Atdtda36: Figured you knew, 1011-1015 #1

[Paul Nightingale]

In this section Frank is reunited with Stray and meets Jesse. The
relationship between Frank and his nephew is central to the organisation of
the narrative. The previous section has ended with the description of the
Death Special (1010-1011); and this one will end when Jesse meets again one
of the Guardsmen from that passage. On 1015 Jesse is 'the tent kid used to
come around the shop', Brice now 'really fuckin tired' and 'hungry', and
introduced here as 'a ragged shape'. Cf Jesse's 'view of him on 1010: 'big,
blond, and forthright', and unable to 'conceal a contempt for the people
this vehicle was designed to shoot down'. On first appearance Brice is
inseparable from the power he has access to. On 1015, however, he is
isolated and reduced to 'the cold metal snout of a service .45', perfectly
functional but a tool that brings him (and his 'red-eyed look') into closer
proximity. Top of 1010 'the shop' is, from Jesse's pov, 'a galvanized shed',
so one can see Brice's emphasis on work, perhaps the dignity of work, as he
must now highlight exploitation, even disappointment. Bottom of 1010 Jesse
objects to being called 'son'; on 1015 Brice again calls him that, the
exchange now openly antagonistic. On 1010 Jesse decides he has to be 'real
careful'; on 1015 he anticipates the death that might have been inferred
earlier, eventually escaping without replying with his name when Brice has
identified himself. Here, Brice has ceased to be an anonymous enemy; there
is some kind of shared identity as victims, if not rapport. And his 'Sure
know how that feels' notwithstanding, there is Jesse's relief at having
escaped. 

Jesse returns to the narrative on 1013, 'all out of breath', his activity
outside the tent and away from Stray invoked by the Winchester, later
confirmed, perhaps, by Brice: 'You been shootin at us ...' etc (1015). As
earlier, either side of the section break on 1008, the family setting sees
Jesse resisting childhood. Meeting Frank, who functions as a surrogate for
Reef, he must assert himself as both knowledgeable ('I'm happy with my
Winchester, thanks', 1014) and manly (the exchange on cowardice, Jesse
affronted by the suggestion that he 'run away'). Frank's judgement of him
('Not much Frank could teach him') confirm the impression given by Stray's
reference to the 'Balkan folks he's friends with' etc (1013). Similarly, the
exchanges with Brice on 1010 and 1015 offer Jesse, if not adult status, then
one that he anticipates will grant few concessions to his age. Brice might
well call him 'son'; he might also, Jesse supposes, kill him. On 1010/1011
Brice and his fellow Guardsman might be prepared to patronise the two boys
'playin some serious hooky' (1011). By 1015 they have moved on. Jesse's
function is, in part, to highlight futile resistance. On 1008 he shoots out
the searchlight. In the current section Frank enters the camp accompanied by
'the acid-yellow assault of searchlight beams' (1012). A couple of pages
later they time their departure to avoid the lights (1014). If Jesse
protests at the thought of running away, he nonetheless has shown, on
1010/1011, and will show, on 1015, that he knows when open confrontation
might not be the better option.