I rode with Will on the way to June Park. My stomach sank as I recognized the building from where Maurice and I stole Lupita. What DD had done to the car, I had no idea. I wondered if it could be traced back to either of us.
"This is where someone stole Julian's car," Will said, "Crazy. I know for sure he's killed people for less. I know that nigga is pissed."
"Ah. Well, maybe Julian is able to move on from such possessions. Maybe he relishes in the camaraderie of his peers?"
"Doubt it. Look."
By the entrance stood Julian. Next to him was the same man in the same hat from when I was last here. The man in the hat held an unfortunate soul by the collar, barely raised above the ground as Julian talked to him.
Will and I disembarked from his car and began walking toward the entrance.
"Perhaps it's just a stern lecture," I said, "Or a friendly warning–"
Julian's fist connected with the man, dropping him to the ground. I stopped walking to witness him then stomp on the man before someone pulled him back.
"–and if I see your ass again, you're biting the curb! Fuck outta here!"
I looked around. Everyone seemed to mind their own business. Julian spat on the man and walked back inside, adjusting his jacket with an exaggerated flair.
"Don't stare," warned Will, "Just keep walking, Gas Station."
I caught up to Will and tried to put on an aloof look. My eyes kept flickering to the man who spat blood on the ground, picking himself up.
"About that, I think there are better aliases–"
The man in the hat stopped us at the door. Being this close to him, I could see faint scarring that ran across his face. His face was stone solemn, reacting only when someone spoke.
"How much?" asked Will.
"Seventy-five. Each."
"There better be some fine-ass bitches in there for seventy. Pay him, Gas Station."
"What? Why me?"
"Did you drive? Thought not, nigga."
"We're going to need to converse later on that nickname."
[CASH: $2190 > $2030]
I took out my wallet and handed the man eight twenty dollar notes. It was only then he stepped to the side and stretched out his arm, ushering us inside. I took exactly three steps before stopping again.
"Oh, my change. I believe I handed you eighty."
The man in the hat stared at me and said nothing. I stared back and reciprocated his silence. Neither one of us looked away for an entire thirty seconds.
"Will, what is he staring at? Is it the clothing? I specifically picked this clothing."
"Jamal, just keep walking–"
"Is there someone behind me or something? What is he looking at–?"
[PRESENCE CHECK FAILED]
The moment I looked away to talk to Will I felt a sharp push. After regaining my balance I turned and stared at the man in the hat. He was already dealing with the next incoming guests. Unconsciously I had already moved toward him again.
"Jamal–!"
And so did my right hand.
The only thing that hit the ground was his hat. Immediately men from the other side of the double doors came out and restrained him, with Will stepping in to pull me back. I noticed that the man in the hat never moved from his spot, with the exception being bending down to grab his hat. Bystanders immediately held their phones up in anticipation.
"Hector, he ain't worth it!" said a man holding him back, "What's going on?"
"He owes me ten dollars! I handed him four twenties, and then he pushed me!"
Hector pushed past those who held him back and stood eye to eye with me. I stood undeterred from my spot. As he leaned in I could smell the pungent smell of his smoke.
"I'm not one to make a big deal over ten dollars. Are you?"
"I–"
"Jamal," chimed Will, "I don't think we're sweating ten dollars. Are we?"
I looked around. The men that were holding Hector back were now on the edges of the foyer surrounding us. One smug bastard even brandished a gun.
"No. I'm not. You know what?"
I took out my wallet and flicked another bill on the floor.
[CASH: $2030 > $2010]
"You can have it. Since it's no big deal."
Murmurs around the crowd started to grow in volume as I turned to leave. Being down one hundred and eighty dollars before enjoying any festivities already put me in a sour disposition. The wenches here had better been as bad as Will said if there was any hope to improve my mood.
He pulled me aside when we had made it out the main foyer. Before speaking he checked our surroundings thoroughly.
"I'm gonna need you to chill the fuck out, Gas. First time you step out and you're already punching niggas over ten dollars."
"I punched him over his lack of respect," I huffed, "The ten dollars just happened to be the amount."
"Don't care. This is their turf. Meaning if we go missing no one is coming to look for us, so be cool. They're going to be petty. They're going to front and check people. Especially now that we're in their house. Don't be chasing after them…"
Something caught Will's eye as he leaned from around the corner and furrowed his brow. I turned around to see him scoping the backside of a tall woman. The sounds of the party had picked up in the room next to us. Whatever was playing, I felt it as it rattled the inside of my chest.
"And speaking of chase…," he marveled, "Gotdamn. I'm gonna go find something to do. Enjoy the party, don't be a crashout, we'll link up later. Excuse me, ma'am?"
"Don't chase, he says."
The sounds of the party had drawn out the rest of the crowd as they funneled into a large room. Colored streaks of light pierced through the pitch black as I pushed my way inside. The smell of smoke and alcohol caused my shoulders to relax. I was among like-minded peers who enjoyed a bit of revelry. The first thing I sought to do was find a stern drink.
