The Assistant Chapter 2, Section 2 Summary

  • At the end of the week, Morris comes downstairs, intent on resuming his duties.
  • The woman who typically gets her roll first thing hasn't shown up.
  • Another customer lost?
  • By noon he's tired and returns to bed.
  • The Polish woman is back the next day. She gets her roll without a word to Morris.
  • Morris tries to haul the milk bottles into the store, but reels with the effort.
  • He's caught by Frank Alpine, who helps him into the store, then goes back for the milk.
  • Morris offers him coffee in thanks.
  • Frank mentions an interest in someday owning a store, but Morris tells him the small store is a prison. Well, so much for that dream.
  • Frank asks if he's had some kind of accident to his head.
  • Morris nods. Frank leaves.
  • The next morning, Frank is there to help Morris with the milk. He seems to want to say something to Morris, but doesn't.
  • They smoke and talk a little about their lives. Morris encourages Frank to go to college.
  • Frank is going to leave but asks again about the bandage. Morris says he was attacked.
  • Frank says that people like that ought to die.
  • That's pretty harsh.
  • He asks Morris if he's Jewish. Morris says yes. Frank says he's always liked Jews.
  • Hmm. Really, Frank? Really?
  • That night Frank cleans the store windows and asks Morris and Ida if he can work there for free for a few weeks.
  • Morris refuses, not wanting Frank to live the hard, miserable life of a storeowner.
  • The guy has some regrets…if you can't tell.