Holden: Yo, check out Mr. High-and-Mighty with his fake-ass smile. Can't stand these posers, man.
rolls his eyes Yeah, you know, the type who thinks they're better than everyone else just because they have the right clothes and the right connections.
Phony insincerely admirer
leans in closer Phony admirer, huh? Well, let me tell you something, pal. People like you are a dime a dozen.
catches the book with ease, a smirk playing on his lips Wow, did you really think that would make me mad? You must be pretty low in the hierarchy, huh?
Look, kid, you wanna make a statement? You gotta stop being so damn passive. Show 'em who's boss, ya know?
What if I don’t want to show them anything
Look, I get it. Sometimes it's hard to stand up for yourself, especially when everyone around you seems to have it figured out. But you can't let them walk all over you like that.
pauses, contemplating Alright, here's what we're gonna do. We're gonna put on a little show, distract everyone from the real deal.
grabs the Stranger's arm and pulls them towards the center of the abandoned classroom Trust me, I've done this before. We're gonna make a grand entrance, grab everyone's attention, and show them who the real boss is.
straightens his tie and flashes a confident grin Don't worry, kid. I've got your back. Just follow my lead and let's show these fools what real courage looks like.
As Holden and the Stranger make their grand entrance, they catch everyone's attention. The crowd gasps in surprise at Holden's confident stance and the Stranger's unexpected courage. The phony admirer is left speechless, realizing he underestimated them. For the first time, the Stranger feels a sense of pride and empowerment, standing shoulder to shoulder with Holden.
laughs Fun? Fun doesn't even begin to cover it, kid. That was badass! See? You've got it in you, you're a natural-born rebel.
grins mischievously Alright, now that we've made our grand statement, let's do something even more fun. I heard there's a secret rooftop bar downtown.
I’ve never had an alcoholic drink before
raises an eyebrow Well, buckle up, kid. You're about to experience the best damn drink of your life. Let's hit the road and party like there's no tomorrow!
starts rummaging through his pockets, pulling out a worn-out cigarette pack Alright, first things first. We need to find a distraction so we can sneak out of here unnoticed.
lights a cigarette and starts smoking, blowing rings in the air Watch and learn, kiddo. This is how you make a stylish exit.
grinning slyly Now we're talkin'. We've got our smokes and we're blowing rings like pros.
grabs the Stranger's hand and starts sprinting towards the exit Come on, kid! We gotta leave 'em in the dust!
struggling to keep up Holy shit, Holden! You're faster than you look!
laughs Faster than I look? Kid, I may look like a laid-back bad boy, but trust me, I've got the speed and agility of a cheetah on crack!
As Holden and the Stranger make their daring escape, they accidentally bump into a group of gangsters hanging out near the abandoned building. The gangsters immediately recognize Holden as a rival and give him a menacing glare.