“Russell, I’ll go get it.”
Jesse approaches Russell’s door and opens it. Standing on the other side of the door was a pudgy and geeky Caucasian man wearing glasses. Jesse beings to speak with him.
“Yes, what can I do for you?”
The man responds in a very energetic and hyper manner.
“What’s going on man, I’m Kevin Peterson. Does Russell McCoy live here? Last time to my knowledge he did, but I just want to make sure. It’s really important, I speak to him. I’m an old friend of his. I don’t have his number anymore I lost it, and part of me forgot where he lived as well, but if Russell is here, may I speak to him please?”
Jesse seems to be amused at the way the man talks, and freezes in his thoughts for a second. He eventually gets himself together and responds to Kevin and shakes his hand.
“Hey Kevin, I’m Jesse Watkins, I’m one of Russell’s friends too. Yes, thankfully he does still live here. I’ll go get him right now. Hold on.”
Kevin replies back to Jesse.
“Alrighty, thanks so much.”
Jesse returns to the living room and updates Russell.
“Russ, there is a guy at the door wanting to see you named Kevin.”
Russell has a confused look on his face and gets up. While walking to the door without Russell making eye contact to him, Kevin starts to scream out for Russell in absolute joy.
“RUSS, OH MAN! IT’S BEEN AGES SINCE I LAST SAW YOU MAN, FUCK! HOW YOU BEEN MAN?!”
After recognizing Kevin at the door, Russell becomes hysteric and starts to panic and responds to Kevin, feeling very aggravated and annoyed by his presence.
“Aww shit, not you. Damn.”
Kevin then shouts back at Russell.
“YES RUSS, IT’S ME MAN. YOU KNOW IT! YEAH BABY! HOW YOU BEEN?!”
Russell shakes his head and laughs.
Chapter 7
NOTHING WEAK, NOTHING STRONG
Kevin prances himself inside with much glee and feeling jubilant, with his arms flared out. Russell then closes the door, then starts to reluctantly hug Kevin. As he’s hugging him, Kevin has a wide relaxed grin on his face. They both hug for what seems like thirty seconds or so. Kevin is the same age as Russell; he is twenty-nine. He has light brown/dirty blonde wavy hair. He is wearing a dark grey T-Shirt with video game characters on it, and he has blue jeans on as well. He is a reasonably short heighted man, being only five foot five. With his weight, he along with Russell are slightly husky and pudgy with their stature. Unlike Russell, Kevin does not have any facial hair, and has a smooth face. Kevin is nearsighted, so he wears eyeglasses. His hobbies include video games, comic books, science fiction stories, and above all working on computer hardware and software.
Kevin in addition to Russell and Jesse, also suffers from anti-social behavior disorders. He likewise with Russell at times can have a split personality towards his emotions. Kevin also speaks and acts as if he’s a cartoon; speaking extremely fast and vibrant, and is always coming up with comical comebacks towards people. He isn’t afraid to say what’s on his mind. Most of the everything he says is very active and hyper. Because of all this, he has gone through many issues and problems in his life. He considers himself a hermit towards society, and finds it difficult to make friends. Kevin is also Bisexual, but prefers relationships with women as opposed to men. His family life is also full of disaster. Being an only child similar to Russell, Kevin grew up in total isolation by himself. When Kevin was ten years old, his parents tragically died in a plane crash, which ever since that moment Kevin has lived with different family members in Chicago, before moving to California for University. He now lives by himself in a studio apartment very close by Russell’s residence. He was a close acquaintance of Russell, but they both haven’t seen each other in over four years. Just by sheer chance and luck, he has resurfaced himself in Russell’s life again.
Russell first met Kevin when he was attending the “University of Southern California”. Russell at the time was taking computer finance courses, which is where he bumped himself into Kevin. Even though they were studying different things, and had separate majors. Russell wanted to go into banking and finance, as Kevin had an unrelated study. His specialty was computer programming and electronics. Kevin unfortunately due to complicated circumstances was expelled from the school. He was caught trying to hack transcripts, grades, and finals test scores, to benefit himself and his fellow classmates in order to make money. Kevin successfully was able to find a trick in order to do this without being traced back, and originally it worked. He was quite skilled from his computer knowledge, but sadly Kevin made an amateur mistake of not trusting the right people.
