There was less damage on the upper east side of the town than in the rest of the city. Most of the available police were concentrated in this area to secure the safety of some of the most influential people in the country. Politicians and public figures lived here to be closer to some of the wealthiest and most influential people in the country. It was the place where upper-class snobs proclaimed their privilege over the rest, where the lines of social status were vainly drawn to keep people in their place in the capitalist pyramid. Anybody carrying too many belongings would be immediately picked out as an outsider.
Although Seth was an uptown outsider, it was not unusual for him to be in this part of town, where the stares of the by passers always felt like needles piercing his self-esteem. He did not realize that the stares were caused by the fact that it had been years since anyone had seen a bike roaming around this part of the town. But it didn’t matter to Seth anymore; he had accepted his place and knew he was a survivor.
Seth stopped his bike in a shaded corner of the crowded street. He chained the bike to a parking meter that seemed to have been broken for quite a long time. As Seth tried to make his way to the meeting location, a drunk homeless man walked shiftily towards him. With animal-like reflexes, Seth avoided contact with the man.
The old drunk seem to be intentionally looking for trouble, and would not leave Seth alone. ‘Watch it, young man! Look where you are going.’
Seth did not want a confrontation, so he took out a dime and tossed it to the poor old drunk. ‘Take this and leave me in peace.’
‘Hmm … you think I want your stupid money? You better be careful. You know who I am?’
‘No, I don’t.… And I don’t care.’
The old drunk finally gave up, took the money, and went on his way. Seth took a look around the block and spotted the club where he usually met with Buck. Seth was suspicious because the meeting time was much later than usual.
‘Buck said that he wanted to introduce someone to me,’ he thought. ‘I hope it’s not one of the drunk, horny bitches that always hang around him.’