Shakedown: Freddy Otash Confesses

9

The market was 2 a.m. quiet. Jimmy and I quaffed Old Crow. I was spritzed with Johnnie Ray’s blood.

Jimmy said, “I’m up for the lead in East of Eden. Elia Kazan’s waffling. It could go either way.”

“I’ll lean on Kazan. He’s susceptible. There’s some pinkos he didn’t rat to HUAC.”

Jimmy walked to the mirror and pointed down at the floor. My hands hurt. My signet ring was missing stones.

“That kid’s down there, Freddy. You know, the one with the wagon.”

I got up and looked. The kid off-loaded magazines. The wagon was positioned sideways. red ryder was painted on it.

“Jimmy, do you know why you’re a freak?”

“I don’t know, Freddy. Do you know why you are?”

I thought about it.

I said, “I don’t know.”