Chapter 10

           AllengotajobataflowershopinLancaster,andthingsstartedoutfine."Timothy,"wholovedflowers,didmostofthework,thoughAdalanacameoutfromtimetotimetodotheflowerarranging.Allenconvincedtheowneritwouldbeagoodideatohangsomeofhispaintingsinthewindow,andifonesold,hecouldtakeacommission.TheideaofmakingmoneyfromhisartworkappealedtoTommy,andafterthefirstfewpaintingssold,Tommyworkedharderthanever,investingsomeoftheincometobuymorepaintsandbrushes,Heturnedoutdozensoflandscapes,whichsoldmorequicklythanAllen’sportraitsorDanny’sstilllifes.

           OneFridayeveninginJune,afterclosing,theowner,amiddle-agedman,calledTimothyintothebackofficeandmadeapassathim.Frightened,Timothyleftthespotandwithdrewintohisownworld.Dannylookedupandsawwhatthemanwastryingtodo.Rememberingwhathadhappenedtohimonthefarm,Dannyscreamedandfled.

           WhenTommycametoworkthefollowingMonday,eagertoseeifanyofhispaintingswouldbesoldthatday,hediscoveredthestorewasempty.Theownerhadmovedout,leavingnoforwardingaddress,andtakenallthepaintingswithhim.

           "Goddamnedsonofabitch,"shoutedTommyattheemptystorewindow."I’llgetyou,youbastard!"Hepickeduparock,threwitthroughthewindowandfeltbetter.

           "Rottencapitalistsystemistoblame,"Ragensaid.

           "Idon’tseethelogicinthat,"Arthursaid.