Chapter one

Tramp's Pov:

It's been a good six months since Lady and I got married and were waiting for our baby to come into the world. I've been in the office all day, working the Accountant job that my father-in-law got me. Surprisingly, I have always been good with numbers and money, always finding patterns in things. I can't believe how much my life has changed these past months. Hafl, I was stealing from bakeries with Buster a year ago to get food and scamming people unfortunate enough to cross our path. Now, I'm here with my white-collar job, working to provide for my wife and our child, planning a lovely, simple life in Snob Hill.

"Hey Thomas, want to go out to eat for our lunch break? The dinner by the park has a new mac n cheese I've wanted to try." Dan asked. He is a cool guy. He and his wife have known Lady and have been friends since they were kids. We have bonded a lot more because they are also expecting a baby.

"Definitely. Let me finish some paperwork, and then we can head out."

We put on our coats and hats for the autumn weather and made our way to the local dinner.

"Slow down there, Danny. You seem excited to try this Mac n Cheese."

"You bet. Since her pregnancy, Alice can't stand the smell of cheese, so it is temporarily banned from our house."

"I'll keep note that for the casserole we were planning on bringing."

"Thanks, pal," He chucked, "But man-I haven't had a good cheesy potato salad in forever. But you know how it is: the Mrs is the boss." We arrived at the diner and placed our order. Sitting there, I couldn't help but think about how much my life had changed. I went from being a petty criminal to a responsible husband and soon-to-be father.

Buster's Pov:

"Ha ha, nice try, ya pig," I chuckled to myself as I lost the cops. I was scamming some high-class scruffs on buying some "antic family heirlooms" to pay for my "daying mothers' medical builds." Of course, a cop who was on patrol just had to recognize me. But with my skills, he had nothing on me. After hiding behind a wall for a few more minutes, I decided to make my escape through the park. My feet are cold as my worn-out shoes do little to protect me against the snow, but I'll survive.

"Huh, snob hill. As always, it's full of suck-up rich fulls." I fix my jacket and try to stay unnoticed. I keep a look out for my surroundings to try and find a familiar face. My best friend, Tramp, has been missing for the past few months. Word on the street is that he got arrested with some high-class lady friend, and no one has seen him since. Some people think that all his troubles finally caught up with him, but I know him better than that; that is not how the Tramp will go. He's just laying low for whatever new scandal he caused to blow over.

I'm keeping an eye out for him while trying to get out of here quickly before people notice I'm not supposed to be here. Not that they care anyway. The people here are to focus on their own lives, never caring for anyone beneath them. That's why we, on the other side of the track, must look out for each other because no one else will. God, even hearing about how self-centered they are gives me a headache.

"I can't wait to get my new dress from Madame Delacroix's shop! Andy says the color brings out my eyes," I overheard a woman say.

"Can you believe Anna May served chicken at her dinner party? Was turkey too expensive?" another person joked.

"Have you read the news, Peter? They say those wild gangs have been terrorizing the whole neighborhood," a man exclaimed.

"So Alice has only been craving strawberry-favored things. That must be difficult to find."

Wait, that last voice sounded familiar. I turn around, and I can't believe my eyes. His face is clean and shaved, and he is wearing an obviously tailored gray suit and winter button coat, walking with a man who reaks high-class superiority. There was no doubt in my mind that that was my good old friend Tramp.

What. The Hell. Happened?

The guy with Tramp Tramps talking again.

"It is tricky, but with all our women are going through to grow these babies, it's the least we could do." Did he just say babies? Could Tramp be...? No, of course not. The Tramp would never settle down; this must all be part of some elaborate plan. Yeah, that's it; he would never betray us for this pathetic life. Right? I decide to follow them to see what is happening; I trail them at a distance. Enough to hear but not be seen. "How about Lady? Does she have any unusual cravings?"

"She's been craving a lot of watermelon. When we visited her parents, they said that Lizzy had the same craving when she was pregnant with Lady and Jr." He chuckles at the story before continuing, "Apparently, Jim was forced to go out during a blizzard to get it."

"I can believe that. Yesterday, Alice had me go out in the pouring rain to pick the strawberries from our garden. She was craving fresh ones." Maybe it was the way Tramp slung his arm around this man's shoulders or the way they laughed together, but something in me snapped, and I knew that this wasn't the Tramp I grew up with. I saw red, and I couldn't handle it anymore. What Tramp is doing is unacceptable; he is betraying everything we stood for. Before I know what I'm doing, I run between the two men, swinging my arms around them.

"Afternoon, gentlemen. What a fine day it is." Tramp's new friend has this look of disgust on his face, revolted that someone like me would associate myself with them. On the other hand, Tramp had a look of horror. Clearly, he wasn't expecting me, and it only confirmed that he did not want me here.

"What do you think you're doing, you ruffian!" The stuffy man exclaimed, shoving me off him. I stumble back, and people are now staring, but I can't look away from him.

Tramp is fixing his coat and still panicking before composing himself as Stuffy walks over to him, sharing a look that we have seen our entire lives. The look the rich snobs give each other whenever we dare step in their presence.

"I'll have the police called on you. YOU...YOU MUTT!" He storms off, but I don't care. I'm on a limited time here, and I'm going to get to the bottom of this. What has gotten into Tramp?

"Well, buddy old pal, look what we have here. You certainly moved up in life!" I start to circle him, but he stands his ground.

"I think you have me confused for someone else." He tried to walk away, but I cut him off, "I don't think so, Tramp." I growl in his ear.

He stares at me for a minute before giving me a dry chuckle, "Nobody calls me that anymore. It's just Thomas now." he shoves me off with that.

"Clearly, because Tramp wouldn't be here, in fancy clothes, with these fancy people, acting all the better than me. What happened to you?"

"I got my act together; I suggest that you do the same. Now get out of here before Dan comes back with the police. I'm sure you're in enough trouble with them already."

"Don't think you're looking out for me, Jones!" But he was right. I knew I had a limited time and needed to get back to the gang and warn them about what had happened.

I make my escape past the railroad to the junkyard to get on with my life. But this isn't over; it's far from it.