I’m the Plug: Trying to Fly with One Wing, Volume Two

Chapter One

Unck had pled guilty to the charge of manslaughter and received a five to fifteen-year sentence. He served his term and had been released from prison. His only obstacle he had preventing him from returning to his previous glory, was his two-year parole obligations.

Unck killed his sister in-law for having the audacity to confront him about pimping her daughter. His wife, who was fondly known as Auntie, stayed beside the man she loved, despite the fact she witnessed him open her sister’s throat with a straight razor. Her world, and entire family was torn apart by the tragic fatal incident. Her only family member to continue to love and support her unconditionally, was her brother. He did so under the constant staunch objections from numerous family members. He loved her so dearly, he couldn’t imagine living a life which didn’t include his older sister, so he refused to do so.

Unck also had a sister named Etta. She was an amazing woman. Tall, beautiful, classy, and eloquent are some of the adjectives that come to my mind whenever I’m trying to describe her. Her hair was long, black, and wavy, as well as smooth as silk to the touch. Her skin tone was that of rich dark chocolate. She processed powerful Indian features, with a strikingly beautiful profile. Her body was full of the curves that delighted all potential lovers, and suitors. She had huge breast and was not shy when it came to her cleavage being displayed. With practically no waistline, and the hips, ass, and shapely legs to match, she was, without any doubt, the personification of sexy.

She was very informed and smart, but another word used to describe this amazing woman, was forgiving. Just as Unck had opened the throat of his sister in-law with a straight razor, he had also used the same method to open his niece’s throat, which happened to have been his sister Etta’s daughter, Regina. Regina survived the brutal attack, and eventually joined her mother in the forgiveness of her uncle. I found it mind boggling. Many felt Etta and Regina had taken a leave of absence from their senses, while others thought them to be amazingly stupid. The truth was, much simpler. The man was a pure charmer.

I sat in his living room talking to this legend, and found it exhilarating. He allowed me to ask questions whenever there was something said that I didn’t understand and asked me questions which tested my degree of knowledge of the game. Most of the question I answered correctly, but there were some I got completely wrong. It was a win, win situation for me, because even though I may have answered the question incorrectly, I learned what the answers should have been, and thus received the pearls of knowledge and wisdom.

He eventually asked me what I wanted. I answered, I want to be the richest dope man to ever sell dope in the city of Newport. He promised to do everything in his power to help me to realize that dream, and he would start by introducing me to every plug he knew, as his son. I asked when we would get started, and he asked, in a matter of fact tone, What the fuck is wrong with right now?

He promptly picked up the telephone and called City cab. When he hung up the receiver to the phone, he looked deeply into my eyes, and asked again, What is it you want? I answered once again, To be the richest dope man to ever sell dope in this city! Well come on. he ordered. Let’s get busy. Soon after, the cab arrived, and we were on our way.

To my surprise, we went to the Player’s Club. It was a gangster’s social club that catered to a members-only cliental. If you weren’t a member, you had to be escorted by a member, to be permitted entrance. I was escorted by the most popular, respected figure in town.

This place was extravagant. Everywhere you looked was pleasing to the senses. I found the aromas of incense, perfumes and colognes, as well as the smells of the different types of foods being prepared, intoxicating!

There were luxurious textures of silk, satin, and velour in red everywhere you looked, accented with gold paint. Even the floors were finished in a thick red shag carpet. Up against one of the walls, there was a long fully stocked bar, which stretch from one end of the room to the other. It too was covered with different textures of red materials and accented with gold paint.

After introducing me to everyone in attendance as his son, he stretched his hand out for my assistance, as he climbed on top of the pool table. Check this shit out everybody… he began. I’m going to step inside the office for a bit, and while I’m in there, it will give you guys the opportunity to show me just how grateful you are for my safe return. It would be wise, and appreciated, if I was to find a sizable donation on the table when I come out.

Once again, he stretched his hand out for my assistance, as he climbed down to the floor. I watched as he strutted to the office while Miles Davis’ song entitled, So What, played in the background. It was like a scene from a motion picture. I watched in amazement as they all walked proudly to the pool table and threw huge rolls of bills on top of it. I had seen large amounts of money before, but they were the proceeds from robberies, or drug deals. This was much different. This was not some type of shake down, or intimidation, seeded in threats. No, this was an act of love and respect, as well admiration. I found it hard to understand the love and forgiveness that was heaped upon this man who had terrorized his family. I learned that night that I understood very little about life, or about Unck.

