"Fight tuberculosis, folks." Christmas Eve, an old "Fight tuberculosis, folks." Christmas Eve, an old " Lucha contra la tuberculosis , la gente ". Nochebuena , un viejo junkie selling Christmas seals on North Park Street. junkie selling Christmas seals on North Park Street. drogadicto de venta de sellos de Navidad en North Park Street. The "Priest," they called him. "Fight tuberculosis, folks." The "Priest," they called him. "Fight tuberculosis, folks." El Cura "," lo llamaban . " Lucha contra la tuberculosis , la gente ". People hurried by, gray shadows on a distant wall. People hurried by, gray shadows on a distant wall. La gente se apresuró por, sombras grises en una pared distante. It was getting late and no money to score. It was getting late and no money to score. Se estaba haciendo tarde y sin dinero para anotar. He turned into a side street and the lake wind hit him like a knife. He turned into a side street and the lake wind hit him like a knife. Se convirtió en una calle lateral y la brisa del lago lo golpeó como un cuchillo. Cab stop just ahead under a streetlight. Cab stop just ahead under a streetlight. Cabina parada bajo una farola por delante . Boy got out with a suitcase. Thin kid in prep school clothes, Boy got out with a suitcase. Thin kid in prep school clothes, Un chico con una maleta. chico delgado con ropa de la escuela de preparación , familiar face, the Priest told himself, watching from the doorway. familiar face, the Priest told himself, watching from the doorway. rostro familiar , el sacerdote se dijo , mirando desde la puerta. "Remindsme of something a long time ago." The boy, there, with his overcoat unbuttoned, reaching into his pants pocket for the cab fare. "Remindsme of something a long time ago." The boy, there, with his overcoat unbuttoned, reaching into his pants pocket for the cab fare. " Remindsme de algo hace mucho tiempo . " El muchacho, allí, con su abrigo The cab drove away and turned the corner. The boy went inside The cab drove away and turned the corner. The boy went inside desabrochada , buscando en el bolsillo del pantalón de la tarifa del taxi . a building. "Hmm, yes, maybe" - the suitcase was there in the doorway. a building. "Hmm, yes, maybe" - the suitcase was there in the doorway. El taxi se alejó y dobló la esquina . El chico entró en la casa The boy nowhere in sight. Gone to get the keys, most likely, The boy nowhere in sight. Gone to get the keys, most likely, un edificio. " Hmm , sí, tal vez " - la maleta estaba allí en la puerta. have to move fast. He picked up the suitcase and started for the corner. have to move fast. He picked up the suitcase and started for the corner. El niño perdido en la distancia . Ido a buscar las llaves, lo más probable, Made it. Glanced down at the case. It didn't look like the case the boy had,or any boy would have. The Priest couldn't put his finger on what was so old about the case. Old and dirty, poor quality leather, and heavy.Better see what's inside. He turned into Lincoln Park, found an Made it. Glanced down at the case. It didn't look like the case the boy had,or any boy would have. The Priest couldn't put his finger on what was so old about the case. Old and dirty, poor quality leather, and heavy.Better see what's inside. He turned into Lincoln Park, found an tienen que moverse rápido. Cogió la maleta y se dirigió a la esquina. empty place and opened the case. Two severed human legs that belonged to empty place and opened the case. Two severed human legs that belonged to Él hizo. Miró el caso. No parecía el caso el niño había , a young man with dark skin. Shiny black leg hairs glittered in the a young man with dark skin. Shiny black leg hairs glittered in the o cualquier niño tendría. El sacerdote no podía poner el dedo en lo que era tan dim streetlight. The legs had been forced into the case and he had to use his knee on the back of the case to shove them out. "Legs, yet," dim streetlight. The legs had been forced into the case and he had to use his knee on the back of the case to shove them out. "Legs, yet," de edad sobre el caso. Viejo y sucio , el cuero de baja calidad, y pesados. he said, and walked quickly away with the case. he said, and walked quickly away with the case. Mejor ver qué hay dentro . Él se convirtió en Lincoln Park , que se encuentra un Might bring a few dollars to score. Might bring a few dollars to score. lugar vacío y abrió el caso. Dos cortó las piernas humanas que perteneció a The buyer sniffed suspiciously. The buyer sniffed suspiciously. un joven de piel oscura. cabellos negro brillante , brillaban a la pierna "Kind of a funny smell about it." "It's just Mexican leather." "Kind of a funny smell about it." "It's just Mexican leather." farola tenue. Las piernas se había visto obligado en el caso y tuvo que usar "Well, some joker didn't cure it." "Well, some joker didn't cure it." la rodilla en la parte posterior de la caja para empujarlos hacia fuera. " Las piernas , sin embargo, " The buyer looked at the case with cold disfavor. The buyer looked at the case with cold disfavor. dijo, y se alejó rápidamente con el caso. "Not even right sure