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Page52 Hobo Jungle Spring 1989 S1

same way another time? I did. Five car up in a few hours down at a local weeks ago. He was supposed to get it to
years later, different kid, different service station? It sounds okay to me, . me yesterday."
house. Older and, wiser, right? Wrong. so I grab some soup at a local Dunkin' I see my $750 going down the tubes.
Same scene: Nice kid, family lives down Donuts and meet him a little later We skip the ins ction and race over to
the road on a cute little farm with a few where we exchange papers and $300 in the gas station where the Caddy is sup­
pe
head of cattle, horses, a few chicken cash. There are a bunch of cars for sale posed to be waiting. Sure enough, it's in
and some geese. Father's a jet pilot for in the lot. I comment on an old Cadillac the lot. I go in but Crispo isn't anywhere
a commercial airline (heaven help us, that looks in pretty good condition. He to be seen. I ask for the manager.
that should have been the tipoff), tells Die it's his, and it's for sale, real
drinks Scotch like a fish eats kelp, cheap. It just so happens I'm driving to "The Caddy? Yeah, it's for sale.
hangs out at the local tavern with all the Florida in about a week. and I see a
drunks. Mother calls herself the go­ chance to make a few bucks. I figure I "I know it's for sale," I say. "I bought
pher. Father goes away three and four could drive the car down and sell it for it."
days at a time leaving her with the kids a profit. "Not from me you didn't," he says,
and the animals. She goes for every­ We agree on a price of $750, but he pulling the registration from his pock­
thing. Dad leaves plenty of instructions. says the car won't be ready for a few et.
The oldest son likes to hang out with us. days. That's ok with me, so we agree to
We're groovy. Just like he'd like his close the deal later in the week. We drive back to Crispo's house.
mom and pop to be. Meanwhile, I drive over to the MVD to His wife doesn't know anything, not
One afternoon, I pull in the driveway get temporary plates for the car I just even her husband's whereabouts. Next 1
and see a head bobbing around in the purchased. A few days later, he calls to we go to the police. Crispo is wanted all
living room. The kid sees me and races tell me the Caddy is ready. My wife and over town for passing bad checks and
other assorted deeds. We press char­
out through the kitchen door, but I fool I go to his house, but the car isn't there. ges. About a week later, he is arrested
him and run around the side of the My wife waits in the car while I go in. and sent up the river for two years.
house. There's no doubt who it is, he's He tells me the car is down at the ser­
standing right in front of me. We stare vice station. Like a fool I hand him the I deserve it. I know. But what is steal­
at each other for a few seconds, then he $750 cash. We agree to take care of the ing really? It's not a criminal act like
splits through the woods. I race back to paperwork in about an hour down at murder or arson. Someone takes a
the car and shoot down to his house the station. In the meantime, we drive camera from the· front seat of an un­
before he arrives. Mom is outside. I the other car over to the MVD to get locked car. Why do they take it? They
quickly tell her what's happened. I'm pe rmanent plates. We're waiting on the have no camera and they want one of
not quite finished· when the culprit inspection line when one of the inspec­ their own to take pictures, right? I can
blithely walks up to us, none the worse tors comes over talk to us. "Where'd understand that. You say, they don't
for his jaunt through the woods. I look you get this car?" he asks. I tell him we need the camera.They just want it in
him straight ip the eye. He challenges bought it about a week ago from a guy order to sell it to get money for drugs
me with his glances. There's not a lie down in Naugatuck. or liquor. But I can understand that,
detector in the world could catch him too. No, you say. They have a camera,
at the story he makes up. That was the "Was the guy's name Crispo," he but they steal yours just for the hell of
last time I ever saw him. asks. it, for no reason. You know what I say
A few years later, we're living in the "Yeah," I reply warily. "You know to that? Take it. Take it if you need it
same house. Money is tight, but we him." that badly. You must want it far more
need a new used car. I don't trust than I do. No, I can't get too worked up
dealers, so I scan the newspapers. I see "Yeah, I know him," he says. "I about stealing. I learned all about it
an ad for a real clunker. Cheap. I call bought this car from him about two from Uncle Charlie.
the number and a woman with a sweet
voice answers the' phone. She tells me
to wait while she gets her husband. He
gets on, says the car is still for sale, I
should come right over if I'm inter­
ested. It's about a forty-five minute
drive, so I figure I'll go with cash in
hand, ready to close the deal if it looks
good.
The car is parked outside the house
in a strict blue-collar neighborhood. I
look it over, take it out for a quick spin.
Seems like just the ticket. We settle on
a price. He says he'd like to tune it up Are you kidding? I wouldn t walk another mile for anything!
)
before we close the deal. Can I pick the