- Alex feels like a million bucks today. Okay, maybe not a million, but a few hundred at least.
- Peter hasn't forgotten about Alex's debt, however, and demands that he steal some medicine from a nearby chemist with Ivan and Kostia. Alex is reluctant, but he doesn't have any other choice.
- Ivan enters the shop first and puts on a big show browsing the merchandise. This catches the shopkeeper's attention really quickly.
- While the shopkeeper watches Ivan like a hawk, Alex quickly slips inside the store and stuffs "a fistful" of medicine into "each pocket" (6.18). They're out of there in seconds.
- Ivan is impressed with Alex's thievery skills. Likewise, Alex is impressed by Ivan's acting skills—it turns out that Ivan's entire family used to be circus performers before being kidnapped by the GPU.
- They return to the cellar, along with a host of other boys who have just finished their day's work, too. Peter even snagged a bowl of pudding. Sweet.
- Now that he knows that he's a pretty good thief, Alex kind of wants to stay. Before that can happen, Peter explains, he'll have to know all of their rules. And there are a lot of rules.
- First up is no drinking or drugs. Easy enough. There's also a strict ban on kids with syphilis and other contagious diseases. Okay, that makes sense. Finally, rule numero uno is that there should be no killing under any circumstances. You don't have to tell us twice, buddy.
- Apparently, the other gangs in the city aren't quite as chill. Alex sure lucked out, huh?
- The next day, Peter sends Alex out with Kostia and Ivan again—they'll be pulling a "knocker" (6.65) today… whatever that is
- The trio heads to a market. A tall woman with a fancy comb in her hair walks past, but not before Ivan snags it straight off her head.
- Immediately, Ivan runs alongside her and offers to sell her a beautiful new comb. The lady knows what's happened, but she gives him a few coins anyway to avoid the hassle.
- As it turns out, that wasn't a knocker; that was just a spur of the moment move by Ivan. Kostia explains that Alex's job will be to stand watch and whistle if a guard approaches.
- Alex waits as Ivan and Kostia disappear into an alley. As a wealthy woman passes, Kostia leaps out in front of her, causing her to slip and fall.
- Before she even gets up, Ivan has already run off with her bag; Alex and Kostia are close behind.
- They got a few coins, a bottle of perfume, and a handkerchief. Not too shabby.
- Afterwards, they head to the bread line, and Ivan tells Alex to save them a spot. He does just that, even earning a few extra coins by saving spots in line for other customers.
- Alex buys "two loaves" (6.86) and heads back the cellar. All things considered, this was a pretty excellent day.