by King Coopa J
Twenty and John Kim made it back to their cell in a hurry without any problems. They heard the prison alarm sound and the voice over the intercom telling all of the prisoners to get in their cells immediately.
Twenty closed the cell bars before he turned to John. “I think it’s about time to tell me why you’re here?”
“Murder,” John muttered. He looked at Twenty. He remained silent. John continued. “Five guys broke into my house one day when I wasn’t home. I came home and noticed the door had been kicked in. I heard my wife screaming from the bedroom. I hurried up the steps to the room where I found my wife being raped while the other men held her down. She was beautiful and innocent. She never did any wrong to anybody. I attacked them all. I blacked out and when I could finally think straight. I was in handcuffs. Five murders, all from broken necks. I didn’t find that out until a week later. The Judge gave me some sympathy and sentenced me to 25 years. I have ten more to go. Then my wife and I can be together again.”
“Touching story.” Twenty sat on his bed. “All broken necks huh. I don’t have any problem with being in the same cell with you. You handled your business back there with the bikers. You didn’t have to help me out, but you did. I don’t appreciate that.” John looked at him confused. “You not telling me you knew karate. You deadly muthafucka.” Twenty smiled. “You could’ve torn off in my ass up in here. You know how long I’ve wanted to learn that shit.”
John stood up and smiled back at him. “That means I have ten years to teach you.” John held his hand out.
“Long as I know how to break five necks in one room. I won’t waste your time.” Twenty smiled and shook hands with John. His new friend.
The next morning guards came to the cell. They grabbed John and hauled him out of the room cuffed and then gave Twenty the exact treatment. The guards dropped him off in a room by himself.
Ten minutes later a man in a suit came into the room and sat across from Twenty. He had a file in his hand and a cup of hot coffee. He crossed his legs and stared him down for five minutes without speaking. Then he fired up a cigarette. “Smoke?” He offered Twenty.
Twenty had met his stare the entire time not breaking one drop of sweat. “Never have. It’ll kill you.” He smirked arrogantly.
“That’s exactly what I’m here to talk about.” He blew smoke in his face nonchalantly trying to piss him off. “What happened in the shower?”
The smoke didn’t bother him. “Don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Don’t fuck around with me. The biker who was killed in the showers?”
“Oh yeah, him. Somebody told me he dropped the soap. When he bent over somebody stuck a dick in him. It killed him. A guy ran out of the shower passed me. If I was a good guesser. I would say that guy physically resembled you in the face.”
The officer immediately punched Twenty in the mouth.
Twenty ate the violent punch. “That would be for keeping me from telling on your punk ass, huh?” He spat blood in his face. The officer rushed him again and Twenty caught him with a headbutt. The other guards rushed in and they punished him while he was still chained to the table. Another two months in the hole. He found out John caught two months for not snitching. They returned to their cell two months later and began Twenty’s training.
Lifted
10yrs. Later, El’ Nino
Thelimousine of the biggest cartel in Georgia pulled up to a Mexican restaurant on Jimmy Carter off highway 85. The driver got out of the limo and surveyed the scene. He then came around to open the door for the massive bodyguard named Nacho. Nacho is the hugest Mexican killing machine around. He won the job for guarding El’ Nino with his life by killing an alligator with his bare hands in a pit fight.
Nacho stepped out the limo and surveyed the area himself. He scanned every little detail around. Not even a fly was allowed to land on El’ Nino without dying. Nacho adjusted his suit jacket where his 9mm was holstered. He waved the driver off. “It’s clear boss.” He stood next to the vehicle while El’ Nino emerged from the limo.
El’ Nino stepped from his limo. His $5,000 tailored suit made him look like a celebrity. He flipped his suit jacket closed before fastening the middle button. “Good job Nacho.” He led the way in his restaurant.
They entered the restaurant and the host immediately recognized El’ Nino and greeted him. Completely stopping whatever he was doing to respect his presence. Nacho knew everyone in the restaurant recognized El’ Nino. Everyone wanted to speak and greet him. There were too many faces for him. Nacho paved to way to the back office.
El’ Nino settled in his office. His private waitress brought him a Cuban cigar and a rare glass of Henri IV Dudognon Heritage Cognac. “Nacho, how are we looking with the list?” The waitress cut the end of the cigar for him and lit it. He blew out a puff of smoke.
Nacho stood by the desk. “The list is complete. The buyers have picked the vehicles they desired and are ready for delivery.” The waitress offered him a drink and he waved her off. Drinking on the job was not an option. He had to be ready at all times.
El’ Nino took a sip of cognac. “We have somebody to handle the job for us?”
“Nobody yet,” Nacho closed his suit jacket. “Nobody we’ve interviewed has been qualified.”