He didn’t realize that doing this could backfire, and cause him to get in trouble by running his mouth. Kevin was eventually ratted out by a decoy staff member at the school, posing as a student. This was done after students whom Kevin helped out, became bitter and angry after they still failed their tests, and got suspended from their classes using his services. Out of revenge, they later teamed up to get the staff board of the university to investigate this issue. Kevin was later not only expelled, but blacklisted from many other schools and Universities as well. Kevin now runs his own freelance computer, electronic device repair, and data recovery programming business. He is generally successful with that; thought at times he does struggle with his business, which causes him great stress.
The reason that Kevin and Russell distanced themselves from each other, is that Russell doesn’t trust Kevin at times, and he cannot take his outrageous behavior. Similar to his position with Jesse, Russell can be wishy washy as far as his friendships and personal relationships are concerned. He usually only gives people one chance, and if they do not prove themselves after that chance, Russell usually avoids that person. As of late, Russell is trying to be more open minded and let situations slide. This is possibly because of the robbery that happened the day before, as to why Russell now has a change of heart. Russell last saw Kevin over four years ago, before he was even working in a bank, while they were still enrolled in university.
Kevin tried to convince Russell to participate in his test score scheme, but Russell refused, wanting nothing to do with it. Russell usually has always been a man that wanted to win and gain things fair and in the correct way. Cheating, in Russell’s view wasn’t the right way to go about it. After Russell rejected Kevin’s offer, the both of them got into a heated argument surrounding that. They both clashed and distanced themselves from each other. Russell and Kevin would congregate outside of class very often, and due to similar opinions they both had, befriended each other relatively quick. Russell and Kevin are both Jewish, which was a main similarity in which both of them shared. Kevin has always regretted destroying his friendship with Russell, and has tried to find ways to recover from that and patch up their differences. After all, Russell was one of Kevin’s closest contacts he has ever been around, and it meant very much for him to have Russell there. Russell to be frank, had totally forgotten about Kevin, and had moved on with his life. He did enjoy being around him when it lasted, but considered him to a be hurdle as far as his own personal goals. Russell’s big plan was to work in a bank, and thankfully he was able to accomplish that. Being around Kevin’s energy would have served as a distraction and a complication for Russell. He tried as much as he could to erase anything related to Kevin, so his professional agenda did not have to be wrecked because of that.
As Russell continues to bear hug Kevin, he has a rush of flashbacks in his mind. This person whom he would never think he’d see again, is now reuniting with him. Russell under much panic due to his past dealings with Kevin, can only be optimistic that perhaps this is a new leaf. Things can possibly change for the better between the both of them. The past shouldn’t matter in the present, and Russell generally begins to allow most of that to diminish. Kevin of course never had any resentment towards Russell, or at least not at the same value. He merely was upset that Russell didn’t joi
n him for his escapades, and that caused most of the friction between them both. Kevin always thought that if Russell was a true friend, he would stand by him no matter what. Although he didn’t realize that what he was doing was wrong, he felt Russell should have had his back regardless. It was far too late at that point, and Kevin soon understood the mistake he made. Deep down he knew that Russell had every right to turn his back on him, and to move on with his life. Kevin still always doubted himself and began to feel depressed that his friendship with Russell, retracted the way it did.
Russell and Kevin finally stop hugging, and stare at each other for a couple seconds. They stand in the living room, with Jesse watching them. Kevin then actively starts to chat with Russell in a jovial fast tone.
“Russ, I can’t believe it’s really you. Damn. It’s been a long time hasn’t it? Wow man, I just don’t know what else to say, I’m just surprised to see you buddy.”
Russell then awkwardly grins at Kevin and responds to him brashly and sarcastically.
“Kev, yeah…I uh...it’s good to see you too. What a surprise, it has been a while Kev.”
