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Chapter 2
Thebarberputinacallandthecopsraidedthemeeting.Well,Joy’saprettytoughfighter.Theyhadtobreakhisjawwithanightsticktostophim;thentheythrewhiminthecan.Well,Idon’tknowhowJoydidmuchtalkingwithabustedjaw,buthemusthaveworkedonthedoctorinthejailsome,’causethedoctorsaidhewouldn’ttreataGod-damnred,andJoylaytherethreefulldayswithabrokenjaw.He’sbeenscrewyeversince.Iexpecthe’llbeputawayprettysoon.He’sjusttakenitontheconktoooften."
"Poordevil,"saidJim.
Macdrewhisbundleofenvelopesfromhispocketandcollectedfiveindifferenthandwritings."Well,Joyjustneverlearnedtokeephismouthshut.LookatDick.Notamarkonhim.AndthatprettyDick’sjustastoughasJoyiswhenthere’ssomegoodinit.ButjustassoonasDickgetspickeduphestartscallingthecops‘sir,’andtheygothimsittingintheirlapsbeforehegetsthroughwiththem.Joy’sgotnomoresensethanabulldog."TheyfoundthelastoffourmailboxesontheedgeofLincolnSquare,andafterMachaddepositedhislettersthetwoofthemstrolledslowlyupthebrickwalk.Themapleswerebeginningtodropleavesonthepath.Onlyafewofthebenchesalongthewalkswereoccupied.Thehigh-hungparklightswereonnow,castingblackpatternsofthetreesontheground.Notfarfromthecenterofthesquarestoodastatueofabeardedmaninafrockcoat.Jimpointedtoit."Iwasstandinguponthatpedestal,"hesaid."Iwastryingtoseewhatwasgoingon.Acopmust’vereachedupandswattedmethewayamanswatsafly.IknewalittlehowJoyfeels.ItwasfourorfivedaysbeforeIcouldthinkstraight.Littlepictureswentflyingthroughmyhead,andIcouldn’tquitecatchthem.RightinthebackoftheneckIgotit."
Macturnedtoabenchandsatdown."Iknow,"hesaid."IreadHarry’sreport.IsthattheonlyreasonyouwantedtojointheParty?"
