Topdog/Underdog

“So Im riding the bus home. And this kid asked me for my autograph. I pretended I didnt hear him at first. I’d had a long day. But he kept asking. Theyd just done Lincoln in history class and he knew all about him, he’d been to the arcade but, I dunno, for some reason he was tripping cause there was Honest Abe right beside him on the bus. I wanted to tell him to go fuck hisself. But then I got a look at him. A little rich kid. Born on easy street, you know the type. So I waited until I could tell he really wanted it, the autograph, and I told him he could have it for 10 bucks. I was gonna say 5, cause of the Lincoln connection but something made me ask for 10.”

As Lincoln describes the experience on the bus, he describe the relationship between the historical Abraham Lincoln and white virtue. The kid who wants his autograph is privileged. To him, Abraham Lincoln is a celebrity, and Lincoln in costume is like the characters at a theme park. However, the kid has also been to the arcade, which suggests that he shot Lincoln too. The assassination is part of the historical package, and those who learn this history in school are not being taught to think critically about the assassination or what it meant in terms of widespread racism.

“You gonna call yrself something african? That be cool. Only pick something thats easy to spell and pronounce, man, cause you know, some of them african names, I mean, ok, Im down with the power to the people thing, but no ones gonna hire you.”

Lincoln is thinking about Booth’s ability to assimilate. A name that sounds African will mark Booth as black, making it difficult for him to get a job in white-dominated society. The name Booth does choose, 3-Card, is more of a street name. It takes him further from legitimate employment. However, even changing his name does not counteract the legacy of the names that the brothers were given.

“Every Friday you come home with your paycheck. Today is Thursday and I tell you brother, its a long way from Friday to Friday. All kinds of things can happen. All kinds of bad feelings can surface and erupt while yr little brother waits for you to bring in yr share. I got my Thursday head on, Link.”

Money is a big part of the rivalry between the two brothers. When Lincoln brings home his paycheck, the two men are flush with possibilities.