When the narrator was walking, he saw an old friend who worked for the same group he was illegally selling toys for, and the authorities were able to see what Clifton was doing. Since what Clifton was doing was illegal, the authorities tried to catch him, but Clifton started running and pushed the authorities' buttons, then the narrator describes the cruel situation he just witnessed: "He is fell to his knees, like a man saying his prayers just as a portly man in a pulled-down brim hat emerged from the newsstand and shouted a protest. I couldn't move. The sun seemed to be screaming just a few inches above my head. someone shouted. A few men were going out into the street. The cop was now standing and looking at Clifton as if surprised, gun in hand” (Ellison 436). After Clifton was shot, the narrator wanted to help his friend; however, he was not allowed to do so, which affected him. Not only was this scene brutal to witness, but seeing someone you knew die in front of you is even worse. The police officers did not allow the narrator to try to do anything to save his friend's life, which caused a big scene. Being in this situation can make people feel guilty for not being able to do anything because the narrator actually had the chance to try to help someone who was close to him, Clifton, but he didn't have one. been authorized.