Introduction To Hard 2 Da Kore (Hard2daKore Book 1)

by Mike Middleton

  “Yo Jay, I’ma give you my number again so call me, but if you don’t reach me, leave a message on my voicemail. We’re headin’ out to Chicago to start our U.S. tour tonight. We should be back this way in about 12 weeks. We leavin after this show, so leave your number and I’ll call you back. We can hook up and chill when we get back in town. We shouted you out on the next album too, I’ma send you a copy. Make sure you call me.” Xaviar said quickly as he wrote down his information and gave it to Jay. They hugged quickly and he stuck his hand out to me. “Nice meetin you Mann.” He said. I reached out and shook his hand then he left the VIP area along with the rest of their entourage towards the stage. “It’s Showtime!” I heard a few guys yell as Jay and I headed towards the stage to see the Born Criminals’ show.

  13 IT’S SHOWTIME! (Korey)

  I grabbed my bottle of champagne and headed towards the stage behind Jay and the rest of the crowd. We managed to find a good spot where we could see the Born Criminals perform as they made their way to the stage. By now I was well past tipsy. I looked over at the crowd and saw how anticipated they were. So was I as I posted up along side of the group. I couldn’t believe that I was actually on stage with a famous rap group. The Born Criminals slowly walked up to the microphones.

  “Yo yo, that’s right we back! And we about to let y’all know why we are, who the fuck we say we are!” Xaviar screamed. “Yo c’mon now Mr. D.J. crunk that matherfuckin’ shit up!” Cipher yelled. Suddenly the music crashed through the speakers so loud that the whole club seemed to jump off of the floor. Everybody went bananas as the The Born Criminals began their performance. (Cipher) “Yo yo, yo these streets ain’t safe no more not like b4 It’s real dangerous out there ya betta lock ya doors ---and keep them windows guarded up ---make sure them shit’s barred up ---b4 you get scarred up---4 actin hard up ---cause I’ma part of--a new age crime wave ---I can name more than 99 ways--crime pays I’ma Criminal--so I react to crime--like a chemical U can keep that peace and love shit---to a minimal I’m that “O” from the R.O.X. but u can call me Cipher---bcause I got da eyes and I strike like a tiger what goes around comes around-- what goes up must come down-- I’m heaven sent--but u can say now-- I’m hellbound I mix da good with the bad turn the livin’ to da dead turn white clothes to red---with two to da head I’ma B.C., so fuck it I was Born this way smokin blunts drinkin liquor I get on this way cause we be da

  Born Criminals ROX nonstop till that last shell pop and that last nigga drop-- there’s a criminal being born everyday so dats why we say fuck it, we was born this waay!

  (Xaviar)

  there’s a criminal being born right now while I’m speakin-- I be dat B&E repeated offender---still creepin

  up in ya crib when u went away fo’ da weekend my bad, I ain’t know u was still in ya bed sleepin ---I took ya life at one fifty one, a.m., ---but at one fifty a.m.--you was on ya knees prayin and at one fifty and fifteen seconds--I started sprayin and by 2 a.m., that’s when ya body start decayin Who’s next!? Fuckin with “X” I snap necks I drink 1-5-1 Proof Bacardi with Becks brews imported--U big Willie niggas—extorted kidnapped and videotapes---yea---recorded now u robbed up--gagged up—hostage—ransom while im dancin wit da devil like Charlie Manson I’m a Criminal--so fuck it---I was born this way Xaviar--ROX nigga--that’s all I gotta say---B.C.!

  This performance is off the chain! I thought as the crowd sang along with the chorus. I felt the energy of the crowd so much, that I instantly imagined that I was performing up here with the Born Criminals, and that the crowd was really cheering for me, just like in my dreams. “I‘m fuckin’ lovin this shit right here and now!” I thought as I continued to rap along with the group. (Righteous) seasons changing---everything’s gettin strange got you in my range---about to bring da pain Righteous da name--I represent da ROX for a reason and I’ma be a B.C.---till the day I stop breathin cause I rob da rich an give 2 da poor--dats ME then we rob the poor so we can get rich--dats WE (Who are we?) B.C. we been around waaay B.efo’ C.hrist mafuckas had cold hearts waaay befo’ ICE everytime we come off--dat makes us way mo’ NICE tricknowledge criminology waaay befo’ WHITES damn right we been gamblin waaay befo’ DICE while U stuck n dat dike---I can see wit no LIGHT and I know a lotta Criminals Born befo’ me robbin for da wrong reasons befo’ dey saw me Righteous dat’s what dey call me---but I’m a sinister cause nowadays to get by it’s like u gotta be a-----------------Born Criminal, B.C.!

