“Damn, I meant to hit you and let you know what happened, Jah. Don’t you know, ya boy got a ticket for pissing in the street. Fucking police made me pay a hundred-and-fifty-dollar fine for that shit, son. I was tight.”

“Word?” Jah said, clearly not believing a word Ralph said. “I know how these dicks can be wit’ them tickets, fam, but ya ticket ain’t got nothing to do with what I asked you.”

“I’m gonna pay you, but I ain’t got it right now. That ticket put me behind.”

“Come on, Ralph, a buck fifty ain’t nothing to a baller like you. My nigga out here getting money,” Spooky added.

Ralph shot Spooky a contemptuous look, but didn’t say anything. “Yo, as soon as I finish my shift, I’m gonna come see you with that,” he said to Jah.

“Ralph, you told me the same thing when you ass betted me for the hundred dollars in the first place, then I didn’t see you for two weeks. I ain’t got time to chase you, duke. Just give me mine so I can get up outta here.”

Over Jah’s shoulder, Ralph spotted Slick approaching. Seeing his employer helped to build his confidence and changed the whole way he was coming at Jah. “Fam, I told you I ain’t got it right now. I’ll bring ya bread through later. Why you stressing me over a little hundred cash anyway?”

Jah looked over at Spooky, who was wearing the same puzzled look that he was. When he spoke to Ralph, his words were calm and even, but the fire that burned in his eyes made Ralph cringe. “Dawg, I’m not really feeling the way you’re coming at me right now. You trying to be tough or something?”

Ralph sucked his teeth before answering. “Yo, come on, man, I ain’t trying to get into it with you over no petty-ass hundred dollars. I’m on my grind right now, so I’ll drop it to you later.”

Jah’s face suddenly became very peaceful. “Okay, I’ll see you later then.”