he killed it, whatever it is. "Not even right sure he killed it, whatever it is. ¿Podría poner unos cuantos dólares para anotar. El comprador olfateó con desconfianza. Three is the best I can do and it hurts. But since this is Christmas Three is the best I can do and it hurts. But since this is Christmas "Clase de un olor raro al respecto ". "Es de piel de México ". and you're the Priest..." he slipped three bills under the table into the Priest's dirty hand. The Priest faded into the street shadows, seedy and you're the Priest..." he slipped three bills under the table into the Priest's dirty hand. The Priest faded into the street shadows, seedy -Bueno, algún gracioso no la cura. " and furtive. Three cents didn't buy a bag, nothing less than a nickel. and furtive. Three cents didn't buy a bag, nothing less than a nickel. El comprador miró con desagrado el caso de frío. Say, remember that old Addie croaker told me not to come back unless Say, remember that old Addie croaker told me not to come back unless " Ni siquiera la derecha seguro de que lo mató , lo que sea. I paid him the three cents I owe him. Yeah, isn't that a fruit for ya, I paid him the three cents I owe him. Yeah, isn't that a fruit for ya, Tres es mejor que puedo hacer y eso duele . Pero como esto es la Navidad blow your stack about three lousy cents. blow your stack about three lousy cents. y usted es el sacerdote ... " se deslizó tres proyectos de ley debajo de la mesa en el The doctor was not pleased to see him. The doctor was not pleased to see him. mano sucia del sacerdote . El sacerdote se perdió en las sombras de la calle, de mala muerte "Now, what do you WANT? I TOLD you!" "Now, what do you WANT? I TOLD you!" y furtiva . Tres centavos no compró una bolsa, nada menos que un níquel. The Priest laid three bills on the table. The doctor put the The Priest laid three bills on the table. The doctor put the Di , ¿recuerdas aquel viejo corvina Addie me dijo que no volverá a menos money in his pocket and started to scream. money in his pocket and started to scream. Le pagué los tres centavos que le debo. Sí, no es que una fruta para el ya, "I've had TROUBLES! PEOPLE have been around! "I've had TROUBLES! PEOPLE have been around! sonarse la pila cerca de tres centavos pésimo . I may lose my LICENSE!" The Priest just sat there, eyes, old and heavy with years of junk, on the doctor's face. I may lose my LICENSE!" The Priest just sat there, eyes, old and heavy with years of junk, on the doctor's face. El doctor no estaba contento de verlo . "I can't write you a prescription." The doctor jerked open a drawer "I can't write you a prescription." The doctor jerked open a drawer and slid an ampule across the table. "That's all I have in the OFFICE!" and slid an ampule across the table. "That's all I have in the OFFICE!" "Ahora , ¿qué quieres ? Yo te lo dije! The doctor stood up. "Take it and GET OUT!" he screamed, hysterical. The doctor stood up. "Take it and GET OUT!" he screamed, hysterical. El Sacerdote establecido tres proyectos de ley sobre la mesa. El médico le puso el The Priest's expression did not change. The Priest's expression did not change. dinero en el bolsillo y empezó a gritar. The doctor added in quieter tones, "After all, I'm a professional man, The doctor added in quieter tones, "After all, I'm a professional man, "He tenido problemas! La gente ha estado en todo ! and I shouldn't be bothered by people like you." and I shouldn't be bothered by people like you." Puedo perder mi licencia! "El sacerdote se sentó allí, los ojos, viejo y pesado, con "Is that all you have for me? One lousy quarter G? Couldn't you lend "Is that all you have for me? One lousy quarter G? Couldn't you lend años de basura, en el rostro del médico. me a nickel...?" "Get out, get out, I'll call the police I tell you." me a nickel...?" "Get out, get out, I'll call the police I tell you." " No puedo escribir una receta ". El médico abrió de golpe un cajón "All right, doctor, I'm going." "All right, doctor, I'm going." y se deslizó una ampolla sobre la mesa. "Eso es todo lo que tengo en la oficina! " Of course it was cold and far to walk, Of course it was cold and far to walk, El doctor se puso de pie . " Tómalo y GET OUT ! " -gritó , histérico. rooming house, a shabby street, room on the top floor. rooming house, a shabby street, room on the top floor. La expresión del sacerdote no cambió . "These stairs," coughed the Priest there, pulling himself up along the "These stairs," coughed the Priest there, pulling himself up along the bannister. He went into the bathroom, yellow wall panels, bannister. He went into the bathroom, yellow wall panels, El médico agregó en tono más tranquilo , "Después de todo , soy un hombre profesional , toilet dripping, and got his works from under the washbasin. toilet dripping, and got his works from under the washbasin. y no debe preocuparnos por la gente como tú. " Wrapped in brown paper, back to his room, get every drop in the dropper. Wrapped in brown paper, back to his room, get every drop in the dropper. ¿Es eso todo lo que tienes para mí? Un pésimo trimestre G? No se pudo prestarle