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"I thought she paid off the police"

"She does" He let that land while he drew on the cigar, turning the air thick and spicy "The white folks’ll lose interest in our gaht want to be extra careful out there I’?"

"Fine, sir"

"And Isaiah? He getting along all right?"

"Yes, sir"

"Good, good And on the streets?"

"Smooth as Gabe’s licks"

Papa Charles smiled "Best way to learn the business is froht here next to me"

Memphis didn’t want to work for Papa Charles He wanted to read his poetry at one of Miss A’Lelia Walker’s salons, alongside Countee Cullen, Zora Neale Hurston, and Jean Toohes hi the matter?"

Memphis found his smile "You know me, sir I don’t orry"

Papa Charles sar "That’s the Memphis I know"

Good old Me Memphis Look-after-your-brother Memphis Memphis had been the star once The miracle ain These days, he kept his feelings confined to the pages of his notebook

"It’s tirateful friends," Papa Charles said--code for the protection money every business paid to the Dapper Gentleman if they wanted to stay in business and have his protection The city ran on corruption as much as on electricity

"Yes, sir"