Re: [NJ/NY: Sam, Cris, Lou (+Joey)]
He listened to the spiel. And, look, he'd grown up with conmen all around, all kindsa people claiming they just needed money for the train, their car had broke down, they had a baby at home. Still, 'cause he was a sap, he tried to give money if he had it. Not a lot, but whatever he could. But, this viejo—like recognized like, huh? And Cris, UC, was a good fucking liar. He could talk people where he wanted 'em, make 'em think he was real sincere. And that was going on here, from that sorrowful sound to the mentiona Bellevue and publicity. The inevitable had come to pass. Cris smiled at him, and anybody who knew the guy knew that wasn't a good sign.
"Yeah? I know some people over in the City who could prolly help you with the paperwork for the meds." He seemed genial, his arms dropping casual. "I ain't got my checkbook or my wallet up here." Which was true. And that he'd done on purpose. "But, hey, when we get settled in later tonight at the hotel or my ma's, I'll write you a check, huh?" Cris didn't think the viejo would take that, since it wasn't commitment, but he gave it, and he was just as good at sounding nothing but genuine. He could hear Sam's ma babbling to Lou nearby, and Cris glanced up to find Sam. "We should prolly get goin' though, if we're gonna make it before dark." And the way he said that brooked no argument, least not from the sane. Who knew what these people would do. But, it didn't matter to Cris. He was gonna get Sam (y Joey) outta there, fuck everything else.