BAD MOON RISING

Chapter One Charlie

1C

A/N: The scene concludes in this chapter.

All suggestions of lunacy instantly fell away from Silvers. He dropped the knife onto the counter and reached out a hand to Wes, speaking with unaccustomed respect.

"And I'm sorry too Mr. Chandler. We should never have let our differences bring us to violence. Here... let me help you up. Now what were you sayin' about bein' under pressure and me havin' to sell more shit."

Wes took hold of the proffered hand, not understanding the sudden change in the boy from lunacy to normalcy. He remained on his guard, ready for a sudden, backward change in the boy. The hotelier crept gingerly behind the counter, keeping it between him and Silvers, tossing the offending letter opener into a drawer and slamming it shut. Silvers waited patiently while the man caught his breath and recovered his composure. Wes watched Silvers closely through slitted eyes, unsure of what to make of the boy; anxious to be rid of him for good, but knowing he needed the boy to sell his drugs in the college. After several seconds he sniffed.

"I'm under pressure to sell more and that means I'm asking you to sell more, please. They don't believe we're trying. I had the boss man here only last night. He said they're using statistics now and according to them statistics based on all schools and colleges in the country, we should be selling thirty per cent more'n what we are. It don't help none you coming in here tonight bringing shit back that should've been sold when we gotta sell it all and a third as much again."

Silvers face remained serious. "I am sorry to hear you are under that sort o' pressure Mr. Chandler. I really do wish I could do more. I mean to say, I earn more if I can sell more an' I sure could use the cash. Plain fact is there's a new operator opened up..."

"What's that you say," Chandler grasped the boy's sleeve, "A new operator, here in Bamptonville?"

With polite gentleness, Silvers removed the man's hand from his coat sleeve, noticing the fear in the man's eyes and the sharpness of his breathing.

"That's right sir. There's a new operator and he's selling good stuff at a better price than we are. Ours has been cut back too many times, it's weak and the price is high. The new guy's taking over our business and he's got plenty of product too. We don't stand a chance against him unless I do it fer the guys on credit." Silvers dropped his gaze to suit the humbleness of his tone. "That's why I ain't got all the cash for you fer the stuff I sold either. Some of the guys are still waitin' fer their allowance to come through. I'm sorry, Mr. Chandler."

Wes exhaled as if it was his last breath and dropped heavily onto the stool. The shock of what he heard melded with the fear beating in his breast, showing in his face as a waxen death mask.

"Who... who is this new guy. Do we know who he is?"

A novel idea for exacting his revenge on Jess came into Silvers head. 

"Well sir, why else would somebody booked into a motel room be awake at this time of the night."

Chandler's jaw dropped and he half rose from the stool, pointing a trembling finger in the direction of the chalets.

"Do you mean him...Mitchell?"

Silvers beamed a smile. "Who else."

Wes rose to his full height, shaking his head.

"But he's only been here for a few days. How can he get it to the kids in the college?"

Silvers slapped his hands across his chest.

"That's easy. He's got his very own bum-boy here to do that for him. Don't you remember, you saw 'em at it with yer own eyes."

Wes stood numb and silent, rubbing his chin in deep thought.

"I did so, and I don't need wider blinds to see what I saw like he said I do neither."

Silvers shuffled from one foot to the next.

"I'm sorry about that earlier Mr. Chandler. I really do have to get back into the schoolhouse before I'm missed. I gotta get going before it gets light." He picked up the paper bundles he had dropped onto the counter earlier, returning them to his pocket.

"I'll pay you what I owe just as soon as I can Mr. Chandler and I'll take these others along to try an' sell also. Is that okay with you."

"Yes... yes... that's okay. Bring it soon as you can. ...Mitchell, and the White boy, they're a team, now it all makes sense what he's up to."

A/N:  Hope you enjoyed the scene and the latest knife twist into Greg Mitchell. 

Normally I would have posted this scene in a  single chapter instead of splitting it up, but I received advice that most readers like their stories in smaller 'chunks'. I would be grateful for your opinion on that - and for your feedback and votes on the story. Nothing is more encouraging to a writer than feedback from readers.  Hope you enjoy the ongoing tale.