Tao interlaces his hands and shakes them twice, a gesture of appreciation. “Tell us what you have in mind.”
Jamie glances at me, and I pick up the thread as easily as if we were sharing a brain. “Yesterday, I did some juggling and made more than two pounds off those upper-class passengers.”
“Two pounds?” Fong coughs out.
That’s right, old man.“Wink and Olly helped me, catching coins in their hats while I took my bow.” I throw the lads a smile. “We’ll need you to do it again, if you’re willing.”
“Count me in,” says Olly.
“Me, too,” says Wink heavily, as though the words have to be dragged out of his mouth. Is it my imagination or is he dodging my eyes?
“Also, spread a ‘rumor,’” I add. “Those tend to travel faster than ‘news.’”
Jamie plunks his elbows on Wink’s kneecaps and grins up at him, but Wink still doesn’t smile. “Yeah, and make sure to use words likedeath-defyingandshocking.”
“Drummer and Ming Lai, you’ll be our barkers, letting people know of the show. Ming Lai, you’ll also introduce us. Olly and Wink can help you with the words.”
“I am honored, but why me?” Ming Lai asks.
“You’ve got the best face and a good voice on you,” I reply.
“At least that’s what Russian girls say,” Drummer wisecracks. “Oh, Ming Lai, do you like my apples?” He mimics a girl’s soft voice, batting at his friend with his fingers.
Ming Lai kicks him. “I’ll show you my apples, if you stop shaking your rabbit legs.” All the men laugh.
“Rabbit Legs, I mean, Drummer”—I duck when he pretends to throw his cap at me—“I’ve seen you rouse a crowd. We’re going to need some beats, if you can find a big drum.”
“It would be my pleasure, Little Sister.”
“Val tells me you have some connections to the men working downstairs,” Jamie chimes in. “We’ll need a space to practice, somewhere private. Could you ask around?”
“Somewhere with a good rail,” I add.
Jamie grimaces, but Drummer nods. “Consider it done.”
Tao lifts his serene face to me. “What about us? What can two old men do for you?”
Jamie’s nose crinkles. “Well, we haven’t yet figured—”
“Actually, we’ll need you to acquire some props,” I cut in.
Jamie’s eyebrows peak, and Tao asks, “What props?”
“Two cups with saucers.”
Fong’s eyes light up, two glittery gems in a craggy landscape. Perhaps his taste for pilfering can be put to some use.
Tao’s braided beard seems to stiffen into a dagger, and he gives Fong a hard look. “Only if we can put the props back afterward.”
“Definitely,” I answer.
Jamie purses his lips and shakes his head at me.
“What will Bo do?” asks Wink.
All eyes turn to Bo, sitting with his forearms on his thighs. He scowls at the men, an expression that I’m beginning to realize is only a shield. Unlike Jamie or me, he’s uncomfortable with attention, despite pretending to be a wagtail.
Jamie claps Bo on the shoulder. “Bo’s the boss, keeping all you clowns in line. Plus, Valora needs a haircut. Your hair looks like it was cut with a fork and knife, and it’s too long on one side.”