He rolled up his sleeve. Then he heard a groan from next door, He rolled up his sleeve. Then he heard a groan from next door, me ...?" níquel " ¡Fuera, fuera , voy a llamar a la policía que te digo. " room eighteen. The Mexican kid lived there, the Priest had passed him on room eighteen. The Mexican kid lived there, the Priest had passed him on -Muy bien , doctor, me voy. " Por supuesto, hacía frío y mucho caminar, the stairs and saw the kid was hooked, but he never spoke, because he the stairs and saw the kid was hooked, but he never spoke, because he casa de huéspedes , una calle miserable , sala en la planta superior . didn't want any juvenile connections, bad news in any language. didn't want any juvenile connections, bad news in any language. "Estas escaleras ", tosió el sacerdote allí, tirando a sí mismo a lo largo del The Priest had had enough bad news in his life. The Priest had had enough bad news in his life. Bannister. Entró en el cuarto de baño , paneles de pared amarilla , He heard the groan again, a groan he could feel, no mistaking that groan He heard the groan again, a groan he could feel, no mistaking that groan inodoro que gotea , y obtuvo sus obras de debajo del lavabo. and what it meant. "Maybe he had an accident or something. and what it meant. "Maybe he had an accident or something. Envuelto en papel de estraza , de vuelta a su habitación, recibe cada gota en el gotero. In any case, I can't enjoy my priestly medications with that sound coming In any case, I can't enjoy my priestly medications with that sound coming through the wall." Thin walls you understand. The Priest put down his through the wall." Thin walls you understand. The Priest put down his Se arremangó la manga. Entonces oyó un gemido de al lado , dropper, cold hall, and knocked on the door of room eighteen. dropper, cold hall, and knocked on the door of room eighteen. sala de dieciocho años. El joven mexicano vivía allí, el sacerdote le había transmitido "Quien es?" "It's the Preist, kid, I live next door." "Quien es?" "It's the Preist, kid, I live next door." las escaleras y vio a la niña estaba enganchado , pero él nunca hablaba, porque él He could hear someone hobbling across the floor. He could hear someone hobbling across the floor. no quería que todas las conexiones de menores, las malas noticias en cualquier idioma. A bolt slid. The boy stood there in his underwear shorts, eyes black with pain. He started to fall. The Priest helped him over to the bed. A bolt slid. The boy stood there in his underwear shorts, eyes black with pain. He started to fall. The Priest helped him over to the bed. El sacerdote había tenido suficiente mala noticia de su vida. "What's wrong, son?" "It's my legs, senor, cramps, and now I am without "What's wrong, son?" "It's my legs, senor, cramps, and now I am without Oyó el gemido de nuevo, un gemido que podía sentir , no confundiendo que gimen medicine." The Priest could see the cramps, like knots of wood there medicine." The Priest could see the cramps, like knots of wood there y lo que significaba . "Tal vez tuvo un accidente o algo así. in the young legs, dark shiny black leg hairs. in the young legs, dark shiny black leg hairs. En cualquier caso , no puedo disfrutar de mis medicamentos sacerdotal con ese sonido que viene "A few years ago I damaged myself in a bicycle race, "A few years ago I damaged myself in a bicycle race, través de la pared . "paredes delgadas a entender . El sacerdote dejó su it was then that the cramps started." And now he has the leg cramps back it was then that the cramps started." And now he has the leg cramps back gotero , sala de frío, y llamó a la puerta de la sala de dieciocho . with compound junk interest. The old Priest stood there, feeling the boy with compound junk interest. The old Priest stood there, feeling the boy " Quien es ? "Es la Preist , chico , yo vivo al lado. " groan. He inclined his head as if in prayer, went back and got his dropper. groan. He inclined his head as if in prayer, went back and got his dropper. Podía oír a alguien cojeando por el suelo. "It's just a quarter G, kid." "I do not require much, senor." "It's just a quarter G, kid." "I do not require much, senor." The boy was sleeping when the Priest left room eighteen. The boy was sleeping when the Priest left room eighteen. Un rayo cayó . El muchacho se quedó en calzoncillos ropa interior, ojos color negro con He went back to his room and sat down on the bed. He went back to his room and sat down on the bed. el dolor. Empezó a caer. El sacerdote le ayudó a la cama . Then it hit him like heavy silent snow. All the gray junk yesterdays. Then it hit him like heavy silent snow. All the gray junk yesterdays. " ¿Qué pasa, hijo? " "Es mi piernas , señor, cólicos, y ahora estoy sin He sat there received the immaculate fix. And since he was himself a priest, He sat there received the immaculate fix. And since he was himself a priest, la medicina . "El sacerdote podía ver los calambres , como nudos de la madera no there was no need to call one. there was no need to call one. en las piernas jóvenes, brillantes cabellos oscuros pierna negro.