Marcus

Marcus is a slumlord with authority over a portion of the Annex. We see some of his goons shaking down a vendor as Ricky prepares for work. The goons threaten the summer with a visit from Abarth if they do not pay on time. If we can assume their arm-twisting comes from the top, Marcus is cruelly inflexible in his demands. Ricky says,

“Even if we play the game, we lose. The slumlords see to that. Things have been worse lately, but most here… tell themselves the shakedowns have always been this bad and they’ve always been this hungry.”

According to Ricky, these “Lowtown fatcats” are the culprits behind the slummers’ hunger and poverty, though when Holman fires Ricky he suggests looking for work under one of the slumlords, saying they aren’t his greatest threat.

When Hank the Hangman asks what his pamphlet is about, Ricky names the slumlords, the wall, and the Institution as the targets of a strengthening revolutionary sentiment…. but the slumlords he names first.

Ricky, under the impression that Hank is Abarth, offers to cover his neighborhood’s dues to Marcus. Hank seems pleased to have these names confirmed.

 
 
 

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