Agree to help him

Alex realizes that if Mr. Murphy had managed to look in the right place last night and had seen Alex with Elaine’s legs wrapped around him, he would be in the same spot as Jack. His sympathy won out.

“Ok, I suppose I can help you. Now, what do you need?”

Jack looks relieved. He retrieves a small knapsack and begins filling it with several small tools. Alex looks worried. “Are you sure these belong to you?”

Jack nods. “Look at them; they’re all old, and Murphy has much nicer ones. If I wanted to steal, I’d take those.”

Alex nods, doubtfully.

When he is finished with the tools, Jack says, “What about my clothes? Can you get them for me?”

Alex looks nervously toward the house. Mrs. Murphy could be back at any time. “I don’t know.... Maybe you should come back tonight, and I can hand them out the window or something.”

Jack shifts his weight uncomfortably from one foot to the other. “I’m pressing my luck as it is. You have no idea what Murphy threatened to do to me if he caught me again.”

Alex has a pretty good idea, but he holds his tongue as he considers Jack’s request. Then, remembering his promise, he says, “Wait a minute... What is it you were going to tell me that is so important?”

Jack breaks into a big smile and gives Alex a knowing wink. “Elaine is big time easy!” He beams at Alex, waiting for a reaction.

“That’s it?” asks Alex.

“Dude, you don’t understand.... All you have to do is wink at her, and she’ll be in your pants in no time! You really lucked out by being an apprentice here, my friend. Not only do you get to learn how to be a blacksmith, but you can get laid any time you want!”

Alex scowls. “That’s what you have for me? The news that Murphy’s daughter is a nymphomaniac? That’s the worst-kept secret in this village!”

Jack looks disappointed. “Oh.... How did you find out?”

Alex rolls his eyes. “I started to get a clue when her first real interaction with me was feeling me up under the dinner table. The rest of the pieces sort of fell into place from there.”

Jack’s shoulders droop. “Oh, wow.... I just thought that she was really into me. So you and Elaine — you guys have already —?”

Alex just about responded with the exact number of times but decided he was dealing with a fellow who already had too many dreams shattered. Instead, he just nods, and tries to redirect the conversation.

“Look, I want to help you, but I’m afraid we already pressed our luck too much. I can look for your clothes later and leave them out here behind the workshop tonight. Will that be ok?”

Jack nods, disappointed. “Can you at least get me something to eat? I haven’t had a bite in days!”