Hood Rich: The rise and fall of one of Brooklyn's Finest

by Corie Allen

  “No… you can’t fix this, you went against the grain.” “Rich, we Brooklyn’s Finest, we stick together, don’t listen to what…”

  --bang, bang-

  Tears rolled down my eyes as I shot Zeke between his eyes twice. I dropped the burner and left him there, like that. I closed the door and walked back to my car on Seneca Avenue, where Akira and Jocelyn were waiting. The ride home was silent. You could hear a mouse pissing on cotton. Once inside the house, I sat Akira and Jocelyn down.

  “Look, this shit never happened. Don’t ever in your life mention anything to anybody about what happened tonight. Not even to each other or me. Nobody opens they mouth nobody goes to jail.”

  I looked into both their eyes. Akira was scared, Jocelyn emotionless. In the morning I headed to Razor Sharp on Wilson Ave. The best barbers in the borough cut there for $30 a whop. I played some pool waiting for the barber to finish cutting some lil niggas head. “Long time, no see nigga.” I heard from a familiar voice behind me.

  I turned around and it was Manny.

  “What up?” I said as I extended my hand for Manny to shake.

  “Nigga, that was good looking on that shit you handled for me. I owe you one. You gotta get at me sun.” I was about to respond before my attention was diverted to the television.

  “… Channel 7 Action News this is Oliver Cole reporting from Public School Sixty-Eight in the Ridgewood section of Queens; where a young man, Eziekial Goode, was murdered early this morning inside of the schoolyard.

  Vice detectives were investigating an unrelated crime when they discovered the victim inside of his parked vehicle at 3:45 this morning…”

  The entire barbershop went quiet. Manny dropped his cell phone as he listened.

  “Oh shit.” I tried to act surprised.

  “What the fuck!” Manny yelled.

  I stormed out of the barbershop, and Manny followed. Everyone knew me and Zeke were best friends. Manny hugged me.

  “Damn youngin’ I know that was ya ace. I’m sorry, yo this game is crazy.”

  I tried to force tears, but they just wouldn’t come out. I took option number two… denial. I yelled out. “Man… Zeke can’t be be gone. I just got home yesterday, I aint get to see him.”

  Manny relaxed his grip on me.

  “Look sun, I know it’s hard. It’s hard for me.” With Zeke out the way, I could focus on Wilson Avenue again. Manny was home so I know I would have to go about the situation right. I would have to use finesse.

  Wilson Avenue was doing bad. Manny’s connect was stepping, or rather, dancing on the coke real crazy. Crackheads started going to Broadway and Mother Gaston to cop. I went home and grabbed an ounce. I rode back up the way. Manny was sitting on his stoop on Moffat Street.

  “What up sun… you good?” Manny said as I walked up and sat next to him on the stoop.

  “Yeah I’m good, I just went to holler at my O.G. Real quick. When you was on the Island, he was the one supplying me. He just threw me an ounce cause I came home. He told me I can get as much as I can move whenever I need it.”

  I watched Manny’s eyes to see if he was taking the bait.

  “So how much he charging for four and a half?” I realized Manny was biting.

  “Three stacks.” I replied.

  Manny’s eyes opened wider presumably because the price was good.

  “Is it the same shit you was pumping when I was booked?”

  “Yeah, my nigga, it’s the same. That shit is raw.” Manny reached in his pocket and pulled out his mitt. He peeled off a stack and gave it to me.

  “I need that onion yo, and set that up for four and a half. When can we meet up wit O.G.?”

  I hadn’t thought about that yet. He threw a curveball, cause I definitely didn’t have a O.G. Supplying me with coke. It was time for that maneuvering that Shakita talked about. I took a few seconds rummaging my head for some ideas. I had to think fast. “He on some paranoid shit, he don’t wanna meet nobody, but like I said, he’ll throw me whatever as long as that money right.”

  Manny looked at me in contempt, if looks could kill I would be six feet under.

  “Look Rich, I’m not into that middleman bullshit. When it come to this paper I’m about my work. You already know how I ride… so what you want out of this?” Manny asked.

  “I just need two hundred every time you cop, if thats not too much to ask.”

  “Damn sun, I aint mad at you. One things for sure, you always find a way to get at a dollar. I fucks wit you.”

