Prince of Times Square

Time: The summer of 1934

Place: New York City

     This story has to do with the adventures of Thomas Tinker, between the ages of 8 and 12. He is exceptionally bright with an I.Q. in the upper percentile range. He also possesses total recall, and is gifted with an ear for absolute pitch.

     Tommy’s father had died two months before and his mother is still despondent. Worse, she’s without a job, and tells him when their savings are gone they’d have to go on welfare. He doesn’t like this at all, and being the man of the house he decides to take to the streets and shine shoes to earn money.

     Tommy goes to Times Square because he figures that’s where the action is. There he meets Jack Dempsey, former heavyweight boxing champ, who becomes his friend and mentor. Jack, very streetwise, clues Tommy in on what’s what.

     When he discovers Tommy can sing beautifully, and has an extensive repertory, he tells him to charge fifty cents for a shoeshine.

     He asks. “How come I’ll ask for that Jack when everyone else asks for a nickel?”

     “Yeah, I know, but how many of them can sing, or know as many songs as you do.”

     “Why are you being so helpful to me, Mr Dempsey?”

     “Son, the answer to that is simple—I believe in passing on the good word, and it’s that kind of action that separates man from the jungle. 

    

The author, Michael Louis George, is soon be 90 years old. He is currently busy in his San Francisco flat writing his 15th novel. Other works include plays, magazine articles and poetry.