All his life Reggie had wanted people to look up to him. At last they had a legitimate reason. Now when he walks down the street, past the supermarket he robbed more than once and the ice cream stand where he worked until he was caught stealing, people stop to shake his hand and slap him on the back and wish him well. Those passing in cars recognize him and honk their horns or wave to him out their windows. He is a symbol even amidst all that squalor. He made it, he's a success.