  I passed off the ounce to Manny and got off the stoop. Manny grabbed my arm.

  “Aye yo sun, what you do with that ratchet?” I knew Manny would ask me sooner or later. “What ratchet?” I asked

  To me the gun didn’t exist anymore. Once I buried it, I buried all thoughts about it, and I didn’t care to talk about it.

  “The one I asked you to hold down for me.” Manny responded.

  I wasn’t even going to tell Manny where the gun was because I buried more out there.

  “I don’t know what you talking about, you aint pass no ratchet off to me. I don’t play wit tools!”

  Manny smiled and let my arm loose.

  “You smart, you got a good memory, I fucks wit you.”

  “Well… I can’t remember something if it never happened.

  Akira

  I felt nervous working in Club Wet again after setting up Zeke. It had to be done though. I was scared. It seemed like Jocelyn was cool wit everything. Jocelyn was doing a private show in one of the V.I.P. Rooms when Kevin called all the girls to the bar. The club had just opened for the night. There was only two customers in the building. They were both in V.I.P., busy team fucking Jocelyn.

  It was Manny and Wiz from Moffat Street. They were Jocelyn’s regulars. I guess they couldn’t get enough. The meeting started. Kevin introduced us to his brother “Black”. He was going to be running the club for a week. Black was just as dark as his name suggested. He was only five foot four. He had a goatee and enough waves on his head to make the whole borough seasick. Black was well dressed. He appeared to be in his thirties. After a brief introduction, Black spoke.

  “Look bitches, Kevin run shit his way, and I run shit my way. Lets clear this shit up right now. While I’m here it’s my way. If you don’t like it thats a personal problem. Cry me a river, build a bridge and get over it.”

  Black went on about his rules. Customers started coming in and he adjourned the meeting. Black and Kevin fell back into the office and closed the door. Jocelyn came out of the V.I.P. With Manny and Wiz. She sat down at the bar beside me.

  “Damn girl, these niggas can’t get enough of this ‘ill na-na. I’m bout to raise the price on this pussy. It’s real simple right, supply and demand baby.” We both laughed, only I was laughing at and not with her silly ass.

  “Jocelyn… this new nigga thats gone be running the club while Kev in Philly is like a black ass version of Hitler. Your freak ass prolly like it though.”

  We both laughed. Jocelyn’s laugh was muffled abruptly. She stopped and froze in the middle of her laugh. She was trembling and staring in the direction of the office. Black and Kevin were standing at the door. Tears came out of her eyes as she turned her head toward me.

  “That’s him, we gotta get out of here, he's gone kill me!”

  “He’s gone do what, fuck is you talking bout?” “Black… that’s him?”

  Jocelyn grabbed my arm and pulled me into the dressing room. Her face was red and full of tears. She was still shaking.

  “When I ran from Jersey, I was running from him. He was my pimp in Atlantic City. He told me if I ever left him, he would kill me if he ever seen me again!” I held Jocelyn in my arms. Black wasn’t that big. Shit he was close to our size. I wasn’t about to let him do anything to Jocelyn.

  “We in this shit together, fuck that. We riding to the wheels fall off.”

  Jocelyn shook her head no.

  “No, Akira, lets be out, that nigga crazy. H
e be fucking bitches up like it aint nothing.”

  I let Jocelyn go and looked in her eyes.

  “Remember what we did to one of your favorite customers? He was like the jolly green giant. We wasn’t scared of him, so fuck Black.”

  “Yeah, but we had Rich.”

  “Well, we just have to get him different.”

  Just as we sat down to figure things out, Coffee, Kevin, and Black walked into the dressing room. Jocelyn jumped up. Black opened his eyes wide. Coffee grabbed Jocelyn by the hair and looked at me. “What the fuck did I tell y'all lazy ass bitches about sitting in the dressing room. Go get that fucking money for daddy.”

  Coffee released Jocelyn’s hair. We both headed for the door. Black moved directly in front of us and grabbed Jocelyn’s arm. He looked at Kevin and said:

  “This the little funky bitch I told you about that ran away.”

  Kevin shook his head. Black turned his attention to Jocelyn.

  “So this where you been, you little stinking ass bitch.” He slapped Jocelyn in the mouth and kept talking. “Didn’t I tell you what I would do to you if you ran from me and I found you?”

