Prince of the City (5 page)

Michael picked up the package of blow, held it up in the air, and said, “This strip is now under new management. Free blow for everybody courtesy of the old manager, Skinny Pimp.” With that, he threw the package into the crowd of dope fiends and left.

After killing Skinny Pimp, Michael and Sam opened Wahler Place back up with raw dope. Fiends from all over were dying to get some of the brand named heroin they called Pink Panther. They were pulling in fifty thousand dollars a day from Wahler Place alone. It got to the point where they had to take all of their best lieutenants off the old strips and move them over to Wahler Place. Clientele was tremendous, and Michael Perry's name was the talk of Southeast.

Although Mike and Sam were equal partners, the streets respected Michael more. Sam treated dope fiends like trash, but Michael treated them with respect. If a fiend didn't have any money to cop when he was really ill, Michael would tell one of his workers to give him a blow, and sometimes Michael would even give the fiend a few dollars. While Sam was hard on the workers and lieutenants, Michael would sometimes work with them if they came up short. Sam looked down on those who didn't have anything, but Michael would buy kids in the neighborhood tennis shoes.

Although Michael was a gentleman, he knew how to turn into the devil when needed. He had charisma. The younger guys emulated him, the older guys respected and feared him, and the women adored him.

Unfortunately, while Michael was building an empire, Sam was tearing it down with a vicious gambling habit. Sometimes he'd win, but when he lost, he'd lose big. Michael and Sam were close to reaching the goal they had set to leave the game behind, which was two million dollars, but Sam's gambling was slowing down progress.

Inside Michael's condo, he and Sam rolled perfect joints while they gathered all the money they collected from that day's shift. Michael picked up thirty thousand from Sixth Street and twenty thousand from Fifteenth Place. He collected another thirty thousand from Talbert Street and twenty-eight thousand from Melon Street. These strips were Michael's responsibility. He was also in charge of the neighborhood he grew up in, Langston Lane.

The Lane wasn't a dope strip. The main drug of choice in that area was weed. Michael usually picked up about twenty thousand a week from Langston Lane.

“Hey, Sam, did you bring the money machine?” Michael asked.

“Yeah, I got it.”

“How much you pick up from Wahler Place?”

“I got like thirty-five,” he replied lowly.

“Thirty-five?” Michael said, shocked by the number.

“Yeah, Mike.”

“Damn! What the fuck is going on over there? When we first got that joint it was moving no less than fifty.” He looked at Sam with disappointment.

“Yeah, I know, but shit is moving slow now. For real, I think Kojack's been holdin' out lately.”

“Well, that's your spot. When we first got it, it was understood that you'd be in charge. I think you need to change lieutenants if Kojack is stealing.”

“I ain't saying the nigga's stealing, Mike,” Sam said. “He just ain't paying like he usually does.”

“If that ain't stealing, I don't know what is.”

“Forget it, Mike. I'll talk to him.”

“Okay, but remember, it's your responsibility to hold down that spot. That's our most valuable strip.”

“Don't worry. I got it.”

And Sam did have it. Once again Sam was blaming Kojack for his gambling habit. Sam had been uptown on Seventh and T Streets all day gambling with Butter, who had won thirty thousand from Black Sam, money that Kojack had earned on Wahler and given to Sam.

After counting the day's profit, they combined it with the rest of the money.

“Ay, Mike, this is 1.3 million. We only got seven hundred thousand to go. We should have it within the next six months if everything goes right.”

“Yeah, let's just make sure everything goes right, 'cause I'm ready to pack up, relocate, and live a comfortable life. Fuck this game, Sammy. There are only two things that can happen if we continue—jail or death. And I don't want either one of 'em.”

“I hear you, Mike. These cracker-ass Feds ain't gonna let a nigga get but so much before they arrest you and take it all.”

“That's my worst nightmare, Sam.”

“Mine too.”

Connie walked into the living room to see if Mike and Sam were finished handling business. “Hey, honey,” she said.

“Hey, baby, come here. I missed you.” Mike kissed his wife passionately while Sam looked on with a smile.

“I guess I should be leaving,” Sam said.

