c'mon chuy, we're gonna be late. cops are bad news. don't look at them. not too little, not too much. you rub it in, around and around like this. let the leather take it. you watching? you should learn to work the shoes. you're good with your hands. chuy. you gonna get all wet. did you look at the story book i got you? our animal friends. can you say that, chico? "friends"? a friend is the one you can trust. when you are with a friend, no matter where in the world, you are at home. in this city. a friend is a hard thing to find. no one is there. is empty. chuy, listen to me. they have jesus on the cross, but that is not a holy place. you understand? ah, nino. god only knows what goes on in your head, eh? he's special. my father saw me stay in bed, he'd go get a pitcher. cold water, whoosh, i tell you that's some alarm clock, brrrrr! ah! there you go! the way you like 'em, chu-chu. we're low on milk, you remind grampa to pick some up tonight, okay? no, no, please understand. i can't wait that long. please. i write it down. 2. 8. 7. 3. what does this mean "case number"? okay. so, now what? when can you? no, i can't wait. no, listen. hijos de puta. frowns, looks down at the dark flophouse across the street. mr. funny shoes. chuy. chuy. hurry, the woman needs help! chuy. he was taken. he's down here somewhere. oh, please, hurry. i saw what was after her. just hurry. there! hey, hey!! take it easy!! wait. is how we make loose the ticks back home. doctor tyler? where the hell'd that thing come from? but it look like a man. it. i saw it. ". and behold he will come that walks as a man, yet is not a man- " looks to the roof, listening. oh, how you gonna get there, leonard? hop? i pull. he's out there. i heard him. how can he be? this things. i didn't protect him, lady. he trusted me. and i didn't protect him. his father. i lost his father to the streets and now, chuy. chuy? nino. chuy. nino, please. dios mio. chuy. no, no, chuy, no. stands under an archway in a swirl of dust. he raises his arms, like a prophet. he lets go of hsi razor and kneels. god has closed his eyes. this, he cannot see.