The Crossing

Manny is used to working quickly and living on the run from the street vultures and the bigger boys who will steal from him when a tourist gives him money. No one will take care of him if gets sick or weak from starvation. He often goes to the market to beg for money, and over time, has discovered that the stall owners at the market will give him food in exchange for work. Manny learns to help at opportune moments, doing small tasks like keeping flies off the food and picking up trash. Today, Manny gets a few vegetables and a chunk of goat cheese for his strategic efforts. As he sits down to eat, he spots Robert walking toward the Rio Brava Hotel. Instead of taking caution as he normally would, Manny walks directly to the hotel to find the sergeant.

Manny pursues Robert because he hopes to get money from him; since Robert did not accuse him of stealing his wallet in front of the police, Manny thinks he may be a generous man. Robert sits in the hotel café and notices Manny’s presence. He recognizes Manny but takes a moment to realize where he has seen him before, and wonders if it was Robert who saw him, or the sergeant (i.