PROGRESS REPORT 10

           April21

           Ifiguredoutanewwaytosetupthemixingmachinesinthebakerytospeedupproduction.Mr.Donnersayshewillsavelaborcostsandincreaseprofits.Hegavemeafifty-dollarbonusandaten-dollar-a-weekraise.

           IwantedtotakeJoeCarpandFrankReillyouttolunchtocelebrate,butJoehadtobuysomethingsforhiswife,andFrankwasmeetinghiscousinforlunch.Iguessitwilltaketimeforthemtogetusedtothechangesinme.

           Everyoneseemsfrightenedofme.WhenIwentovertoGimpyandtappedhimontheshouldertoaskhimsome­thing,hejumpedupanddroppedhiscupofcoffeealloverhimself.HestaresatmewhenhethinksImnotlooking.Nobodyattheplacetalkstomeanymore,orkidsaroundthewaytheyusedto.Itmakesthejobkindoflonely.

           ThinkingaboutitmakesmerememberthetimeIfellasleepstandingupandFrankkickedmylegsoutfromunderme.Thewarmsweetsmell,thewhitewalls,theroaroftheovenwhenFrankopensthedoortoshifttheloaves.

           Suddenlyfalling...twisting...everythingoutfromundermeandmyheadcrackingagainstthewall.

           It’sme,andyetit’slikesomeoneelselyingthere—anotherCharlie.He’sconfused...rubbinghishead...staringupatFrank,tallandthin,andthenatGimpynearby,massive,hairy,gray-facedGimpywithbushyeye­browsthatalmosthidehisblueeyes.

           "Leavethekidalone,"saysGimp."Jesus,Frank,whydoyoualwaysgottapickonhim?"

           "Itdon’tmeannothing,"laughsFrank."Itdon’thurthim.Hedon’tknowanybetter.