Unck came out the back room and retrieved the bounty from the table. He told me he was going to spend the night there gambling as he handed me a couple of hundred dollars. You can go catch up with your crowd youngster. It’s grown folks time now. He said as he chuckled and walked away.

I hadn’t touched base with June Bug, so I caught a cab to his house. We had to brainstorm. Somehow, we had to come up with an idea that would net the necessary capital to finance a new business venture. He answered his door with a broad smile. There was a glow of optimism everywhere.

I think I’ve found the way for us to get the money to buy a sack. He proudly stated before I was completely in the house. We’re going to rob a bank! were the words he spoke after he closed the door. Mutha Fucka, you done lost yo mind? You don’t want to fuck with the Feds! I warned him. I warned him because the old folks had always warned us about the Feds. I was only repeating what I’d heard, and not speaking from actual experience, which June pointed out.

What makes them so muthafuckas special, huh? he asked. They’re human, and make mistakes, just like the rest of us. They put their pants on one leg at a time, just like the rest of us. They must eat, sleep, shit and piss, just like the rest of us. Besides, if they were so dam smart, how come more people get away with robbing banks than there are people who get caught? Answer me that? It was obvious that he was very serious about the idea of our crew robbing a bank.

He had been talking to Fat James, and insisted we leave right then, and that I accompany him to Fat James’ apartment. Fat James had lost a lot of weight, but not the name. He was a tall, slim built, dark skinned brother. He had the reputation of being a sharp dresser, but more importantly, he was well known for robbing banks.

Fat James opened the door of his apartment and greeted us with a genuine smile. After welcoming us, he invited us to take a seat in his living room. A beautiful young sharply dressed woman was sitting in the living room, with a small child. It was as though one hundred percent of her attention was devoted to Fat James. When their eyes locked, he tilted his head slightly in the direction of what appeared to be their bedroom. The entire scene was a bit strange to me, because she intentionally avoided making eye contact with me, like prostitutes do when they are trying to avoid being caught out of pocket.

She quickly stood up, and gathered a few things, before placing her little girl on her hip. Her toenails, and fingernails were manicured in an attention demanding deep red. Her skin tone was like a newly polished copper penny, and she had strong Indian features. Her hair was long, dark and wavy. So long in fact, that the braided pony tail she wore, hung well passed her voluptuous buttocks. You couldn’t help but notice how long and shapely her legs were, as she hurriedly strutted towards the bedroom. Once she reached her destination she gently and quietly closed the door.

Fat James had successfully robbed eight banks in the New Port metropolitan area. That night he gave June Bug and I a crash course in hitting jugs, as he called it. He had been a one-man operation and was content to reap what he could from a single teller. Now he had bigger aspirations. He wanted to hit all the tellers, as well as the vault. He explained in detail why it was impossible to do, without a crew.

We’ll have to think like a team, move like a team, and execute like a team, in order to be successful. He continued, "I know the police routes and schedules in this precinct. We’ll have to be in and out in under five minutes, tops. The way the escape route is set up, we will be long gone, before the nearest squad car can respond. If we’re careful not to draw any unnecessary attention to ourselves as we are leaving, we’ll soon be back at my apartment without anyone knowing which direction we were headed, or what matter of transportation was used.

We decided right then and there, our next job would be a well, planned, bank robbery. We would gather the entire crew the next day to have a meeting, for the purpose of planning a bank robbery. An electric charge surged through me. I had never robbed a bank before. Whenever I thought of bank robbery, I thought of Thomasine and Bushrod, Dillinger, Bonnie and Clyde, Jesse James, Pretty Boy Floyd…ect. One bank robbery would not have put me in the same category as the historical individuals I’ve mentioned, however, once I’ve robbed a bank, I will be considered a bank robber.

