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“I saw the SuperShell in the back. What’s she 5 up with the PoleFace TM section on the daily
5
wear, medium or large?” breakdown each day this weekend? It’s not
“Large,” I say, opening both eyes. Lance or Michel, that’s for sure. It’s not the new
There’s contest: whoever has the most sales kid, Duo, either. I look across to denim where
gets to take home any coat in the store. When Duo is pacing back and forth making sure his
Richard asked me what I was going to do if I won, piles are neat and folded. He’s a pretty good
I told him that when I won I was going to give one kid. Sometimes he’ll actually ask to help with
of the SuperShell parkas to my mother. Richard shipments. He wears a T-shirt and skinny jeans
Redefining America
frowned but said that was honorable. I said like most of our customers his age. Angela
that, yeah, it was. The SuperShells are the most tells him to watch me, to learn from me. She
expensive coats we have this season: down-filled says he’s my heir apparent. I like him, but he’s
lofted exterior with a water-repellent finish, zip not like me. He can sound honest, he knows
vents to keep the thing breathable, elastic hem plus how to see what people want, but he can’t do
faux fur on the hood for a luxurious touch. I know what I can do. Not on Black Friday. But he’ll
Richard would have me choose literally anything survive denim.
else. That’s half of why I chose it. I set it aside in the Michel and Lance cover shoes and graphic
back. It’s the only large we’ve got due to a shipment tees. Michel and Lance might as well be anybody
glitch. Nobody will touch it because I’m me. else. Lance is working the broom.
Most of the Friday heads are here for the There’s a grind and a metallic rumble. 10
PoleFace TM stuff. And whose name is lined Angela is in the front. She’s pushed the button

© Nathan Fox

This illustration by Nathan Fox accompanied “Friday Black” when it was first published in Esquire
magazine. While it is not a literal illustration of the story’s action or characters, it does recreate the chaos.
What style elements that enable us to see and feel the chaos of the events that take place in
“Friday Black”? How do those elements echo the language choices Adjei-Brenyah makes?
54
Copyright © 2021 by Bedford, Freeman & Worth High School Publishers. Uncorrected proofs have been used in this sample chapter.
Distributed by by Bedford, Freeman & Worth High School Publishers. Strictly for use with its products. Not for redistribution.

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