Lenny The Leader?

That night we assembled a big Hoover-bonfire, gathering metal trash cans, packing them neatly squared together, and burning whatever junk was within. It smelled awful, but it was warm and comfortable nonetheless. Lenny was playing alongside Micheal, an old black man who wouldn't be hired because of his skin color.
"We're pretty good, aint we, Mike? We could start a band!" Lenny joked. His eyes bulged. "We could start a band! We could get all sorts of money!" He looked at Micheal expectingly. Micheal chuckled. "By ourselves?" He set his banjo down. Lenny's crazy ideas were always worth a listen, even if just to laugh at them.
Lenny thought for a minute. "Who else around here's a good musician?"
Silence.
"Oh. Well..."
Micheal thought about it for a minute. "Street performers are making alot more money ever since the Depression began. Im sure if we taught some kid to play rhythm behind us, we could get ourselves some spare change."
Lenny's eyes lit up. "Yeah! We could even play somewhere! Maybe a bar or something.. but how would we get them instruments?"
"I could make banjos," Micheal offered, "I made this one, after all." He pointed to the banjo he used, a torn drum-head nailed to a splintery stick.
"what would you need?"
He thought about it for a moment, "Oh, well.. a banjo, you can make from anything, really. A good one.. I'd need a tambourine, wire strings, and some wood. But if you wanna make a band, it'll have to be made of better quality stuff than we can afford."
"Well, I hear River's pretty good at 'purchasing' things, in't that right?" he turned to me to ask if I could get him supplies.  I shrugged and nodded. "Probably."
"Well it's settled then! We make a band, play at bars and clubs, and buy food for all of us!"
"Wait a second, Lenny." Micheal reminded. "What makes you so sure this... band, if we can make one at all, will get us a red cent? We need more than one plan."
Lenny sighed. "Right. I got ahead of myself... I don't know. Last time River came back, he fed us all for nearly 2 weeks. That's gotta help."
I looked at him worried.
"River's stealing isn't a stable source of money, though! No offense, River."
I shrugged. I knew I couldn't be the breadwinner forever. Didn't really want to be.
Lenny sighed deeply, and muttered quietly, " I don't know what to do. I can't help them like they expect me to.. Why do people suddenly think I can just solve everything?" He added frustratedly,  "Isn't that the mayor's job?"
Welcome to my world. I smirked.
"The mayor can't do everything by himself," Micheal said softly. "He needs an idealist, someone young like you, and smart like you." Lenny smiled humbly, nearly blushing. Micheal laughed, and added, "well.. and, you sortof dug that pit for yourself when you started, uh.. shooting guns and yelling and telling everyone you would fix nearly every problem they've ever had. Not a good move for someone who doesn't want to take charge."
  Lenny groaned. "Why can't I ever learn to shut up sometimes." He turned to me. "Speaking isn't all it's cracked up to be; If you're mute you can't screw yourself over saying stupid stuff." He muttered quietly
I pointed to the people and made a smiling gesture, as if to say "You at least gave them hope."
Lenny stared at the massive crowd of ragged people moving and talking, going without food or drink, but still clearly enjoying themselves, with a sort of hopeful aura, as if they had seen a vision of things getting better.
"I guess I did.."

Author's Note

I wrote this chapter mostly trying to make sure the tension i just made doesn't go out of hand, and maybe introduce Lenny as an important character. I definitely hope he didnt sound whiny at the end, I want him to express his legitimate concerns about everyone suddenly putting their faith in him (Which I know i need to show better but idk how). As usual, please rate and give your comment, I would love hearing my readers' opinions.

Reviews

[Alex Carter]

I am quickly coming to love River's character. He says so much without saying a word and that is awesome. I think this is a great intermediary chalter that will segue into more action. Even though this is a relaxing scene I don't think it takes away from the tension at all. If anything it increases the mystery of what crazy idea Lenny will come up with next. Loved it!