The Murky Fringe: You’ve been tossed how many times?
Gypsy Baby: In the 100s somewhere.
MF: Tossed at strangers.
GB: Yes, tourists mostly. At train stations.
MF: Tossed because when someone, some tourist catches you, he or she is stunned and therefore easier to rob.
GB: Yes.
MF: And then in the confusion, someone–another Gypsy–will “steal” you back for your mother.
GB: Well, you’re oversimplifying it, but yes. We call it toss-rob-retrieve.
MF: This sounds terrible.
GB: Which part of it?
MF: All of it. Tossing a baby to a stranger so you can rob him? It’s all terrible.
GB: First of all, we practice the tossing all the time. That’s old hat. As for robbing strangers, we Gypsies are not alone in this.
MF: But you’re the only ones who toss babies!
GB: You’re underestimating our skill in this department. In fact, I’ve been tossed over 1oo times and not once have I hit the ground. Not even in training. Do you know why that is?
MF: Why?
GB: Because humans catch babies. It doesn’t matter who the baby belongs to. This is a wonder of the human species.
MF: A wonder you exploit.
GB: We’ve all got to eat.