I had June Bug dropped me off over my mother’s house. I didn’t have a woman or any special place I wanted to go. My mother’s divorce from my father was final now. Normally I would have visited my brother, Albert’s house. He had moved out and gotten his own place around the corner from our mother’s house. My brothers Sonny and Anderson still lived with my mother during that time, as did my sisters Pandora, Rudine, and Marilyn. I missed them horribly. This was the perfect opportunity to spend some family time with them, without all the extra drama that existed between me and my father.

When I got out the car, I could hear loud music coming from across the street. Al Green was singing For the Good Times, and the lights in Biggum’s house were on. I felt a strong tug at my heart strings when I recognized the voice crying out to me. What type of bird don’t fly? she asked. It was Marty. My true love. She had problems with our age difference. Not me. I was so deeply in love with her, she could have taken complete advantage of me should she had taken the notion to do so, but she never did. It was because she was just as deeply in love with me as I was with her, that she had never so much as taken me for granted.

She was sitting on the front porch all alone, in the shadows. Her shinny hair appeared to be a rich mid-night blue, as it reflected the light of the moon. She smiled, and the diamond that sat in the middle of her one gold tooth, sparkled, and literally lit my entire world.

The closer I got to her, the more exhilarating the sweet fragrance of her perfume made me feel. She was sipping on a big mouth Mickey’s malt liquor, and in the mood for flirting. When I took her into my arms to give her a hug, she held on to me so long without speaking, I began to believe something was wrong. As she looked deeply into my eyes, I could see the genuine love and joy she held in her heart. She never asked me why I did the things I did. She simply relished in my company and basked in the joy of my return. Then she kissed me in a way she had never kissed me before. When I compared that kiss to all the other kisses, it paled in comparison. That’s when I realized what the difference was. All the other kisses were for me. This was the first time she had kissed me, seeking personal satisfaction.

It was obvious that she loved me just as much as I loved her, so I asked why we couldn’t be together. She stared in my eyes as though she were determined to make me understand. "We are not ready yet. I just brought a spanking brand-new Mark IV, and I’m ready to have some serious fun.

Your name is ringing, and you can tell by the interest the ladies are expressing, your hands are about to be full! You’re young, tall, black, fine, and exciting. There’s a lot you need to experience before you decide to settle down, and you need to do it with someone your own age. If you still want this old lady after you learn about life, we’ll talk about it then, but in the meantime, let’s just have some fun!"

We had a long talk and became a lot closer. I understood a lot of things after our conversation that night. She was right about our age difference being a hindrance. She wanted to do the things that came with maturing. None of those things interest me. I enjoyed the night life, bar hopping from one club to the next. She had been clubbing for so many years, she was tired of the night life. I loved running the streets seeking fun. She enjoyed making the home so much fun and comfortable, you wouldn’t want to leave, and if you did leave, you couldn’t wait to get back. She was a mother with responsibilities. I was a free spirit with absolutely no obligations or responsibilities. I understood completely. She was right. We both needed more time to live, to grow, and sort things out. We sat on the porch and talked until dawn. It was an amazing night, and the sunrise thrilled us with its’ majestic beauty.

The following day, we all gathered at Fat James’ apartment to discuss the possibility of doing a bank job. The entire crew was in attendance, which included Obie, JB, June Bug, and Cat. That made six of us, and we were all seasoned and tested stick-up men. Fat James was the only one with experience robbing banks, but there were no doubts in any of our minds about our ability to successfully complete such a potentially profitable job. We were thrilled by the possibility of this being our first step to becoming seasoned bank robbers.

Fat James girl’s name was Hope. While we were having our meeting, some of her friends came by to visit her. There was about six of them, and they all were gorgeous. One of them was a strikingly beautiful red bone, and she wore a huge, curly, blond afro hairdo like it was a crown. She was short but thick in all the right places. She had a big rear end, and a small, tight waistline. She wore a mini skirt, which showed off her big shapely legs.

She was so pretty I found it beyond difficult to not stare at her. I also noticed she was openly staring at me. It made chills run up and down my spine for her to stare at me in that manner. We were staring at each other, even though we were in separate rooms. She was in the room with the ladies, and I was in the room with the fellas.

