Who you callin' a Bum, Bush? America, you're just going to have to live with a more aggressive Russia...and currency sabotage... They're not here five minutes, and the defrauding's in full swing. I swear...
Who you callin' a Bum, Bush? America, you're just going to have to live with a more aggressive Russia...and currency sabotage... They're not here five minutes, and the defrauding's in full swing. I swear...
“Yo, how you boys doin’?” We were uncomfortable, but not alarmed. After all, these were Giuliani’s late ’90s. We were
By the time we heard the vagabond’s cooing, cozy voice, he had already gained on us. Short, slim, and thoroughly unimpressive, he could have passed for Subway Musician or Clock-punching Commuter. Clearly out of touch with the latest fashions, he was just clean enough to pass for a grunt. “Where you boys headed?” “Home, we replied,” in complete accord. “Ah, that’s nice, I’m headed home myself.” Nothing like a universal destination to unite disparate strangers.
Ah, yes, our homes, Mike’s new one in Northern Jersey—which he was technically leaving for the night by crossing the George Washington Bridge. And mine—in
“You know, robbery bullll-shit.” We really didn’t. Getting mugged for your Walkman by some wiggers at the bus stop, yes. “Robbery bullll-shit,” no. Time to be alarmed, but Mike and I kept moving. Moving and nodding knowingly. Yeah, man, we hear ya. The ex-jailbird threw an arm in the air for reassurance. “Don’t worry none. I jis’ hit ’em rich assholes, I ain’t neva touch no real folk.” Mike and I exchanged looks, but quickly regrouped. Play it cool. That’s all there was to it.
Passing through an endless dark tunnel beneath heavy
“Nah, we ain’t got nothin’.” For better or worse, immigration and family conditioned in me a reflexive response to unauthorized request for funds. Every beggar a drug-dealer. Every woman with a sign a gypsy. As soon as I said it, I knew we were toast. But Mike backed me up. We had a straight story. Even brigands respect straight stories. “I knew you boys were po’ like me.” Word to our mothers. I knew I could have used one from her right then. Mercifully, the blue circle of mass transit salvation was in sight. But our felony-flaunting friend was no dope. “How you guys gettin’ on dat train?” Sheeeiiiit.
We were so close and now one tiny little matter stood between us and that downtown A. My little white lie. Mike flashed a glance at me, telegraphing his thought. There was only one thing to do. Jump. Something I hadn’t done…well, almost ever. Between getting force-ducked by my mom ’til I was 13 and abusing a school-issued Metrocard, I had no need. So it appeared Mike and I were about to jump like so many literary heroes before us. “Jump!”
“Aaight. Dat’s my boys. We all goin’ jump!” Touching, nearly to the point of tears. He was proud of us. F’in right! We were gonna stick it to the man—sit on it, maaan! And if the man should get his hands on us, we had an out! He made us, Officer! We thought he was gonna do something!
We’d reached the turnstiles. Deep breath. Leap like a sprint jumper and the sacred bond forged between boys and ex-con is forever sealed in self-preserving lies. Breathe out…turn around…the subway grotto suddenly filled with canine woofs and gravelly voices. We turned to see our unnamed friend detained by a pair of German Shepherds munching on his raggedy pants, backed up by several boys in blue. He seemed much more familiar to them than he was to us. But, like so many temporary
“What the fuck?” I said looking at the brand new $100 Oakley ski goggles crowning Mike’s head. “Wow,” my friend replied, tugging on the ski pass dangling from my coat pocket.