This is just a way to raise the capital to start a bigger
business. I’m risking it all on my own abilities. If it works,
I get all the profits instead of a wage and I can move on to
better things. What’s more, if it works well enough, I’ve
got more to pass on to my kids than my parents did. If it
doesn’t . . . well, I’m no worse off than when I started.”
“You’ve got kids?”
“Who, me? No … at least, not yet. Maybe someday.
Right now, the way things are going. I can’t even afford a
steady girlfriend, if you know what I mean.”
Actually, I didn’t. I had plenty of money personally, but
no girlfriend. Therefore, I didn’t have the vaguest idea what
the upkeep on one would be.
“Well, I’d say it’s a noble cause you have there . . .
wanting to build something to leave for your kids.”
At that he laughed, flashing those teeth again.
“Don’t try to make me sound too good,” he said. “I
won’t kid you. I’d like a few of the nicer things in life
myself . . . like staying at fancy hotels and driving around
in cabs. I’d use up some of the profits before I passed them
on to my kids.”
I was suddenly aware of the differences in our economic
standing . . . that what he was dreaming about I tended to
take for granted. The awareness made me uncomfortable.
“Yeah . . . well, I’ve got to be going now. Oh! What
was it, anyway?”
MYTH-NOMERS AND IM-PERVECTIONS 89
“What was what?”
“The name your parents gave you.”
“It wasn’t that hot, really,” he said, making a face. “My
friends just call me J. R.”
With that, I beat a hasty retreat to my waiting cab.