November 1926
The Mysterious Mr . Mann : Part I
I met Mr . Mann one November sunset at The Americana cafe .
I had just come off a shift at the factory , and now sat alone at a table watching the Hudson River . My greasestained shirt did not blend well with the other patrons ’ dress , so I took a seat away from the suits and gowns and took my drink alone . A few customers were dancing to the soft music playing from the window of some neighboring apartment . No doubt they would be dancing to the same tune later in the night at some stranger ’ s house . I do not know why I continued to mingle with a crowd so different from me , except for some deep desire to one day be like them . As I considered my plans for the night ( which , I ’ ll admit , were considerably less exciting than the other customers ’), a hand from behind me tapped my shoulder . “ Mr . Gold , I presume ?” I turned around to respond , and laid my eyes on a well-dressed gentleman in advanced years . The intonations of his voice suggested he was from somewhere in the West . His coat was black as the night and of fine Italian by Tote L . Selou T .
wool , and on his wrist a golden Rolex gleamed . His tie was of the purest silk , and he held a cane with a golden handle with his left hand , though he didn ’ t seem like he needed it . Yet it was not all this that made me pause in my response . There was glint in his eye , like a glint of golden coins being passed through the sunlight , and in a glance they spake my entire soul .
“ Excuse me , sir , are you not Mr . Gold ?” he demanded .
“ I -- I think you are mistaken . I d - - don ’ t know of any Mr . Gold ,” I stuttered , still transfixed by that unutterable glint .
“ We shall see . Come , I have much to show you .” He beckoned to a shining black Ford just out the door , which I could have sworn was not there a second before .
“ Who are you ?” I asked , trying to sound indignant . Yet even as the words came out of my mouth , I found myself standing and following him out of the cafe . That unutterable flash in his eyes beckoned me forward , and I soon found myself sitting next to him in the rich leather back seat .
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