The Rainmaker

Rudy travels around the city searching for a job. He always speaks to the law firm’s secretary first, because “it’s standard procedure. No lawyer in the world will admit or have his secretary admit that he is anything less than swamped” (81). At one office, Rudy finally speaks with someone, rather than just dropping off his application, but the conversation doesn’t go anywhere and he has to leave emptyhanded. Madeline Skinner fights hard for Rudy, but the only prospect she can find him work for the Shelby County Welfare Department. 

Rudy plans to file for bankruptcy. At the courthouse where he goes to pay the processing fee, he runs into lawyers looking for clients. One lawyer offers to do all the work and filing for $200. Rudy hopes he never finds himself soliciting work in such a manner. Rudy leaves and goes to visit the Blacks.

The Blacks live in a section of Memphis that used to be the suburbs after World War II. Dot eyes him warily. Rudy tells her he wants to talk to her about her case. She lets him in and they engage in small talk; Buddy, who likes to sit in his old car all day and sip gin, doesn’t want to come in. Donny Ray is in bed. Rudy isn’t ready to meet him yet. Rudy tells Dot that even though he is young and inexperienced, he would like to handle the case for her. He proposes a deal: She doesn’t pay for anything, but he will receive one-third of the settlement award. If they lose, then Dot still won’t pay anything.

Rudy visits Miss Birdie again. He buys her a potted plant, which makes her smile. They sit on the patio and sip ice water. Rudy notices an apartment above the garage. He asks Birdie if she would rent it out to him, and she likes the idea. Birdie leads Rudy up the stairs to show him the apartment.

Someone posts copies of Rudy’s bankruptcy filing all over school. He laments how the competitiveness of law school creates enemies. He speaks with Max Leuberg again, who thinks the Blacks have a good case and encourages Rudy to work on it, under the supervision of a licensed lawyer. He also tells Rudy to give him a call if he needs any help.

Rudy strikes a deal with Birdie about renting the garage apartment. He will pay $150 a month, including utilities, and Miss Birdie will supply him with more than enough of her old furniture. In return, Rudy will help her in the garden. She has him pulls weeds right from the start. He pulls weeds until he has to go to work at Yogi’s.

At work, Rudy works behind the bar. Prince and a lawyer friend of his, Bruiser, watch television and make friendly wagers. Rudy briefly toys with the idea of working for Bruiser, but Bruiser, who gets Prince out of most of his legal jams, is even shadier than Prince. Rudy shivers at the thought of having to work for someone like Bruiser.

Back at the senior citizens center, Rudy talks to Birdie. Her will remains unfinished. She considers not leaving the money to the televangelist because he hasn’t contacted her in a while. Rudy has tried to find out more about Birdie’s estate, but hasn’t come up with much information. She tells Rudy that her money is in a trust fund in Atlanta, and nothing more. Nearby, Booker tries not to get in an argument with his client.

Rudy continues looking for work. He’s at a place that specializes in personal injury; for most lawyers, personal injury cases are the best way to make quick money. Rudy has seen the firm’s ads and isn’t impressed. He doesn’t like applying to work for them, but he also doesn’t have many options.