Charles Ebbets
Lunch atop a skyscraper

LA RECENSIONE

New York, September 29, 1932

Unspecified height of the Rockefeller Center under construction.

- Hey Phil, pass me a match!

- I don’t have one. Wait, light it from the butt!

- Smoking at this height...it’s like breaking your lungs, good God!

- What kind of cigarettes do you smoke, Norman! They smell dizzying!

- This is fine hay, pauper! High quality you can't afford! Ha ha ha...

- ...and so that son of a bitch reduced your pay!

- Yeah, it's unbelievable Joe. When he told me, I could have smashed his face in! Damn him!

- Don’t shout Joe, it echoes from here and he might hear you...

- I hope he hears me! So I can really smash it! Only if he dares to respond...

- Look, look what a nice package good Charlie has!

- What is there to peek at! My lady treats me well! Rather, what are you putting under your gums?

- My woman told me I have to limit myself, even though today I can’t...

- Tell me, what are you up to?

- Nothing Charlie but...in friendship...you see, Eddie is a little dry too...

- So what? Scoundrels?

- So Charlie, let’s make a deal. You give me a piece of cake, and I’ll give you some cigarettes.

- I have cigarettes! At best, you let me have a go with your sister! Hua hua hua...Come on Hamish, don’t get dark for goodness' sake! At least during breaks we can make some jokes!

- The cake for me and half loaf with salami for Eddie!

- And what’s left for me, may distemper catch you! Is a tenth of your pay okay? Honest offer I’d say! Eddie! Put on a shirt next time or you’ll catch a cold up here! If you have to end up in the hospital, at least go there with a full stomach!

- Are you done already Jackie? What the hell do you have instead of a stomach? A can of turpentine, blessed son?

- Ha ha, hey do you have another drop of coffee Dan? Yours is sweetened just right! Hey how long until the siren goes off, I've got the urge to stretch a bit...

- There’s not much left Jackie, I’m sorry! If it can be enough for you but it’s just two fingers!

- Leave it, Dan! I’ll share a bit of mine with him. In return, I’ll pinch a drop of the good stuff from Harry.

- Here you go but it’s watered down Pete. All that's left of the alcohol is the fragrance. Besides, too much would send me to see the old man in the clouds of heaven! And don’t forget the 18th amendment...

- Better watered down than nothing, damn it!