El’ Nino blew out smoke thinking about the job he had to get completed. He had less than three weeks to get the job done. He needed to dig deep into his resources. He needed the best. The best person money could buy. The best car thief known to man. That’s how El’ Nino rolled. Always desiring the best at whatever needed to be done. “What about this guy I heard about, Twenty. Why isn’t he available for my services?” he blew smoke from the very tasteful Cuban cigar.
“No one has heard from that guy in ten years Boss.” Nacho elaborated. “They say ten years ago, he was set up. He was the best around. They thought this guy Twenty couldn’t be caught. The day the Feds brought him down. It was all over the news. They caught the guy at an antique dealership in Atlanta. Pure setup.”
“That’s interesting.” El’ Nino took another sip. “Why would The Spokesman suggest his name? If the guy is in the system what good is he to me?”
“Don’t know Boss.” Nacho replied.” If The Spokesman suggested him, he must be the best. Maybe he is getting out soon? The Spokesman never lets us down when it comes to valuable information. Maybe this is the only guy suitable for the job?”
“There must be someone else who is suitable?” Nacho took the cigar from his mouth. “I don’t have any time to wait for anyone man in the system. My goal is to get these vehicles soon as possible for my buyers without any mistakes. There’s too much money on the line here. We surely wasted too much time already. We must act now. Get me The Spokesman on the phone immediately.”
“Yes, Boss.” Nacho began rolling through the contact list on the desk.
El’ Nino turned his office chair around to face out his large window. He pushed the button on his office remote control. Large curtains in the room separated slowly revealing the city. Every time something was on his mind. This was the best way for him to think. He blew smoke in ring puffs. Thinking about why would The Spokesman suggest a man for an exclusive job as this one? Who is no longer accessible? Who is in the system? El’ Nino recalled the day the news broadcasted Twenty’s arrest. That was the same day he killed his boss and took over.
“Boss, he’s on the line.”
Lifted
Departed
Twentyand John Kim made their way through the prison lunch line. Real soon John would be leaving the prison. His 25-year sentence was up. John has been Twenty’s inspiration and mentor for the past ten years. All of the looking out for each other and the training made them build a tight bond with each other. You would say it’s a miracle how well John Kim trained Twenty in the art of Kung’ Fu. Ten straight years of mastering the art made Twenty a skilled beast. His training has made him a more disciplined self-human being.
They proceeded thr
ough the line and grabbed their usual seat together. The two were well known for their fighting skills because every chance they got they would train. Especially on the yard. Others would watch and gawk at their training sessions. Sometimes inmates would imitate their movements trying to teach themselves.
Twenty swallowed a bite of chicken. He was thinking about John Kim leaving. He didn’t want him to go but inside he knew it was right. John was his only true friend at the prison. Unfortunately, not one of the Lifters wrote, sent money or came to visit him in the prison. For the entire ten years, nothing. Just training with John was all he knew. Sometimes at night when he settled in for bed, he thought about what the Lifters were doing. If they were retired or still lifting without him. If they were carrying on with their lives together or separately. Whatever the case might be, no one contacted him. Not once reached out to inform him what was going on with what he thought was his only family. What was his best friend Jeff doing? Is he running the Lifters or not? Is Paula ok? Is she married with kids and living happily ever after? Maybe she was still lifting? Is Tech still the smartest guy around? Had he finally decided to go to college and get a master’s degree? He was fragile about his friends. John Kim trained him well in mind, body and soul. One thing was for sure, he prayed they had changed their lives around for the better because he changed his life totally around. The prison wouldn’t get the best of him.
John Kim snapped his fingers. “Yo Twenty, what are you thinking about? You look spaced out.”
Twenty took another bite of his sweet chicken. He wanted to avoid mentioning he was going to be hurt because John was leaving. How selfish would he be? “You’re going to be leaving any day now. Training by myself for the rest of my life is going to be hell. Then there’s the problem with receiving a new roommate. How tough is that going to be? I don’t want to get to know anybody else. I’m thirty years old now with no damn friends. That’s a damn shame.”
John Kim sipped his water. He thought about where Twenty was coming from. Some time ago, he thought about this very conversation. As the years drew near he realized he would be leaving soon and Twenty had become his best friend. The only problem was, he is finally going to be free and going back to his lovely wife. Twenty was not, he was going to be here for the rest of his life and left without anyone. “Twenty,” John spoke with seriousness in his voice. “I’m always going to be your friend no matter what. You changed my life around also. Whenever you need me, I’m just a phone call away. Always keep in contact with me. You’re my best friend. We spent ten years in the same room together. I’ll come visit you every chance I get. That you can count on.” He held his fist out. Twenty smiled and dapped him up. “My brotha.” Twenty felt that they were even closer to one another than he was with Jeff. Ten years straight, reading the bible, working out and training. He became one with one’s self and for that, he loved John Kim as a brother for teaching him willingly.
