Despite everyone"s best assurances that the attention was only temporary, six days later the sign was still headlining news reports across the country. People kept coming and, when they got to the square, they stayed. Less than a week after the fireworks display, a transient community had formed, peopled by war protesters, gawkers and food vendors. Almost overnight, the citizens of Cranston were marginalized and, sitting on the bench outside the barbershop taking in the scene, Harlan decided he hated the hotdog vendors most of all.
“How d"you suppose they got here?” he mumbled.
Ted didn"t look up from the Sun-Times when he answered. “Came in on a truck from Austin about two days ago.”
Harlan spat onto the sidewalk. “Vultures.”
“Hm?”
Harlan pointed to the vendor. “Damned hotdog vendors