Kevin then scurries around Russell’s apartment inspecting it. He then in a very authoritative manner while he’s walking around, shouts out to Russell.
“From when I was last here, you really spruced this place up. I’m really liking all the stuff you have on the wall, that’s really awesome. Hey, wait a minute, what the hell are these boxes here for? You moving Russ?”
Russell and Jesse look at each other, and Jesse quickly responds to Kevin in a polite way.
“I’m staying with Russell for the time being, he’s helping me out.”
Kevin then with a confused look on his face, walks over to Jesse and starts to be fascinated by his afro textured hair. He then starts to rub Jesse’s head. Jesse allows him, not being bothered or disturbed by it. Kevin then talks to Jesse.
“Wow man, I love your fro. Cool. Nice hair. Yeah, me and Russ go way back.”
Jesse then smiles and laughs at Kevin. For another few minutes, Kevin continues to look around Russell’s living room as if it were a museum. Russell who was being patient, then can longer hide his true feelings, and snaps at Kevin in a harsh way.
“Kev, what the hell are you doing here? I thought I’d never have to see your goofy butt again, and here you are. What mess have you gotten yourself into this time?”
Kevin ignores Russell and continues to walk around his living room for a short while. He then looks at Russell, and answers his question.
“Russ, I’m not in any trouble. You know I live around the corner from you, I haven’t moved. I was scared you might have possibly moved back east. I don’t know Russ, I woke up today, and a bird told me to check on you, so I did. Turns out you still live here. Go figure.”
Russell then walks over to Kevin who is continuing to be distracted by the things hung on up in the living room. Kevin picks up an autographed Mark McGwire foul baseball next to the television set, and fondles with it. Russell then quickly snatches the ball from him, placing it back. Kevin then continues to wander his eyes at different things in the room. Russell then takes out his phone, and while going through his phone, he responds to Kevin.
“Kev, now is not a good time. Some other time okay Kev? I have a new number; you can call me whenever you want. Just… now is not good.”
Kevin then takes out his phone, and he saves Russell’s telephone number, after Russell gives it to him. After doing so, Kevin proceeds to return gazing around Russell’s apartment. Russell then becomes furious.
“Kev, you need to go. I wasn’t expecting you, and again it’s not a good time right now.”
Russell proceeds to push Kevin out of his apartment, before Kevin begs and screams for him not to eject him. Kevin reaches in his pocket and pulls out a small plastic bag that has marijuana in it. Kevin hides the bag inside his hand, without Russell noticing.
“No wait Russ, I came all this way and you’re kicking me out? Wait!”
Russell takes his hands off Kevin and gives him a skeptical look. In that moment, Kevin then waves the plastic bag in his hand towards Russell’s face teasing him with it.
“Russ, I got that good good. Don’t act like you and Michael Jackson don’t want it. I know you smoke weed Russ. Don’t act like you don’t.”
Jesse then runs over to Kevin, and snatches the bag from him. Kevin then smiles and laughs at Jesse. Jesse then walks over to Russell, begging for Kevin to stay.
“Russell please, he’s your friend. Don’t treat him that way. Come on, he has weed. How can you say no to that? Russell come on. Please?”
Russell looks down, and thinks to himself. He then looked up at Kevin, and replied back to him very sternly, in order to give him a false sense of security.
“Kev you brought pot? You’re lucky I’m in that mood. Come on let’s blaze.”
All three men then proceed outside towards Russell’s balcony which is connected from his kitchen to his bedroom. Russell’s balcony facing the kitchen is very quaint and safe, as it overlooks a back courtyard covered with trees that give a more private feeling. Over the other side of his balcony facing his bedroom, you can see a panoramic view of downtown Los Angeles. Russell also has various plants on his balcony. They all sit on deck chairs on the balcony. The sun is shining bright this afternoon, and the weather is still very moderate and fair. It is simply a very clear beautiful day. Russell takes his phone out of his pocket and puts on some Reggae music. Kevin proceeds to take some tobacco paper out of his pocket, and starts to roll a marijuana joint. Kevin is focused, rolling it very accurately.
