My grandfather would say the niggers have taken over everything and the Italian fraternities have lost all fucking self respect. I agree with it, even the profanity of it. There was a time when this kind of life was proper and I’m part of the bit that still is. My name is Addison West. People call me Addy. I’ve been educated on the streets and in the halls. Not that any of that maters, you don’t learn how to be a conman you’re born one. You don’t like to hear no and will learn to get what you want without hearing it. You learn a few magic tricks then stop talking about them. Cheat at cards during lunch and palm a cookie there too. If I ever got caught I might have stopped. I never did. With my friend Pick, I steal art. It’s not like in the movies. Mostly smash and grab. Sometimes we use help, this is Cat, born Amber Thompson she got the name because cats have nine lives and by our count she’s on Fifteen.