Chapter One Summary

Harry Goldfarb locks his mother, Sara Goldfarb, in her closet as he prepares to steal her television set. Sara returns to the closet even after she has been released and Harry doesn't understand why until he grabs the television and it is chained to the radiator. Harry threatens her and her home and eventually she slides the key under the door. Sara refuses to emerge and listens as he rolls the television out of the door.

Harry, his partner,Tyrone C. Love, and Sara's TV are a common sight for Mr. Rabinowitz and he shakes his head as they enter his pawn shop. Harry and Tyrone decide to buy drugs from one of Tyrone's connections named Brody with the TV money. The exchange of drugs and money was going to take place in a predominantly Black area and no one would...