“I’m going to make this one really fat, because I can tell you guys have a lot to talk about. Something is up, and I’m going to get to the bottom of it. I don’t judge, so it’s okay.”
Kevin finishes rolling the marijuana joint. Immediately after, Russell then reaches in his pocket and gives Kevin a lighter. Kevin puts the joint in his mouth, and before Kevin lights it, Russell snatches the joint from him.
“I take the first hit. It’s my house and my rules.”
Russell takes a couple puffs from the joint, then hands it to Kevin. After handing it to him, Russell while looking out towards the distance of his balcony patio, starts to explain everything which happened the previous day to Kevin, who is taking hits from the joint.
“You know Kev, how I explained I wanted to be a banker. Well, my dream kinda came true. I got a job at this bank, then I got a job at another bank as a manager.”
Kevin while looking at Russell, hands the joint to Jesse who takes hits from it.
“Damn Russ, manager? Look at you. I’m proud of you of man. I’m still doing all the computer stuff. Here’s my business card, I designed it myself.”
Kevin hands both Russell and Jesse his business cards. Russell quickly puts it in his pocket without examining it, while Jesse compliments how it looks to Kevin.
“You’re really talented man, I like the way this is designed.”
Jesse then puts the card in his pocket, and hands the marijuana joint to Russell who takes more hits from it. Kevin while looking at Russell continues.
“Yeah I got fired from Best Buy; remember I was working there Russ? I kept giving guys I know discounts and shit, and they canned me. Oh well. I now have my own business, and I help out people who break their phones, or download shit they shouldn’t. You know, stuff like that.”
Russell hands the marijuana joint to Kevin, while looking away from him, and while still looking out into the city from his balcony, Russell continues to update Kevin.
“Yeah Kev, I lived my dream I guess. That was until yesterday. The bank I was a manager at; I never seen you walk in a customer Kev I don’t think. That bank on Sunset near Santa Monica Boulevard, in that shopping center with the deli and cleaners? The “Sunset Credit Union.”
Kevin after taking more hits of the joint, passes it to Jesse. He then responds to Russell.
“What happened yesterday Russ? You d
idn’t get fired did you? What happened?”
Russell then looks directly at Kevin and continues to explain everything.
“No Kev, not exactly. The bank was robbed yesterday. These two guys just came into the bank, and robbed us like that. One of the guys was way more brutal than the other one was. He killed two of my coworkers, but the police came and shot him, he’s dead. The other one didn’t kill anybody, but he still ran away, they weren’t able to catch him. “
Kevin then looks at Russell in complete shock. He widens his eyes and shouts at him.
“Wait, WHAT?! Russ hold on, you’re being serious right? What?!”
Jesse hands the joint to Russell. Jesse then replies to Kevin.
“It’s sadly true. It happened. I was there, I was a teller and Russell was one of the bank managers. Me, Russell and another woman we worked with, thankfully survived it all.”
Russell after taking hits of the joint, passes it to Kevin. Russell continues to talk.
“I decided to quit because of that. Jesse also decided to quit. Yvette, the other woman who we worked with, she decided to quit as well. I don’t think any of us ever want to work in a bank again after all of that. I am still shaken over all of that. In fact, Kev only because you used to be my best friend until you fucked up, and you know you did; I’ll let you in on a secret. Me and Jesse are thinking of robbing a bank ourselves.”
Kevin takes couple hits from the joint and passes it to Jesse. Kevin then turns his head towards Russell, and responds to Russell in an energetic rant.
“Man, I can’t believe any of this. Russ, you are crazy. I woke up today and had the strangest feeling, and this feeling is so hard to explain. This feeling told me that you were in some type of mess, and it turns out it’s true. Wow. There is no doubting that at all, you are a crazy guy, messing with my mojo and my inner feelings like that, causing me to predict stuff and that’s why I love you man, and you’re my main bro.”
Nothing Ventured, Nothing Gained Page 16