  Born Criminals ROX nonstop--till the last shell pop and that last nigga drop-- there’s a criminal being born everyday so dats why we say FUCK IT WE WAS BORN THIS WAAYY!” We all sang along and cheered as they finished the song. I was really enjoying myself. Now I’m drunk and caught up in the hype along with everybody else right now. Wow! I hope when it’s my turn to blow people will show me this kinda love! This shit is all crazily that, and i’m the Mann! Jay walked over to me as the show continued. “Yo Mann, you aight?” He asked. “Hellll yeah I’m iight! I’m kinda feelin it a lil bit right now, but hell yeah I’m good Jay! Word up Jay, you the shit son for real! You the Man! No, no I’m the man! I mean, you know what I mean right?!” I slurred. “Yeah Mann, I know what you mean, but yo check it out, that’s gonna be you up here one day cuzo! I know you can do it! You just gotta believe that you can do it, like I believe, that’s all!” Jay stated.

  “I don’t know Jay, them niggas is super hardcore for real! I don’t think that my shit..” Don’t even say whatever you think you thinkin’ about to say Mann mord up!” Jay interrupted. “You right! You don’t know but I do, just trust me on this Mann, you’ll see! Iight!?” He added. “Iight, we’ll see!” I responded confusedly. We off of the stage and disappeared into the crowd. We watched the rest of the show from a distance. That V.I.P. treatment can really get a nigga caught up for real. I thought as I looked back towards the stage. That can be me up there one day! Maybe, one day. I thought aloud.

  After the show, Jay and I saw his friend Gunner again as we were about to leave the club. He was a few feet ahead of us as the exit line slowly moved towards the door. “Don’t forget to call me Jay!” Gunna yelled as he inched closer to the club’s exit doors. Jay responded with a smile and head nod as we watched him exit the club. As we moved closer, the club’s doors suddenly closed and the bouncers positioned themselves in front of it. “Code 10 Lock it down! Code 10 Lock it down!” They yelled through their radio headsets. We could over hear one of the bouncers over the walk e talkie. “Code 10 on the Southside exit, multiple shots fired! We got civilians hit out here!” We overheard the bouncers screaming. I put my ear up to the door to listen, but I couldn’t hear a thing because the police sirens were too loud.

  I can imagine what must’ve been goin on the other side of those doors right now. I’m just glad we didn’t make it through them. I hope my man Gunna is alright. We had to wait inside the club for the commotion to end, and was finally were released later through a side exit. The police closed the whole block and had it tapped off so we couldn’t get near the crime scene to see who got shot or killed. I wound up getting home a little after six in the morning. That was funny because that’s the same thing I was riffing with my girl about this mornin too. I guess I was no better than her now huh? Well, I might just be because at least I didn’t throw up all over the place like she did, but that was only because I made it to the toilet in time.

  14 PO’ BOY’S SECRET MISSION (Po’ Boy)

  My flight landed in the windy city with a breeze, but a little behind schedule. As I departed the plane one of the flight attendants stopped me on my way. “Excuse me sir, are you that guy from that movie The Green Mile, what’s his name, Michael Clarke Duncan?’ She asked. “No mam, he passed away not too long ago.” I smiled as I looked down on her, “but I get that a lot.” I replied. “You two could be twins.” She said curiously. “Well, enjoy your day and if you are him.” She paused and moved in closer to me. “Can you tell Tom Hanks hello for me.” She whispered. I gave her a smile and head nod and exited the plane
and continued through the airport towards the exit. My car service was parked outside and the driver held up a sign with the confirmation number I had been assigned. As soon as I got into the car my telephone rang.

