“You know, those were the exact same words that came out of my cousin’s mouth when he gave my baby brother up to the feds. You’re so worried about your own selfish pride that you ain’t even thinking about how this affects the people around you. It’s because of ignorant-ass niggers like you and Slick that the ghetto is the ghetto. Y’all are so reckless wit’ ya shit that you probably killed an innocent man and the police are gonna be hot on your asses. Not to mention that Jah is still alive. Youz a sad muthafucka, Ralph, and I just pray that he doesn’t catch you before you make it out of town because Jah is surely gonna carve you up for what you’ve done. Get the fuck outta my house!”

Ralph was fuming, but he just nodded, took his stuff, and left. As he walked to the elevator, he got dizzy thinking how a woman he had loved for years had reduced him to nothing in a matter of seconds. He knew he was a lowlife shit for putting the finger on Jah to be hit, but his survival instincts kicked in, overriding his honor. New York was over for him.

After a few drinks and several dirty jokes, Rel had dropped his tough-guy persona and was having a good time with the cats from Big Dawg. They proved to be a group of cool cats who knew how to have a good time and didn’t mind spending paper. The DJ announced that China was about to take the stage, drawing the men’s attention. When Yoshi stepped out, Rel’s eyes went wide.

“Damn, pick your lip up, homey,” Pain teased.

“That’s a bad bitch up there,” Lex said, hungrily eyeing Yoshi.

“Fuck that slut,” Rel said.

“You know her or something?” Jay asked.

“Yeah, a li’l freak bitch from the hood,” Rel said, reclining in his seat, trying to look cool. “Me and one of my niggaz ran up in that not too long ago.”

“Get the fuck outta here,” Pain said, sitting up.

“True story, kid. Shorty is a prime freak, into all kind of crazy shit. She used to like me to get rough with her and act like I was taking the pussy,” Rel lied. “For a few dollars, she’ll even take it in her shit box.”

“Yo, our paper is crazy long!” Jay boasted.

“Since you know the bitch, why don’t you set it up?” Lex suggested.

“Yeah, I might be able to do that,” Rel said coolly.

“Well, get your ass up and go holla at the bitch, son,” Pain ordered.

“Nah, we can’t do it like that. She’ll get in trouble with the niggaz that own the club if they get wise to her turning tricks. When she gets done onstage, I’m gonna hit her on the jack and put it together.”