“Oh no. I'm sorry, Sam,” Connie said. “I didn't mean to come in here and bother y'all.”

“It's okay, Connie. We're finished anyway.” Sam embraced his best friend and called for Malik before he left. “Ay Malik, come out here and give your Uncle Sam some dap.”

Malik came running and gave Sam a smooth but firm handshake like his father had taught him.

“Hey, wazzup, lil soldier? You been doing good in school?”

“Yeah, I'm doing good, but my math needs a little work.”

“Ah, man. You know you gotta get that math down pat. How else you gonna count all that money when you get rich, huh?”

Malik smiled. “I dunno.”

Sam rubbed him on the head. “Look, I gotta go, but remember, get that math down.”

“Okay, okay, Uncle Sam. I got you.”

“Okay, lil man. See you later, Connie.”

“Bye Sam.”

“Tomorrow, Mike.”

“Yeah Sam. Ay, don't forget what I said about Kojack.”

“I got you.”

After Sam left, Connie snuggled up with her man.

“Hey baby. Go ‘head and get yourself together while I go out on the balcony and talk to my son.”

“Okay, baby.” Connie kissed him and started to walk off. However, before leaving the room, she stopped. “Oh yeah, Mike?”

“Wazzup, baby?”

“Talk to Malik about acting up in school. His teacher called me at work today and said he was fighting.”

“Okay, baby. Now go ahead and freshen up, 'cause I'm a punish that pussy tonight.”

“Oohhh, I love it when you talk like that.” Connie went into the back room while Michael poured himself a glass of Remy Martin.

“Hey Malik! Come out here with me on the balcony.”

At night, Southeast sounded even more gruesome than during the day. Gunshots rang out from way across the other side of Valley Green. Sirens went off and screams and laughter echoed throughout the streets. While Michael and his son looked out into the jungle of Southeast, a jewel was being dropped on an innocent child.

“Malik, look out there and tell me what you see.”

“I see a jungle, Dad.”

“That's right, son. And what kind of animal rules the jungle?”

“The lion does, Dad.”

“Why is that, son?”

“Because he's brave and wise.”

“That's right. But most of all, he is what?”

“A thinker, Dad. He studies his enemy before he attacks. That is why he remains on top and keeps order.”

“Okay, Malik.” Michael then pointed out to certain areas. “What am I pointing at?”

“That's Valley Green, Dad.”

“And what did I say about the Valley?”

“That's where the wolves dwell. They run in packs. Always feed 'em and never let 'em go hungry, because when they're hungry, they'll turn on you. But as long as you feed 'em, they're cool. And whenever you stop feeding them, have a plan to get rid of 'em.”

“Okay. Now what's that?” Michael pointed in a different direction.

“Barry Farms.”

“And what did I tell you about the Farms?”

“They're like the gorillas. They take. Never be careless with your valuables when you go through there.”

“And what's that?” Mike asked, pointing again.

“Oh, that's Third, Fourth, and Sixth Streets.”

“And what do you know about that?”

“That's where the snakes lie. Never turn your head, 'cause once you do, they bite. Never trust 'em, no matter how pretty they seem to be. They are masters of trickery.”

“Okay. Now what's that?”

“That's Alabama Avenue. Everything on that side is under the lion's rule. They comply with everything the lion says with no problem.”

“Now, name all the spots on that side under the lion's rule.”

“Well, Dad, we got Fifteenth Place, Robinson Place, Stanton Road, Savannah Terrace, Twenty-second Street, Shipley Terrace, Congress Park, Wellington Park, Ambassador Square, Langston Lane, and Butler Gardens. Oh, hold on, Dad. I forgot Sixteenth Street and W Street.”

“That's right, son. Now tell me who the lion is?”

“He's the king of the jungle. He sits high on a throne watching over his subjects.”

“And who is the king?”

Malik smiled and looked up at his father. “You Dad. You're the king.”

“That's right, son. Now, if I'm the king, then what does that make you?”

“The prince.”

At that moment Connie walked out onto the balcony. “Now, I'm the queen, and I run this part of the castle. And the queen says it's past your bedtime, Mr. Prince.”