Later that night, they said their goodbyes. Twenty was emotional as John. They released John that morning. Eleven hours later, he got a new roommate. Younger dude, white, blonde hair and looked around twenty-one years old. Twenty stopped doing his pull-ups and turned around. “Twenty.”
“David, bro.” They shook hands.
Lifted
The Tough Guys
El’ Ninotook the phone from Nacho. “Thanks, Nacho.” El’ Nino put the phone to his ear.
Nacho nodded and stood next to the desk.
“My favorite guy to speak with. How are you doing today my friend?” El’ Nino puffed on his Cuban cigar.
The Spokesman seated himself at his home office chair, not before he shut the door for privacy. “My friend, what service can I provide for you today?” The Spokesman was the info guy around Atlanta. If there was anything anyone needed to know. The Spokesman would charge them a small fee for his knowledge. He is like the underworld government of information. El’ Nino is his top customer.
“My good friend,” Nino spoke looking out to the city. “I pay you well for your services. Is that correct?”
The Spokesman already knew where the conversation was headed. He prepared himself wisely for this very moment. Of course, this was also a part of his own plan. “Yes, you do. You pay me very well. You are my best customer. Top dollar for all the information I’ve ever provided you with. My family is well taken care of. We have no worries.” He wanted to make El’ Nino feel like a king. That’s the way he expects to be treated at all times. In El’ Nino eyes, he is a king. Anybody treated him differently. Nacho would surely pay them a home visit.
“If this is so.” El’ Nino puffed out a ring of smoke. “Why did you provide me with information that is not valuable to me in the slightest form?”
“Please forgive me El’ Nino.” The Spokesman knew the best way to defuse the situation, ask for forgiveness. “But what piece of information have I provided for you that isn’t any us to you in the slightest? Please tell me and I will seek the answer that you’re looking for.” The Spokesman kicked his feet up on the desk. He loved being in control. Knowing what people wanted before they asked for it. This is his territory, his way of perceiving their mind. He was a vicious player at this game and he dared himself to venture with El’ Nino.
“The one they call Twenty.” El’ Nino took a long sip of his 2 million dollar cognac. “You recommended him for the job that I’m in immediate need for. Why is this? A man who is in prison? Why do I feel like you test my patients? Are you trying to test my patience, my friend? Is this a way of saying fuck that Mexican El’ Nino? The money I gave you for the information about a man who is in prison. I want to know the best man for the job my friend. Not the best prisoner for the job. Must I remind you,” He spoke sternly. He wanted his point across without losing his demeanor. If that was to happen and he totally lost it, he would go out to the restaurant and openly free pick a person to murder. Murder is how El’ Nino calmed his nerves by periodically killing someone at least two times a month at random.
“I see where you are coming from my friend. Please let me elaborate the situation.” The Spokesman smiled. This is what he gets paid to do. Give information and get paid more money to solve the problem. If there is one to ever occur. “Sorry for the misinterpreting the first time. With the business conditions we have here. The man they call Twenty is the best person for the job. This is true, he is serving a life sentence behind bars. It’s awkward enough because I put him there behind my own concerns. Do not underestimate the power of your own hand. What I tell you, will put you in a position to win. Your hand is strong enough to reach the Mayor. The Mayor's hand is strong enough to reach the Warden. The Warden can have the judge give him a retrial. Let the study show that the evidence against Twenty wasn’t enough to somehow imprison him for life. I’m sure they can think of something. Within a week, your guy will be released. For the favor, he will be in your debt. Twenty is the man you seek.”
El’ Nino puffed on his cigar. He did have the power to reach out to the Mayor by force. He strong armed plenty prominent figures before. “This I agree. You will receive your money once Twenty is free.” They hung up. “Nacho, get the soldiers ready. We have to visit the Mayor.”
Lifted
My Bro’s
Twentywent back to doing his pull-ups while David settled into his new home. Twenty thought while he worked out about his new roommate David being so young and in prison. His life was wasted just like his. He thought it was crazy how they come in so young. He would’ve never known himself if he wasn’t arrested. He prayed every day for a second chance. He understands why people say that now. If I had a chance to do it all over again, I’ll do it better the next time around. A second chance. If I had a second chance I’ll cherish the hell out of my life, he thought.
David interrupted him from his thinking about the outside world and his fierce workout. “Twenty right?” He asked while unpacking. He heard the name Twenty before. He just couldn’t place it. He didn’t want to come at Twenty wrong on his first day. T
he name was intoxicating his mind and he wanted to ask what he was in here for?
Twenty stopped his intense workout. His shirt was off, showing all his bulging muscles. Every single cut in his muscle line was intimidating to David. His tattoos made it worse because he looked like a gang member. Twenty exhaled deeply through his nose. “That’s right.” He continued to inhale and exhale trying to catch his heart rate. He went over to the sink and splashed water on his face.