No one disagreed with Riff, because as leader of the Jets this was one of his major responsibilities—probably the most important.

“But you gotta take a lieutenant,” Snowboy suggested.

Action pushed Gee-Tar and Mouthpiece aside. “That’s me, Riff.”

“That’s Tony,” Riff contradicted Action. If Action hadn’t said anything, Riff would have chosen him to go along. But Action had to be shown he wasn’t the boss. “I’ll go talk to him right now.”

“Just a sec,” Action blocked Riff. “Who needs Tony? I’m not for brown-nosing anybody. He walked out on us, so let’s not turn him around.”

Riff was deliberately patient, another characteristic of leadership. “We need every man we can get against the Sharks.”

“Didn’t you hear me, Riff?” Action continued to shake his head. “Or wasn’t Tony speaking loud enough when he said goodbye?”

“Cut it, Action-boy,” Riff said. “Don’t tell me you’ve forgot that Tony and me, we started the Jets.”

There was no disputing this fact and Action saw that he lacked active support. True, some of the boys felt as he did about Tony—goddamn hunkie—who just took off without any reason other than something about his old lady. But Riff was leader and fact was fact; Tony had started the Jets.

“Well, he acts like he’s too good for us,” Action continued to argue. “And if that’s the way he feels, I wouldn’t ask him if it meant saving my life.”

“The Jets count more than any of us,” Riff said. “That’s one thing Tony will see.”

“You’re right,” Baby-John said after he had made certain that he was far enough away from anyone so that getting pushed in the kisser wouldn’t be his answer. “Tony’s like the rest of us. He’s proud of being a Jet.”

Action spit at Baby-John. “Tony hasn’t been around for more’n three-four months.”

“What about the day we clobbered the Emeralds?” Snowboy asked.

“Yeah,” A-Rab nodded. “We couldn’t have done that without the Polish Panther.”

Baby-John rubbed the back of his neck. “He saved this for me, all right.”

“It’s settled,” Riff said to end the debate. “Tony goes with me to see Bernardo. He never walked out on any of us,” he challenged Action, “and he feels about this turf like we do. I can guarantee that. Now, Action, any more questions?”

“Yeah,” Action said. “When’re you gonna get rollin’? I don’t believe in letting PR’s grow old peacefully.”

“Which brings up a real question,” A-Rab spoke loudly to get the attention of everyone. “Where’re you gonna find Bernardo?” He stood on tiptoe, with his hand over his brow and searched for the leader of the Sharks. “I’ve got a report. I don’t see him or,” he sniffed, “smell’m.”

“Simple,” Riff sing-songed as he did a simple time step. “There’s a dance at the center tonight. Right?”

“Right,” the Jets chorused. “So we bite…”

“… the Sharks,” Riff picked up the patter. “Bernardo thinks he’s quite a stepper, so he’ll be there. And we’ll be there with all our…”