or surviving. Riff hoped it was surviving. He couldn't handle losing him. He couldn't handle losing Tony at all. It has been hours since Tony was hospitalized,he still hasn't woke up. But there was no signs that he wouldn't be waking up anytime. There was no indication that he will end up succumbing either. The waiting should be finished by now and it hopefully was all done. He was trying his best to be patient but he was growing more anxious.For the first time in his life (Tony and Riff are 18),Riff feels fear and despair over something. Because of someone. He never thought he would experience this feeling.
He saw the Jets and he wondered what they were thinking about. Were they thinking about what Riff was currently thinking about? Were they thinking about something else? He was feeling curious and asked them,"What are you guys thinking about?" They all told him: How things could've been different,how things could've gone different. Riff understood that thinking and what if things had gone different tonight? If things had gone different,Riff would be gone. The Jets would've done something after he passed and things keep on going downhill. He wouldn't admit it but he often now felt the same way and thou that way too. He says to them,"I really hope he survives." They just sat quietly at that. Riff asked,"Do you guys hope Tony survives or no?" Action and A-Rab stood up,"Riff,he hasn't been with us since he got back from upstate. What do you think we feel about this?" Riff growled,he knew the answer well.
He said,"Guys,he got out on parole,he had to be careful. Like I said earlier,"When you're a Jet, you're a Jet all the way,from your first cigarette to your last dying day. He's still a Jet. And there is nothing that will change it." Action and A-Rab and the Jets who agreed with them and not Riff stood silently now. They knew that Riff was in the right about it. When you're a Jet, you're a Jet until the day that you take your final breath and he knew they understood and couldn't say it was not true. Ice spoke up,"Riff's right guys. The Jets wouldn't have been a thing without Tony and Riff. Tony and Riff started the Jets because none of us would be here without the Jets. And well we all know that buddy boys." The ones who disagree with Riff nod.