“Awww, Ma. Can I stay out here and talk to Daddy?”

“No sir. Not tonight. You've been out here long enough. Now give your daddy a kiss goodnight. He'll see you tomorrow.”

Malik looked up to his father for some help.

“Sorry, son. She's the queen. I can't help you out on this one.”

“Man, okay.” Malik kissed his father and told him he loved him. “Oh. Dad, don't forget you said you were taking me to the carnival down RFK Stadium tomorrow.”

“I haven't forgotten, son. I love you.”

“I love you too, Dad.”

“Goodnight, son.”

After Malik left, Michael took another sip of his drink and continued to stare out into the Jungle contemplating his next move. He knew that whatever he had to do, it had to be done fast and with caution.

 

Chapter 6

-1987 (THE CROWN)-

 

n the animal kingdom, the lion hunts with great skill so that their offspring or pride will have enough to eat. And in the spring of 1987, that's just what Michael set out to do, and there wasn't a better place to start than in Las Vegas at the Sugar Ray Leonard versus Tommy Hearns fight.

Michael had to get his things together before the fight. This was not just a vacation for him. It was the biggest break in his hustling career. Big Luke had set up a meeting for Michael with his connect. Luke was planning to disappear for about a year because he felt the Feds sniffing around. So before he let them get close enough to get a whiff, he was going to get ghost.

Michael and Sam were the only two hustlers in the city whom Luke respected enough to reveal his source. He liked Michael's style, and he understood Michael's plan to get rich and not go to jail. Although he never really knew how much they were collecting, he always thought they ran a smooth operation. Therefore, to keep the city moving, Luke stepped aside and gave up his position to a dynamic, aspiring, young hustler.

Within the first minute of the fourth round, Black Sam got up from his front row seat, fixed his clothes, and excused himself from the meeting.

“Does he always make that a habit?” the connect asked, nodding in Black Sam's direction.

“What are you talking 'bout?” Mike asked.

“The gambling, Michael. I bet you nine out of ten he's going down to the casinos.”

“Nah, he just dibs and dabs a little.”

Big Luke's connect was a smooth hustler out of Harlem, New York, and one of the richest black hustlers in his time. Frank Wallace Mathews had Harlem in an uproar with the purest dope coming in from China.

“Now Frank, are we going to sit here and talk about what my partner does in his spare time, or are we gonna talk business?”

“I like that in you, Michael. Your willingness to take advantage of an opportunity.”

“Yeah, it's money out there to be made and I want it.”

“Michael, the one reason I continue to make money in this game and stay alive and outta jail is because I don't go back on my word. My word is my bond, and whatever standards I set I keep to 'em, understand?”

“Yeah, Frank. Totally.”

“Good then. Well, first of all, I can see you are more of the businessman between the two of you. So from now on, I deal strictly with you and no one else, understand?”

“Yeah, but before you go any further, I'd like to let you know that Sam is not only my partner, he's my best friend.”

“Michael, in this game there are no friends. Money is truly the root of all evil, and when you get enough of it, you'll see for yourself. Just remember I told you that.”

“I'll remember.”

“Now, I know that Big Luke was giving it to you for a good number, but I want to see you move up a little faster. So what I'm a do is give it to you for ninety thousand a key, and after the first six months, I'll drop it to eighty. Also, I know Big Luke wasn't giving his to you in its purest form either. The shit I'm a give you can stand a fifteen. Can you deal with that?”

Michael knew the answer he was about to give would be the start of a new future. Also, he knew he was going to have to move fast before Big Luke came back home. He planned to be retired by the time Luke hit the streets.Micheal then placed his hand on Frank's shoulder and flashed a smile.

“Yeah, Frank. And furthermore, I'd like to thank you for giving me the opportunity to make money.”

“Well, you know Luke highly recommended that I deal with you in his absence.”

“Yeah, me and Luke's relationship is solid.”

“Good then. That should seal the business side of the meeting. Now let's get some drinks.”

While Mike and Frank sat at the bar talking about the finer things in life, a strikingly beautiful woman whispered something in Michael's ear.