  Jocelyn never responded. He continued.

  “You better pray to the pimp gods that you have a good night cause I’m about two-seconds away from fading you. Bitch you better go out there and suck and fuck out of both pants legs like you got white liver.”

  Black let Jocelyn’s arm go and stepped aside for us to leave. We stood there frozen. Coffee grabbed me by my neck.

  “Bitch is you the fuck deaf. Get the fuck out of here.” Me and Jocelyn left the dressing room. The rest of the night went extra slow. I just couldn’t wait to get home to Rich. At the end of the night Black pulled Jocelyn into the office. I was all dressed and waiting on her to leave. I knocked on she door too see how much longer they would be. Black opened the door. Jocelyn was sitting on the floor holding her stomach crying. “Fuck you want?” Black asked me as he looked me over.

  “I’m waiting on her, our ride is outside.”

  Black smirked and looked at Jocelyn.

  “This bitch is my property. Go head and get your ride case she’s going home wit’ daddy.”

  “No… that’s my…”

  Black whaled his hand at my face so fast and hard I could only hear ringing out of my left ear. I was picking myself up off the floor.

  “See the problem wit’ you funky ass bitches is, you don’t know how to mind your motherfucking business and keep your cock holsters shut. I’m about sick of y’all whores. Y’all don’t get paid to think. Stick to what you do best… sucking and fucking.”

  Black grabbed me and Jocelyn and took us to the dressing room. He looked at Jocelyn.

  “Bitch get ya clothes on, and you, I got something for you.”

  Black grabbed me by the back of my neck and bent me over the table. He pulled my jeans down. That little nigga was so strong. Jocelyn came over and tried to grab Black. He turned around and punched her square in the mouth with his free hand. He held me down with the other.

  “Stop, I’m sorry, I’m sorry.” I cried and pleaded. “Shut up bitch.” Black yelled in my ear. I was hoping someone would hear me, but the music in the club was loud.

  “Black, it’s not her fault, take it out on me!” Jocelyn cried.

  Black looked at her and spat.

  “Bitch get dressed, matter fact turn around and look that way. Mind your motherfucking business.” Black forced his way into my dry un-lubricated ass hole. I screamed out in pain. I tried to wiggle my way out to no avail. Black had me hemmed up. I cried and cried as he continued to violate me. I turned my head around and saw Jocelyn going in her locker. She pulled out Zeke’s gun and cocked it. Black released me and stood up.

  “You gone pull a gun on me bitch? You got twoseconds to drop that damn pistol and get on your motherfucking hands and knees and beg me not to whip your motherfucking ass bitch!

  Jocelyn was shaking. I was in so much pain I could barely stand up. Black moved towards Jocelyn. “Bitch I said put the gun down.” Black said as he leapt toward Jocelyn.

  “Bitch I outa…”

  --Bang, bang, bang-

  Jocelyn shot Black three times. She dropped the gun and stood there. I looked down at Black on the floor and back up at Jocelyn.

  “Let’s get the fuck out of here.” I said as I grabbed my bag. Jocelyn picked up the gun and put it in her bag. We walked out of the club as if nothing happened. Coffee, Kevin, and the bouncers were outside talking. The music was still playing and the lights were still flashing.

  Rich was across the street. We ran across Wilson Avenue and jumped in the car.

  “Hey baby, hurry up, pull off.” I said to Rich and kissed him.

  “Damn you in a rush baby, calm down. I’m gone stop at the Hot Bar.”

  I couldn’t tell him what just happened but I need him to hurry up and leave.

  “Baby I gotta take a shit real bad, come on. Take me home first and drop me off.”

  Rich laughed as he started the car. I was quiet the entire ride home, so was Jocelyn. I held my stomach as I was in pain from Black’s intrusion of my body.

  Rich

  I went to the Hot Bar after dropping Akira and Jocelyn off. I wanted to get some crab legs and a smooth bitch. I sat at the bar after I ordered my food. Someone tapped me on my shoulder and I turned around. It was Shakita. I hadn’t seen her in over 9 months. She had on a black fitted dress with some six inch stilettos. Her hair was braided in micro’s. Shakita sat on the stool next to me.

  “Whats up Rich, damn, I aint seen you in a minute baby, how you been?”

