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Albert said, “Sam, I respect you more than I can even say And Astrid, you are way sht to shut me down”

That was it for Sam “Okay, I tried to be nice But I am the mayor I was elected, as you probably remember, since I think you voted for me”

“I did I’d do it again,here This club is about all these kids have that can get the in their ho, they forget how hungry and sad they are This is a good thing I’”

Sam stared hard at Albert, a stare that kids in Perdido Beach took seriously But Albert did not back down

“Sa back with kids ere rounded up and forced to work?” Albert asked

“Not many,” Sam admitted

“Orc picked a whole truckload of cabbage Before the zekes figured out how to get at him Because we paid Orc to work”

“He did it because he’s the world’s youngest alcoholic and you paid him with beer,” Astrid snapped “I knohat you want, Albert You want to get everything for yourself and be this big, iuy But you knohat? This is a whole neorld We have a chance to make it a better world It doesn’t have to be about so over on everyone else It can be fair to everyone”

Albert laughed “Everyone can be equally hungry In a week or so, everyone can starve”

A group of kids were leaving, pushing open the door Sanized theht if not by name

They ca, happy

“Hey, Big Sam,” one of them said

Another said, “You should go in, dude, it’s great”

Sament

The decision could no longer be put off Close down the club or let it go If he didn’t close it down he was giving ground to Albert and would probably have another stupid fight with Astrid, ould feel as if he’d ignored her