Manhattan Beach by Jennifer Egan

Author:Jennifer Egan
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi, azw3
Publisher: Scribner

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

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In bruising terms, Lieutenant Axel expelled from the program the three men who had failed their dives in Wallabout Bay. But as there was nowhere for them immediately to go (the barge being surrounded by water), and as their services—as both tenders and flywheel turners on the air compressors—were still required, they remained on board, the lieutenant eyeing them warily as the day progressed. He’d fewer divers than he needed. Of his two irreconcilable wishes—to amass a robust diving program and sack every diver in it—the latter had gained an edge.

When everyone else had dived successfully, the lieutenant grudgingly offered Newmann, Savino, and Fantano a chance to redeem themselves. This time all three managed to assemble their boxes and haul themselves back onto the barge. Celebration crested among the group as they steamed back to the West End Pier. It gathered force as they unloaded diving chests and air compressors and heavy wet diving dresses and carried them back into Building 569.

“We did a good job weeding out the bad apples early,” Lieutenant Axel told the group in subdued approval. “What we’ve left now are the strongest men, the ablest men, for diving. Some of you will fall away yet,” he said, a catch of excitement in his voice. “Accidents, injuries, mishaps—those are inevitable. But for now, congratulations, men.”

His eyes seemed to graze Anna each time he used the word “men,” as if he were conjuring her disappearance. In the lieutenant’s eyes, she was the inconvenient residue of a failed experiment—Anna knew this. Building 569 hadn’t even a ladies’ room. In order for her to use the toilet, Katz or Greer had to clear the men’s room and stand awkward guard outside it. She dreaded the arrival of her monthly. Back in her old shop, the marrieds had groused about marine guards glimpsing their Kotex during inspections of pocketbooks at the Sands Street gate. She’d have liked to see them react to this arrangement!

Her makeshift locker room was a broom closet. As she changed back into her street clothes, she overheard the male divers clowning in their locker room down the hall. A plan was afoot to meet at the Eagle’s Nest. It was Saturday night; tomorrow would be a day off. Anna stayed hidden as they passed her closet in boisterous packs on their way out.

When the building was quiet, she peeked from the closet and saw Marle walking alone toward the exit. Like her, he must have been waiting for the others to go. Anna had an impulse to join him. She was about to step from her closet when she heard Bascombe call from outside: “Say, Marle, you still in there?”

“Still here,” Marle called back, slowing his steps.

“The boys are walking over now. I’ll wait for you.”

Marle hesitated, glancing at his wristwatch. Anna had an uncanny sensation of being inside his mind—feeling hesitant, shy of the awkwardness of joining but eager to be included. Bowing out now, with Bascombe waiting, would look churlish; he might not be invited again.

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