The Northwest times. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1947-1955, 1947-03-25
What Can l Do q?

Why am JCIld WOTklilB
"I'e got a bad leg. Nobody wants /
a guy with a bad leg"
He said this with a tone of re-
luctance and finality.
How bad is it?" !
Il get around on it. if that's what
you mean"
You are kinda fresh. but can
use a dishwasher right now. My
regular mans been en- binge. You
couldn't be any worsen that drunken
heel
"whatn you give me for work |
ing?"
Let's see. It's six O'Clock now.
Stick around ill midnight and III
decide"
Il guess that1l be all right"
1.-THE crew down at the round
house knocks eff at seven. You
won't have anything to do till then,
but when they come in here, it'll
be busy as hell"
20. K"
There's some stew back in the
kitchen. The breads under the
counter. You'd better eat before the
crowd gets here
The man slapped a few slices of
bread on a plate and put it in front
; of Jiro"
Go ahead and eat. If there's
J something you can't find, holler.'
He walked along behind the coun-
ter to the far end where the cash
I register was and stared out of the
2 window.
Jiro watched him for minute
then slid off his stool and moved
into the kitchen. He threw his hat
and suitcase in the corner. He
found the stew in a Clipped ena-
mel pot on the stove and dipped
himself a large plateful of it. He
: walked out to the counter again
: and seated himself on the same
/
stool. The nan was watching him.
s Il said you limp pretty bad"
It Jiro ate without answering.
d You limp pretty bad. don'tcha?"
e Jiro crushed the bread between
h his fingers brutally and let it fall
into the steaming stew
lie "How'dya get it banged upP'
n II don't talk about it." he replied
a forcing the words out
" YOU'RE touchy about it, ain
you?" the man said, as if having
made a wonderful discovery.
n What if I amp" Now, shut up
! The last was hollered in almost
II pleading tone.
lg Sure" the man said. an
lie turned around to look through tn
l. window once more.
as Jiro ate slowly crossing his RICH
E. leg over the bad left as if trying t
hide it. He didn't look up, afrai
1g that the man might be watching hir
sh again. Finishing the last slice {
re bread, he wanted more. He starte
lie to get off the stool, but he didn'
,ir He dipped his spoon into the ste
and ate it mechanically for sever
ng al minutes.
Suddenly, he quietly slid off tn
ly STOOL and, keeping his head dow
rounded the end of the counter an
ill got some more bread, He climbe
back on the stool and resumed h
ly, meal, grateful that the man sai
n nothing. He hoped that the ma
e. was still staring out the window.
lly How long you been on the bum
led Jiro started but was relieved tn;
the subject had been removed fro
all his leg
led About three years"
oss How do you like it9" ,
er- mot too bad when there's nothir
ply else to do"
Ever plan on settlin' DOWN."
DOR who knows?"
at I'D say it's one helluva way
lat live"
Maybe there's no other way
md a guy like me-" Jiro answered, III
ION mediately hating himself
"Whattaya mean, a guy like vol
it'll What's wrong With you?"
you Nothing. Forget IT.
"Oh, I get it. Your bad pin?"
The voice sounded cruel. as if
lin WAS delivered lalThing.
II said forget it."
Sure. 1 never seen guy
toE ny as you. -. what If you g
zee. bum leg. MaYoe. I'll break mil
some day too"
"snut up, sail"
The man laughed. out loud. b
ms a. soon as he stomp anger wash
across his face He yelled ,nenacin
er- ly
but How long does it take you
an eat? Get back in the kitchen al
scrub the floor"
to" He lit acigarette and turned
the window once again.
au- Jiro burned inside, wondering
he often did how it would feel
ats kill a man.
He picked up his plate and we
back into the kitchen. Filling t
Oh n