No-No Boy

Ichiro contemplates establishing a new life for himself in Portland. To that end, he goes about looking for a job. He inquiries about an available position at a local hotel but is put off by the application which requires information about his recent past. Though he feels discouraged, he decides to pursue an ad for a drafting job. He goes to an office owned by a stout, convivial man named Mr. Carrick, who tells Ichiro that he was disgusted by the Japanese internment, that he wants America to be a better place. To Ichiro’s surprise, Mr. Carrick offers him the job right then and there. To Mr. Carrick’s surprise, Ichiro doesnot accept but says he needs to think about it. Ichiro tells Mr. Carrick about his refusal to serve in the military. Mr. Carrick’s warmth doesnot fade. As he leaves the office, Ichiro thinks about what means to be American and feels again that there might be a chance for him to be accepted and find a place. He decides he cannot in good conscience completely separate himself from his family so he writes a note to Mr. Carrick saying he cannot accept the job.