章 32: Chapter 32: Vintner's Reply

"You what?" Vintner asked. He heard Jim perfectly but didn't believe the words. He wanted to make Jim repeat himself. 

"I want to help," Jim said again, this time with more confidence. Vintner stared at him. Jim stood up from his chair and walked halfway across the room. He stopped there for a second and then he walked over the window so that he could draw the curtains and let more light in. Then he came back to the table and sat down again. Jim felt better with the curtains open. The room felt less dreary with the addition of sunlight. Vintner had been quiet for a long time. Jim watched him, trying to get a read on what was going in Vintner's head. Jim looked out the window. From Vintner's window, Jim had a clear view of the downtown Manhattan skyline. He could see dozens of tall skyscrapers, each one full of people. Jim stared blankly out the window, trying to gain strength from the light, the image of the buildings full of people barely registering with him.