  “Hello?” It was my client Fernando. “Yeah my flight was delayed but everything is still good Nando, don’t worry about that. I picked a good place for us to meet. I also got a few pretty girls there waiting for you too. I know how you like those pretty girls.” I told him. “Ahh si, I like da pretty girls. Muchas gracias my friend I will see you soon at de Holiday Inn si? He asked. “Yeah the Holiday Inn, Chicago Mart Plaza suite 2040, I’ll see you there.” I said and we both hung up. No sooner after that my Ghost phone rang. “Hello? Yo Po’ this M, Cee called me and said everything is just about all dried up on his end.” He said. “Yeah, damn I didn’t expect him to finish so quickly. Iight listen tell Cee to keep up the good work and I’ll have Sadique, I mean I’ll send somebody over to restock him.” I ordered. “Iight I’ll tell him” M answered. I’m just getting back from my meeting so if you want I can take care of that for you instead.” He added.

  “Oh you’re back already? That was good speed son. How was the trip?” I asked. “My trip was iight. I think I mighta even made a few friends this time.” M joked. “Ha haa you’re funny, the only friends you got are them the ones that be shakin’ they asses and titties up in them strip clubs.” I joked.” “You damn right about that right Po’ and I got two of them flyin’ in later on, and they ready to get to work too.” He said. “Oh really, and how are their credentials?” I asked him. “Credentials? Ok, well let me put it to you like how your corporate boys say. I think this stock investments is definitely gonna go through the roof, ha haa belly up you feel me Po’?” He joked. “I see. Well go ahead and make that money then youngeon, just make sure you put my commission to the side.” I chuckled. “I’ll call you later.” I said. “Iight, you have a safe journey too Po’.” He said and we both hung up.

  Now M, that’s my number one man right there. He’s like my right hand that watches over all of my other hands. Like the son I never had and the little brother I never got a chance to have all in one. I practically raised that kid and taught him almost everything I know about everything I know. To this day I never had a problem with M, and probably never will. I hope not anyway. Because I love that boy like he was my own. I thought as we drove. “We’re here sir.” The driver said as he pulled up in front of the hotel. I grabbed my briefcase as he walked around and opened the door. “Hey listen, wait down here for me and I’ll call you when I’m on my way down.” I told him as I got out of the car then walked into the hotel and up to my suite.

  14.5

  FERNANDO VASQUEZ (narration)

  Fernando Vasquez parked his car in the hotel’s parking lot, walked inside and waited for the elevator door’s to open and entered it. “Suite two zero four zero.” He told the elevator attendant in best English. “Going up.” The attendant said and the doors closed. The attendant looked at Fernando and smiled as the elevator elevated. “Nice weather we’re having huh?” He asked. Fernando looked over at him. “Si, nice.” He replied with a cordial smile. “A little on the chilly side though, ain’t summer no more you know, you from Chicago?” asked the attendant.

  “Si, Chicago.” Fernando answered. “Ohhh okay. Halloween coming up soon, me and my wife are going to a big bash all dressed up in costumes. Gonna do a little partying. She’s going as Tina Turner. I tell you, when my wife puts on that costume. Whew! I got me two hundred fifty pounds of Tina Turner to play with! And me, I’m going as a ghost. I don’t want nobody to see who I am. Of course unless I’m havin’ me a drink, or eatin’ some ribs, or if it gets too hot under that damn sheet, whew!” The attendant chuckled.

  The elevator stopped and the doors opened. “This is your stop! Suite twenty forty, now go left, walk straight down the hall and you’ll see it on your right, have a good day sir!” The attendant smiled loudly. Fernando smiled, looking at the elevator attendant like he could care less about anything he just said, then exited the elevator and walked down the corridor. He checked the numbers on the doors as he walked. When he got to room 2040 he noticed that the key was already in the door. He opened the door, pulled the plastic key from the door’s slot and went inside. The door closed behind him.

  The room was dark as he reached for the light switch and turned them on. There was a very attractive looking woman sitting on the bed with a silenced 45 caliber automatic weapon in her hand, pointing it directly at him. Fernando looked puzzled as he looked around the room. “I was told mi amigos; a friend of mine was going to be here in this room, he has someting for me. Maybe I have wrong number for room excuse me.” He said as he was turning around to leave.

