There he was. On the cover. Looking like a movie star. Sandy blonde hair greased back. Gaunt face. Thin lips. Blue eyes. Heroin chic.

Frank kept staring at the cover of Gotham, which read, Life on the Streets. He just stood there staring at himself as if he’d finally accomplished something in his life.

Hey kid, the man said. You gonna buy one or just lookin’? The old man pulled a cigar from his mouth with drool falling off of it. Wait a minute. That’s you, ain’t it? Yeah. That’s you. Congratulations. You made the cover of Gotham. That’ll be five, please. Frank dug in his pockets and pulled out a ten. He handed it to the man.

Come to think of it, Frank said, I’ll take two. He handed the fat man another five. Wait till mom and dad get a load of this.

Yes. They’ll be very proud.

Inside, there were more pictures of him. All black and white. Looking like Andy Warhol’s Interview magazine. He didn’t even read the article; he just kept looking at the pics. 

Look at me, he said to himself. Ain’t that something. I really pulled it off this time; reason to celebrate.

The young man pulled out a wad of dough from his front pocket. A mixture of bills all adding up to thirty bucks. He hadn’t eaten for a couple of days. Hadn’t gotten high either. A choice. 

He decided to go into a diner by Washington Square Park and sit at the counter. Frank placed the magazine down next to his silverware and ordered a cup of coffee.

Cream? She asked.

Yes, please. He pushed the mag closer to her at the tip of the counter. She poured his coffee.

Eating?

Yeah. I’ll have a ham and cheese omelet, he said. With white toast. Buttered. He smiled.

Coming right up.

The kid opened up Gotham so that the photos of him smoking a cigarette and running his hands through his greasy hair could easily be seen by those seated close by. The curvy waitress poured more coffee. She looked down at the pictures. Read the headline. Looked at Frank.

That’s you, she said.

Yeah, the proud one responded.

Nice pics. Real cool. You look like James Dean. Your order should be right up.

The boy from Fort Wayne was grinning. Pleased with her response. He was the flavor of the week.