Invisible man - Ralph Ellison [133]
He looked at me as though he did not see me and I could not tell whether he was laughing at me or with me. I was sure only that he was laughing.
"Yes," I said, "I'll try to master all that is required."
"You can," he said. "And now you don't have to worry about the brothers' criticism. Just throw some ideology back at them and they'll leave you alone -- provided, of course, that you have the right backing and produce the required results. Another drink?"
"Thanks, I've had enough."
"Are you sure?"
"Sure."
"Good. Now to your assignment: Tomorrow you are to become chief spokesman of the Harlem District . . ."
"What!"
"Yes. The committee decided yesterday."
"But I had no idea."
"You'll do all right. Now listen. You are to continue what you started at the eviction. Keep them stirred up. Get them active. Get as many to join as possible. You'll be given guidance by some of the older members, but for the time being you are to see what you can do. You will have freedom of action -- and you will be under strict discipline to the committee."
"I see," I said.
"No, you don't quite see," he said, "but you will. You must not underestimate the discipline, Brother. It makes you answerable to the entire organization for what you do. Don't underestimate the discipline. It is very strict, but within its framework you are to have full freedom to do your work. And your work is very important. Understand?" His eyes seemed to crowd my face as I nodded yes. "We'd better go now so that you can get some sleep," he said, draining his glass. "You're a soldier now, your health belongs to the organization."
"I'll be ready," I said.
"I know you will. Until tomorrow then. You'll meet with the executive committee of the Harlem section at nine A.M. You know the location of course?"
"No, Brother, I don't."
"Oh? That's right -- then you'd better come up with me for a minute. I have to see someone there and you can take a look at where you'll work. I'll drop you off on the way down," he said.
THE district offices were located in a converted church structure, the main floor of which was occupied by a pawn shop, its window crammed with loot that gleamed dully in the darkened street. We took a stair to the third floor, entering a large room beneath a high Gothic ceiling.
"It's down here," Brother Jack said, making for the end of the large room where I saw a row of smaller ones, only one of which was lighted. And now I saw a man appear in the door and limp forward.
"Evening, Brother Jack," he said.
"Why, Brother Tarp, I expected to find Brother Tobitt."
"I know. He was here but he had to leave," the man said. "He left this envelope for you and said he'd call you later on tonight."
"Good, good," Brother Jack said. "Here, meet a new brother . . ."
"Pleased to meet you," the brother said, smiling. "I heard you speak at the arena. You really told 'em."
"Thanks," I said.
"So you liked it, did you, Brother Tarp?" Brother Jack said.
"The boy's all right with me," the man said.
"Well, you're going to see a lot of him, he's your new spokesman."
"That's fine," the man said. "Looks like we're going to get some changes made."
"Correct," Brother Jack said. "Now let's take a look at his office and we'll be going."
"Sure, Brother," Tarp said, limping before me into one of the dark rooms and snapping on a light. "This here is the one."
I looked into a small office, containing a flat-top desk with a telephone, a typewriter on its table, a bookcase with shelves of books and pamphlets, and a huge map of the world inscribed with ancient nautical signs and a heroic figure of Columbus to one side.
"If there's anything you need, just see Brother Tarp," Brother Jack said. "He's here at all times."
"Thanks, I shall," I said. "I'll get oriented in the morning."
"Yes, and we'd better go so you can get some sleep. Good night, Brother Tarp. See that everything is ready for him in the morning."
"He won't have to worry about a thing, Brother. Good night."
"It's because we attract men like Brother Tarp there that we shall triumph," he said as we climbed into the car. "He's old physically, but ideologically he's a vigorous young man. He can be depended upon in the most precarious circumstance."