Fiction

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Year 1942:

Asher and David were passing through the bustling crowds in Istanbul's Grand Bazaar. David deftly threw a crumpled bag into a waste bin. He commented, "wouldn't be funny if the garbage man gets our pay before our contact does?"
Nearby a Turkish boy was calling "Shine shoes, Shine shoes." He came closer to Asher and repeated. Asher gave him his pay. The boy busily did his work and then Asher said, "Good job." He reached for a tip.
David touched him, "Not so fast", he said.
Asher looked at the shoeshine boy,"Yes".
Then Asher asked, "Why my shoes?"
The boy said, "You looked rich and looked like you give good tips. I wrong."
Asher replied, "Well, I don't think your boss would like me giving you money."
The shoeshine boy went pale beneath his olive skin.
"Uh-huh, what I thought", replied Asher. Then he said, "Well you saw me. Tell your boss that we are doing nothing against your country. Oh and also tell him that I found a copy of a photo of the Istanbul Naval Yard recently in one of these wastebins."
The Shoeshine Boy said, "I no understand."
Asher said, "And tell your boss I don't care about your navy but I do wish him to be nice to my friends. I think he'll understand that one."
The shoeshine boy nodded.
Then Asher said, "And for heaven's sake, be careful who's shoes you shine."
The Shoeshine Boy nodded and left.
David said,"Poor fellow, he's doesn't know what he's getting into. Wonder how long he'll last."
Asher said,"We didn't know either. Maybe he'll be a 'Turkish Asher Goldstein'"

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