We passed a few marijuana joints between each other and traded a few hilarious war stories. We got quiet when we overheard the girls talking loudly about what they would do if they found out their man was cheating. The redbone never took her eyes off me when it was her turn to voice her opinion. As she spoke she never looked away. It was as though she were speaking directly to me when she answered, "I would never leave my man, or breakup with my man if I found out he had another woman. I’m family orientated. Besides, why would I lay down and allow her to keep him, all to herself? It’s not going to be that easy.

I was impressed by her answer. It wasn’t what I expected to hear, but it was impressive all the same. All the other girls were explaining how badly they would go off on their guy, but not the redbone. What she was saying was completely the opposite of what the others were saying.

There was no shame in her game. When she had finished giving her answer, she slowly strolled up to me, and said, Hi sweetie. My name is Destiny. I’m really digging you. Can we talk? I patted my thigh, indicating my invitation for her to have a seat on my lap. She quickly sat down, and our first, lengthy, in depth conversation began.

Destiny’s boyfriend had been murdered almost a year earlier, and she was ready to get on with her life. She was nineteen years old and looking for a man. She didn’t want a square man. She wanted a man who was in the game and didn’t mind making his woman get up off her ass and get paid. I have the tendency to get lazy, so I need a nigga that’s gonna stay in my ass. You know? Push me! were her exact words.

We talked for quite a while, before Fat James interrupted, and reminded us of the purpose for the gathering. "Please excuse us ladies, we still have some business we must discuss. I had been so engrossed in the conversation I was having with Destiny, I hadn’t noticed everyone had coupled off. The ladies excused themselves, and we continued with our meeting.

We were filled in on Fat James’ plan to rob the National Bank. He gave detailed explanations for every part of his plan. His planning was so thorough, it included police routes. By the time we had adjourned our meeting, we all knew our assignments, and what our responsibilities would be. We were going to rob the bank at ten o’clock the next morning.

It was getting late, so Fat James suggested we retire, and get rested up. I asked Destiny for a number I could use to contact her, but she informed me she was moving in with Fat James and Hope, so I could drop by any time I wanted. She was staring at my lips as though she wanted me to kiss her. I wanted to kiss her too, so I followed my gut instincts, and tried to kiss her. I was surprised when she pulled me closer and slid her tongue inside of my mouth. The fragrance of her perfume filling my nostrils, accompanied with her sexual energy, was more than I’d expected to encounter. I had been caught totally off guard, and this chick was melting my heart. I found myself falling and falling hard.

I had June Bug drop me off over my brother’s house, which was around the corner from my mother’s house. That night I slept on the floor. I tossed and turned with excitement the entire night. I felt like a child on Christmas eve, waiting for Santa to arrive. Finding sleep was far more difficult than I anticipated.

Chapter Two

That following morning, I was awakened by the morning sun, and the blaring of the horn from June Bug’s car. When I stepped outside, I saw Cat sitting in the passenger’s seat. Obie was driving his car, which was parked behind June Bug’s car, and JB was parked behind Obie’s car, in his parent’s Buick Electra.

If everything had gone according to plan, and it appeared so, Cat will have stolen a car from a local factory the night before and hid it near Fat James’ apartment. The car won’t be missed, but more importantly, it wouldn’t be reported stolen until after the shift had changed. By then, it will have fulfilled its’ purpose. That was the car we would use to do the job, then once we’ve counted and split the loot, we would split up, and leave in the other cars, headed in different directions.

They were quite early. I didn’t mind, and I understood. I told them to give me a minute to freshen up, and I would be right out. Excitement, and a nervous tension filled the air. It was amazing me where my life’s journey was taking me. Here I was, standing before the threshold of yet another fork in my road. I felt this day would be like no other. It certainly was starting out right.

When we arrived at Fat James’ apartment, to our shock and amazement, we found the door barely hanging on its’ hinges. We immediately drew our weapons and made eye contact with one another. From that point on, all communications was done through our eyes, or sign language. Being the established enforcer, I always lived as though I had a death wish. I positioned myself at the entrance, to ensure I’d be the first to encounter whatever may be lying in wait.

I gently pushed the door aside, as I called out to Fat James. The door slowly, and quietly opened. Although we could clearly hear Hopes’ voice answering, as she called out to us, it still wasn’t clear what was going on, so we pressed forward.