Alfred is running in the park at first light Monday morning. His stride is smooth and easy. Birds sing, the breeze is cool, and he feels a rare joy. Alfred Brooks is smiling.
Suddenly his reverie is smashed by two policemen, one of whom shouts, “Hold it right there.” Alfred explains that he is in training, managed by Mr. Donatelli. The cops have heard of Donatelli and ease off. The mood, however, is broken. The good feeling is gone. When Alfred returns home, Aunt Pearl also wonders why he was out at such an hour, but Alfred tells her that he couldn’t sleep and went for a walk.
At work, Lou Epstein, the oldest of the brothers, speaks privately with Alfred about the burglary. He says that Alfred is “a good boy,” but the employers seem distant and distrustful. Jake, the middle brother, takes the deposit to the bank; this had been Alfred’s job. Surprisingly, James, his face swollen and grim, appears at the window as Alfred is arranging fruit in the front window. He doesn’t respond to Alfred’s greeting. Alfred is despondent and fantasizes about robbing the store himself. Suddenly Henry pops in, oozing energy. He is delighted that Alfred will be at the gym after work. Before Alfred can refuse, Henry is gone.