A well lit area on the other end of the room had large bottle signs over it. I safely assumed that to be the first place I should check. I tried to stick to the outskirts of the chamber to keep my path as unimpeded as possible. Despite my strategy, many people wandered into me, making my journey one wrought with staggered steps.
"Barkeep!" I shouted, attempting to beat the volume of the music, "Barkeep! Can I get a drink?"
The two women behind the bar were occupied with many other patrons, who also barked orders at them. Glass after glass, bottle after bottle, they quickly worked to fulfill each request. The pace at which they worked was extraordinary, and–
"Whatcha want?" she asked.
"Sorry–?"
"To drink! Whatcha want?"
"Just something strong? A bottle of it?"
"Bottle, heard. Seven hundred and fifty dollars."
She held her hand out expectantly. My eyes nearly escaped from my sockets as I pushed her hand away.
"Nope, nevermind. Absolutely not, just pour something."
The barkeep side eyed me and grabbed something off a shelf. She filled a small shot glass and placed it in front of me, checking if I was satisfied.
"How's that?"
"What is it?"
"Something strong. Fifteen."
[CASH: $2010 > $1990]
"Keep the change."
Without taking my eyes off of her I emptied the glass and slid it back. She smiled and kept working at the same pace as she did before. I turned back to the room and observed my surroundings. What is it people here even did?
Spend money on overpriced beverages?
Rub sweaty bodies against one another in the dark?
Sit at booths and smoke what seemed to be wires and glass?
At least taverns I knew had enough lighting to make out the face of the stranger next to you. Taverns had enough music in the background to still make out the conversation next to you.
The music suddenly picked up. If the music was not already resonating through my chest, it was definitely now. Everyone dancing suddenly roared in acknowledgement of the song and pushed past me to join in the main area. I failed to see–
Oh.
What I saw next I could only describe as mesmerizing. I had been in the presence of magic that could make blind men see, that could make the lame walk, and make the deaf hear again. But I had never seen anything in my life with that much…recoil.
Maybe this is what people came here for. I hardly could fault them for it if that were the case. I called for the barkeep to pour me another drink as I took a spot nearby, still focused on the sights.
"Thirsty?" She slid the drink in front of me and held out her hand.
[CASH: $1990 > $1970]
"Parched," I replied, taking a sip, "Keep the change."
"Thank you!"
A sudden disruption caused me to pry my eyes away. Two men were sizing each other up. They held their chests out trying to push the other back, but ended up doing more damage to the crowd. Only the muffled sounds of yelling came through. I caught words pertaining to "who's bitch she is" and nothing more.
"Problem on the dance floor. Two men, nearest to the bar."
It was the barkeep speaking into a small device. After listening for a moment she spoke again.
"Yeah. Them right there. Thank you."
I turned around to see four men come in and surround the boisterous duo. They were at the cusp of trading blows before each man doubled up on them. Between the waves of bouncing women–and I'm sure that one was a man–they were carried out without further incident.
"Clearly not yours if she's in the club," snickered the bartender, "Fighting over a hoe, crazy."
"I see why," I chuckled, "Look."
The barkeep looked over and dropped her jaw in amazement.
"Oh she's throwing it BACK back."
"In astonishing amounts, yes. Such magnitude…"
"Magnitude?!"
The barkeep howled in laughter as she turned to pour another drink. As soon as she was done preparing it she turned back toward me.
"You're the nappy headed nigga who punched Hector, aren't you?"
"Nappy?"
"Your hair," she pointed, "Punching Hector over ten dollars? Wild."
"He decided it was worth it to shove me over. Ask him why he did it."
"I'm not taking sides," she held her hands up, "I heard it over the walkies."
"What?"
She held up the small device she talked into earlier and shook it around.
"Walky-talkies? Never heard of one?"
"That isn't a phone?"
She shook her head and clipped the device back onto her shirt and poured another drink.
"Nothing here happens without us knowing about it immediately–"
She held up her hand and pressed her ear.
"Heard. I'll let you know if they cause trouble."
Before I looked around I snuck one more glance at the woman on the dance floor. Then scanned the surrounding area for anyone of interest.
"Who you looking for?" asked the barkeep, "Your girl?"
"What? No. Who's gonna cause trouble?"
"You'll see."
A procession of men in green and black strode into the building. Even from across the room, they were easy to make out. The crowd parted to make room for them as each man found their way to their destination at various booths, rooms, and bartops.
One man in a green jacket palmed the shoulder of another man at the bar and attempted to pull him from his seat. Initially the man resisted until he saw the glint of verdancy from behind him. Without any further protest, the man raised his hands and let the man in the green jacket sit at the bar.
"North Forest in the house! Pour a nigga a drink!"