Page 27 - Contrast1958Winterv3n1

"Make sure that I make it to nineteen, huh, Ma? Okay. Don't

worry about me. I can take care of myself."
Walking to the door, Red opened it, and as he stepped outside

he said over his shoulder, "I don't think Pop would worry too much,
though. It would be one less mouth to feed."

Hurrying down Fairmont Street,he turned onto 33rd Street and
followed it until it met Market. There he turned left and hugged the

shadows near the buildings.
"Street light out. That makes it nice," he muttered to himself

as he stepped into the shadows of an adjoining alley. Looking across

the street, he watched a customer leave Shultz's Grocery. The clock

in the window showed 10:21 P.M.
10:30. The street was silent. "Few cars out tonight. Kinda odd,"

thought Red.
10:43. Red's head jerked up! Footsteps were approaching down

the street. His hand moved automatically to his pocket. Feeling the

cold steel, he was comforted.
"You're a little late, you stupid cop," reflected Red. "You should

have been here 5 minutes ago. Now you'll stop to talk to Shultz.

Dumb cop, you do it everyday."

"Hi, Shultz, how's business?"
"Fine, Pete, fine. Had one of my best days today. How's the old

beat?"
"Pretty slow, thank goodness. Things have been pretty quiet in

the last two days in this section. They had the usual gang war up a

couple of blocks this morning, though."

"Anybody hurt?"
"Couple kids got slashed up a bit, but that won't stop 'urn."
"Nothing can stop those kids. They're bad clean through."
"Well, I don't know. There are plenty of good boys around
here too. Can't stand around here all night, though. Have to get
back to duty. Say! Nice looking apples you have here. Mind if I

take one?"
"You usually do anyway, Pete. Help yourself."

"Thanks. See you later, Henry."
Red watched the policeman leave. "Give him a couple of minutes

to get down the street. He won't be back again until around 11:45.

That gives me plenty of time." he thought
He crossed the street into the store. "Old buzzard,"

to himself. "He'll crumble as soon as he sees the rod."

"What can I do for you, son?"

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