Зима тревоги нашей

           "WhatcanIdoforyou?"

           "It’skindofcomplicated.Don’tknowquitewheretobegin.It’snotinthebook.Hawley,I’vebeenintheservicetwelveyearsandI’veneverhadanythinglikethisbefore."

           "MaybeifyoutellmewhatitisIcanhelpyoudoit."

           Hesmiledatme."Hardtosetitup.I’vebeendrivingthreehoursfromNewYorkandI’vegottodrivethreehoursbackinholidaytraffic."

           "Soundsserious."

           "Itis."

           "IthinkyousaidyournamewasWalder."

           "RichardWalder."

           "I’mgoingtobeswampedwithcustomers,Mr.Walder.Don’tknowwhytheyhaven’tstarted.Hot-dog-and-relishtrade.You’dbetterstart.AmIintrouble?"

           "Inmyjobyoumeetallkinds.Toughones,liars,cheats,hustlers,stupid,bright.Mostlyyoucangetmadatthem,getanattitudetocarryyouthrough.Doyousee?"

           "No,Iguessnot.Look,Walder,whatinhell’sbotheringyou?I’mnotcompletelystupid.I’vetalkedtoMr.Bakeratthebank.You’reafterMr.Marullo,myboss."

           "AndIgothim,"hesaidsoftly.

           "Whatfor?"

           "Illegalentry.It’snotmydoing.TheythrowmeadossierandIfollowitup.Idon’tjudgehimortryhim."

           "He’llbedeported?"

           "Yes."

           "Canhemakeafight?CanIhelphim?"

           "No.Hedoesn’twantto.He’spleadingguilty.Hewantstogo."

           "Well,I’llbedamned!"

           Sixoreightcustomerscamein."Iwarnedyou,"Icalledtohim,andIhelpedthemselectwhattheyneededorthoughttheydid.ThankheavenIhadorderedamountainofhot-dogandhamburgerrolls.