  “I’m good. What you drinking?”

  “Alize and Vodka.” She said smiling.

  “So how are the twins?” I asked.

  “Bad as shit.” Shakita responded.

  The bartender came over with our drinks. Jay-Z's ‘All I Need” was playing on the jukebox. Shakita and I talked while we drank and I ate of course. Shakita got up off the stool and whispered in my ear.

  “I’m horny as shit Rich… come in the bathroom and get this pussy.”

  Shakita walked to the bathroom at the back of the bar. I followed close behind. I looked around the bar and then walked into the bathroom. Once the door was closed and locked, Shakita pulled up her fitted dress and bent over the sink. Looking at her pretty round fat ass made my dick instantly hard. I shoved it inside of her and watched her as she turned her head around and looked at me.

  “You miss this pussy Rich?” Shakita asked.

  “Yeah.” I responded as I felt myself about to nut inside of Shakita again. I couldn’t help myself. It happened.

  “Damn nigga, I told you about nutting in me.” Shakita snapped as she lurched forward off me. She squatted and sucked the rest of the nut off.

  After finishing in the bathroom we walked back to the bar to have another drink.

  “So Rich… you get a girl yet?”

  I smiled, feeling somewhat guilty.

  “Yeah… you can say that.”

  “Be careful.” She said as she sipped her drink. “You need a ride.” I asked her after I got off the stool. “Naw I’m good. About to walk around Manny’s house”

  “Okay.” I said as I put a dub on the bar and walked off.

  “Hey Rich.” Shakita called out just before I reached the door.

  “Whats up?” I said.

  “So I guess you a boss now huh? Don’t you think it’s time for you to step that wardrobe up Hood Rich?” I didn’t respond, I just smiled. For some reason, I liked the sound of that… Hood Rich. As I walked out the bar I could see cops across the street at Club Wet. There had to be about 10 to 12 police cars. Lights were flashing and a crowd of people hovered in front of Club Wet. I headed home.

  Akira was balled up on the floor at the foot of the bed. Jocelyn was lying across the bed sleeping. I couldn’t see Akira’s face but I could see that she was sobbing. “What’s wrong baby?” I asked as I sat next to her. She remained sile
nt. I held her and rubbed her back. I looked on the floor across from Akira and saw a gun. “Yo, what the fuck is that doing right there?” I asked Akira.

  She looked at me with her red teary eyes.

  “Jocelyn shot him, she shot him.” Akira said. I was lost.

  “Shot who?” I asked Akira, as I grabbed her chin. “Jocelyn shot Black, he raped me at the club tonight.” “Why didn’t you tell me this when I came to pick you up?”

  “I didn’t know how to tell you… I’m sorry.”

  I hugged Akira tight.

  “Baby it’s not your fault, I’m sorry.”

  I held Akira close to me as she told me what happened at Club Wet. I decided to take the girls, money and cocaine out of the house. I didn’t want to take any chances with Coffee and Kevin knowing were we lived. I woke Jocelyn up and we went to the Galaxy Motel.

  In the morning I took the gun and found another spot along the bike trail in Nassau County. I thought about Iyani. When I passed off that cell phone, I lost my only way to get in touch with her.

  I went to meet Manny once I got back to the city. Wilson Avenue was popping again. Two weeks had gone and Manny was copping four and a half every day. He then stepped it up to half a bird. Wiz had become his right hand man and started to accompany him to all his transactions. Manny tried to include me in his circle, which was really my circle before I got booked… Brooklyn’s Finest. I decided to fall back from the block for a while though. The streets were hot. They cooled down and the shooting subsided. Manny began selling weight to niggas from the Stuy, and Brownsville. Wasn’t long before he needed a bird a day. He also took over Central Ave which used to belong to Fats.

  The money was coming in so fast I had no time to count it. I had already made a million dollars. It didn’t seem real to me yet. I was still driving my Bonneville playing the part of the pauper. I had finally got my drivers license. Now I was ready to roll.

  Akira

  I was officially retired from the “shaky butts” business. On the other hand Jocelyn couldn’t get enough… medicine. She had some private clientele from Club Wet. Regulars whom she exchanged numbers with. She would go see them and make some ends here and there. She didn’t have to because Rich was taking care of us. She gave him all the money anyway.