Making Bank

Old Friends, Old Problems

Alex Winslow kicks an empty Pepsi can off of the sidewalk, and into the bustling streets of Peace City, New York. The can is immediately smashed flat to the concrete by a passing vehicle. Alex sighs and continues walking. He adjusts his leather jacket. It's been a cold month of March, so far. He pulls out a pack of cigarettes and lights one up, blowing out a puff of smoke.

"That's much better," he thinks to himself. He pulls his black beanie tighter on his head, ensuring that it covers his ears.

"Alex? Alex Winslow? Is that you?" Alex turns around to see where the voice came from. He sees a familiar black man, about his age, jogging towards him. "Holy shit man, it's been forever!" He extends his arm for a handshake.

"La-Lamar? Lamar Houston?" Alex shook his hand, and was pulled in for a brotherly hug and pat on the back.

"You were my nigga back in South Peace High! How the hell ya been? What's it been, like, six years?"

"Almost seven," Alex replies. He drops his cigarette and puts out the flame with his foot. "What are you doing here? I thought you were moving to Cali?"

"Shit dude, Cali's full of hamster ass niggas and fags. That shit was not for me."

"Sorry to hear that."

"Yeah, well what've you been up to? Fine ass wife? Kids?"

"No luck," Alex sighs. "I've been lookin' but haven't found anyone."

"Shit nigga, that's a shame. Hey, I know this underground strip club you can go to, if you's interested. If you pay for a private dance, you can touch, and if she really likes you, she'll hop on your dick and give you the ride of your life."

"That's not really my thing, Lamar. Even if it was, I don't have that kind of money."

"The fuck? You ain't stacking?"

"Do you see what I'm wearing? I got all of these clothes on clearance at Wal-Mart, this whole outfit is maybe forty dollars total."

"Yo, you gotta see somethin'," Lamar takes off his backpack and opens up the middle pocket. He reaches in, grabs out a thick stack of hundreds, and tosses it to Alex."

"Holy shit, how much is this?" Alex asks, flipping through all of the bills."

"Ten grand. It's yours, keep it."

"Lamar, I-I can't just take this. How did you even-"

"It's all about game, nigga."

"The game? What are you-?"

"Follow me," Lamar looks to make sure nobody is watching, and grab's Alex's arm. He brings him into an alleyway. "How much do you make in a year?"

"I don't think I should-"

"Alex. Where do you work."

"I've been working at KFC for-"

"Okay so minimum wage, is that what they pay you? Let's see then, you making $9 an hour, 40 hours is $360 a week, so about $720 a paycheck, before tax? Does that sound about right?"

"It's really none of your business how much I make."

"Pull your head out of your fuckin' ass, Alex. You're dirt broke, and that's why there ain't no bitches tryna fuck with you. But look, I get laid on the fuckin' daily, and you wanna know why?"

"I-"

"It's because I stick people up. I rob convenience stores, shoot hamster ass niggas, I blackmail, I'm basically top of the fuckin' food chain around here. Ain't nobody tryna fuck with me, but you can bet I got a shit ton of hoes tryna fuck me. For real my nigga, you should join me. Go buy yourself a piece from this nigga Clarence. He lives off 88th and Alpha. He runs his business out of his purple car in the alleyway next to his house. Just knock on his door, and tell him Lamar sent you. I'm texting that nigga now that you's on ya way. Just don't be squirrely, he ain't gonna hurt you unless you act like a fuckin' bitch. Oh, and quit your job, you aren't gonna work another day in your life. You're the first step we needed to forming a crew. Some day, our crew will be making serious fuckin' bank. We could even take on the bank off 45th and Washington."

"Peace City Bank? No way, man."

"Yes way, and you're the first step to doing it. Now go see Clarence, and don't you fuckin' let me get a call from him sayin' you never showed up. You're in the game now." Lamar shook his hand one last time, then walked back to the streets.

Alex took his pack of cigarettes out and lit one up, blowing out a cloud of smoke. "What the fuck have I gotten myself into?" he asks himself under his breath. He sits against the wall and takes another hit from his cigarette.