“Now you’ve got it,” Riff was sharp. “But maybe them jokers don’t want to do it with fists. Maybe they go for bottles or knives, or even to cool us with heaters.”

Baby-John’s eyes became very wide. “You mean guns? Not that I’m afraid,” he added quickly, “but guns? Where’re we gonna get guns for everybody?”

“I’m just saying they might,” Riff explained. “I’m just saying that if that’s what they want, are we prepared to give it to them? I’m ready to finalize it anyway they want it. But I want to know your mood.”

Diesel and Action were on their feet, shouting that they were ready to go, go, go. Mouthpiece and Gee-Tar made carving gestures at each other’s faces. Big Deal stabbed at Snowboy to the heart, as Snowboy aimed a forefinger at A-Rab. They were playing at death, but ready for it; and as Action began to shout that he hadn’t carved anyone in a long time but hadn’t lost the knack, Baby-John’s lips began to tremble. He touched his ear and the feel of dried blood no longer made him brave.

“I say let’s fight them with fists, even with rocks,” Baby-John said, “but no knives or guns. We don’t have to fight the way greaseballs do.” He wondered if his fear were evident. “If we don’t fight them dirty and challenge them to fight us clean, that’ll prove they’re chicken if they don’t fight as clean. Won’t it?”

Diesel covered Baby-John’s face with the palm of his right hand and pushed the kid aside. “What do you say, Riff?”

“This street’s all we’ve got,” Riff said. “It ain’t much. You’d think nobody’d want it. But them PR’s got other ideas. Nobody, but nobody’s taking what’s mine.”

“You’re speaking for all of us,” Mouthpiece said.

By punching his right fist into his left palm, Riff acknowledged the backing of the Jets. “I want to hold our turf like we always did.” Again he smacked his right fist hard, and was pleased that some of the others imitated him. “But if they say switch blades, I’m ready to use mine. And if carving our name all over them is the only way they’ll get the message, this man is ready to deliver it.”

Big Deal’s laugh was loose and silly as he continued to make carving motions with both hands. Tiger disemboweled Snowboy, who clutched at his stomach as his knees melted under him. Action snapped his fingers so hard that it sounded like the rapid fire of a gun. Riff was pleased. The boys were behind him all the way. And as he cranked his right arm to imitate a whirling propeller. Baby-John began to run in circles and make bullet noises with his mouth.

“Okay,” Riff gestured for the Jets to simmer down. “Since we’re white and don’t believe in taking unfair advantage of the enemy, and seeing that no other way comes to mind. I’m gonna have us call on the Sharks to send their war council to meet our war council and decide on weapons. But I’m taking the challenge to Bernardo personally.”