Standing with my head in the corner with thoughts swarming in my head like bees for honey time. At this point right now im confused and trying to pull my name out of all this drama that people is leading me to. At one point of time going into sports I thought I had a straight path right to the NFL or the NBA but how everything is looking I might be the fat kid who the jocks would look over and pick a rock before me, not knowing if I was good enough to play with the kids in my neighborhood I just looked at them out my window wishing I would just find the courage I use to have and just go out there and play with them. Getting sucked into all the negative acts that was happening around me and sucking me in like quick sand I didn't know what to do, I was having girl trouble for the first time in my life and I didn't want to play sports in public because I was shy I would embarrass myself, I looked at the stars at night wishing I was as high as they was where nobody could see me or talk about me because of my crazy actions I leaped in the sky but was blocked by a barrier but magical that it just zipped me to a place where I was not noticed or paid attention to, not knowing what was this strange place I ran into what I would call my turtle shell to hinder in to the soft part of it. Wishing I had a chance to go back to where I belong I evolve to a man like a worm into a butterfly, but somehow was thrusted back to earth with a rapid wind, not staying at home to my self anymore I showed the world who I was but that was just to the people in my neighborhood, I wasn't even a speck to the big world

DJ looked over at the confused lookin kid who had just shuffled into the club. He had seen him around the neighborhood. He looked like one of those kids who just didn't seem to fit in anywhere and was just desperate for acceptance.

DJ was torn. In his younger days he would have pounced on this opportunity like any of the other wolves around. A kid like that was a goldmine waiting to be tapped. He would do anything to feel like he belonged. A smart criminal could always mold a kid like that to his will and channel him into a life of crime, with a healthy cut of his earnings. It was a double bonus = easy money and another soldier who would do your dirty work with no questions asked, no charge and they would never roll on you. You were their world! Somehow though, maybe it was his age, maybe it was because he already had more money and power than most people even realized. He had no shortage of minions. Maybe it was because he was getting old and starting to think about his mortality and what might be his afterlife...a little pennance never hurt anyone. Besides, taking care of people from the neighborhood - that was one of the things that helped protect us in this thing of ours. People often confuse fear for respect. When a community fears you you are doomed. They will be nice to your face while they're spending every spare moment trying to figure out how to pay you back or get rid of you - the knife was always pointed at your back in that kind of world. And most of the people who lived that rough, violent style ended up either dead or in prison. That was the other thing about fear - when the coppers have you locked down and it looks like they can rid themselves of you the ones that merely fear you will turn you in in a heartbeat.

On the other had when you had the neighborhood's respect you were almost invincible. The people would protect you so vigorously that they might even manage to convince the cops that you really were just misunderstood saints protecting the neighborhood for all the evil in the world. In fact, it was actually the truth, or at least DJ hoped it was. He really did care about his neighborhood and he had always tried to look out for the people in it. Helping with those mysterious envelopes of cash that would appear when someone couldn't afford to go to university, or they had an illness in the family and were struggling with the bills, or they were just down on their luck. To be honest DJ really did care about his neighborhood; but in his younger days he had done some really dirty things along the way and perhaps his guilt was driving him more than his philanthropic nature.

Whatever the reason, DJ decided right then and there that he was gonna give this kid a break. He was gonna take him in and try to mold him into a solid, upright member of the community who would do the neighborhood proud ~ well, with a hand in the business too of course...

Hey Kid - come 'ere would ya - I need a hand with something...

kid walks over to the well dressed man and say in a squeaky voice,''Thanks''

All of a sudden, a man rushes in and points a gun at tjmiller.

DJ grabs the gun and tosses the kid across the room.  He smirks and then says

"Looks like you're trying to punch a rock until it breaks"

DJ examines the gun a little more closely and realizes that he's seen the rather distinctive custom pistol before.  Well, looks like an interesting assignment has come looking for you.  Why don't you take this pistol back to CrazyNine and this thug along with it.  Ask to try to keep better track of his firearms ~ I would hate for him to have to take the fall for something some thug took it into his head to do...

Looks up to my savior and say How do you do what you do and gives a joyful *smirk*

DJ turns to consider Angelo-Lombardi.

So, you have anything to say for yourself son?  Bit rash running into my club with a gat don't you think?  Could have got yourself good and dead like that

Well, don't just stand there looking like a plate of corned beef - speak up son!

Plate of corned beef?  DJ amazed himself with his own lack of oratory skill sometimes...

Suddenly DJ realized that his internal thoughts had become external..

Did I say that out loud?  I think I need a drink --- tj!  Grab me a bottle of whiskey would ya!

Corned Beef?  where the hell had that come from?  jeesh...

DJ throws this drink down the back of his throat. As he ask for another he sees his ex walk in with another guy, his cousin and it's no secret Tony been at her for awhile.

DJ slams down his glass so hard it shatters like snow falling out the sky, but it sounded like a car crash. As everybody turn and look in his direction DJ makes a beeline for his cousin.

i then recognize whats goin and step in the direction and pull him away to the bar and snaps to the bartender,"2 shots of voka for my LHM here" and tell him that,"I will take care of your cousin"*winks*

Svend walks into the club and see the arkward situation, at first he goes for that small iron dealer of death he carries ever at his back. Then he sees the look on DJs face and cant help burst out in a laugh

DJ if you need some cleaning up done ill be more than happy too

Only having guessed part of the story Svend gives but youngsters a good eyeballing

Crazy Nine walks into DJ's club after a kid ran to him and very short of breath told him something about a disturbance involving, among others, his protegee Angelo.

When he walks in he sees TJ with his old gun, the one he gave Angelo and Angelo himself across the room with his ass on the floor and a confused look. He also noticed DiamondJim close by and approaching DJ and TJ with an inquisitive look, he asks.

Can one of you explain to me what is going on here?

Nine, long time no see.  This gun look familiar?  Not quite sure what was in this young buck's head but he came running in here waving it around like he was in some kind of wild west show waving that thing all around.  Good thing the safety was on.   errrr, btw you might wanna show him how to take the safety off in case he ever actually needs to fire the damned thing  *laughter*

With a rather sad smirk Crazy Nine replies:

Well, if he's gonna wave it around like that, maybe it's a good thing he doesn't take the safety off. I wonder what the hell he understood when I told him to go to the nearest Post Office and practice a few forced withdrawals. I guess I'm gonna have to talk to him about this. I honestly thought he was ready for some useful jobs so I gave him my old gun as a gift. After this strange episode, he's gonna have to earn it back.

I apologize for the confusion and I appreciate your understanding. It is nice to meet you, TJ, although better circumstances would have been even more pleasurable.

Crazy Nine tips his hat to TJ and firmly shakes DJ's hand before grabbing Angelo's collar and pulling him up and walking him outside.

Shit, man, I'm sorry. I got a little over excited here. Word on the streets is that this bar is running drugs and arms dealing with our main rivals.  I thought I should check it out. Angelo turns away, clearly embarasssed.

Before Angelo walks out, he turns to TJ and DJ. Here's some cash it should pay for the damage.

looks at the man and laughs and say its ok man ill cover for it and sits at a table with DJand nine and says this is a pleasure to be her with two outstanding men*tilts my hat*and do any of you would mind if i bought you all drinks

Angelo suddenly stops in his tracks. Well, I supose I could stay for a drink or two...

Well, I suppose I've met people under stranger circumstances.  Not many, mind you; but...heh, you've got some balls on ya kid, I'll say that.!  I don't think I ever called any of them corned beef before though.

Angelo winks.