  “Put the briefcase down, walk over to me and turn around so I can search you!” The woman said harshly as she pointed the gun at him. Fernando stood still. “Wha’ tis this some new ting here? I do business here all da time I never git searsh, I always come alone.” He explained. Suddenly a man stepped out of the bathroom. He was also carrying a silenced weapon. “Put the gun down.” He ordered to the woman. The woman slowly lowered her weapon. “I sincerely apologize for any inconvenience Mr. Vasquez, but my boss has to check you out because of the sudden change in your order. A big change like that might tend to arouse some suspicion. I can hope you understand that this is just a formality, you know? One has to protect oneself these days. There are a lot of bad people out there doing a lot of bad things. You know?” The man said.

  Fernando placed the briefcase at his feet then put his hands in the air to be searched. The man searched him thoroughly and saw that he was not armed or wired. He pulled out a walk-e talk-e radio and spoke into it. “Knight 4, I checked him thoroughly, he’s clean over!” “Knight 6, I watched him pull up in a Mercedes Benz Chicago plates 294 KLZ. He was alone when he entered. All clear over!”

  “Knight 9, I checked him in the elevator, he was cool, over!” “Okay send him over.” Said the voices over the walk e talk e radios. The armed man put his gun away.

  "You’re all good Mr. Vasquez, you can go over to the suite just across the hall, 2041.” The man ordered. Fernando slowly picked up the briefcase, walked out of the room and across the hall.

  THE MEETING (Po’ Boy)

  I opened the door and Fernando walked inside. I closed the door behind him. “Hey Nando, sorry I had to put you through all of that. You can never be too careful nowadays in this business, you know? You change your order like that, of course I gotta check it out to make sure everything is legit. We been doin business a long time and I needed to make sure you didn’t switch sides on me.You can understand that, can’t you?” I asked him.

  “Si, I understand now Po’, thiz a lotta shit I get here today here huh? He smiled looking like he was happy he didn’t walk into a set up. “Si, and I got new partnerz in withz me on thiz now. We are growing. My associates and me like you price. Best in town amigo, but let’z make quickly with thiz. I have more biziness to do elzewhere.” He said then walked over to the bed and opened the briefcase. “Two hundred forty thousand in big bills, juz like chu like it, and I’m gonna need lotz more next week.” He said. “Yo Nando, I know it’s none of my business to be asking you, but where do you move all your shit? Because if I’m giving it to you for 20, then you must be getting at least..” Fernando interrupted me. He doesn’t know how I hate to be interrupted, so I’m going to have to let him slide right now.

  “Fifty gees each. Zumtime more when I break it down, I gotta lotta new biznezz comin now, and they buyin more becauze I sellz it for cheaper than anybody, and that’z thankz to you and your familia amigo.” He said. I looked at the money as I took the briefcase from him. I dumped the money on the bed and grabbed a few stacks to inspect them. “It’s all there.” He added. I shuffled through a few of the stacks. “You know Nando. So far this is the most money that you ever spent with me, I mean at one time.” I told him. “I know, and I plan to zpend a lotz more, and for a lon
g time my friend you can believez that.” He replied.

  I reached down on the side of the bed and pulled out my briefcase, opened it, and handed it to him. He grabbed one of the kilos of cocaine and dumped the rest of them on the bed. He pulled out a small folding pocketknife from his pocket, stuck it into the kilo then pulled it out. He sniffed some of the cocaine up his nose. “Ahhh, ez puro. You Po’ Boy has zome good shit all time. Why don’t you tell me who your connection iz zo I won’t need you no more, maybe I get better price heh?” He joked. “Ha haa, I am my connection Nando, i’m the only way in, and the only way out. Comprenda? Besides, I don’t know too many peoples that would deal with your kind on this big of a scale. You too shakey amigo, they’ll think that you five ‘o the way you changing up orders at the last minute.” I joked.

  “Ha ha haaa now tell me, would five ‘o do, that what I juz did?” He asked as he took another hit of the cocaine. “Huh huh, five ‘o already do what you just did.” I replied. “Shit, well let me know where they at, zo I can sell ‘em some of thiz good shit too poppy ha ha ha ha.” He joked. We both laughed as we swapped and gathered our merchandise and cash. I’m glad that Nando was on my side because I would have hated it if I had to smoke his ass. I just kinda wanted to let him know that he’d better not even think about messin with any of my crew, I might have to deal with him later if he was as stupid as he looked. We gonna feel him out for a while before we take over his territory, and then all of his connect’s territory.