Recess: Outside Help
Chapter 1
By: Patrick Jones
T.J. Detweiler was whistling as he walked down the hallway of Third Street Elementary. He was supposed to be in class, but his teacher, Miss Grotke, had asked him to deliver some papers to the office. He was taking his sweet time walking back. He suddenly stopped whistling as he walked passed the boys washroom. He heard two muffled voices coming from inside.
"C'mon man. I just want a little sample before I buy any." Said the first voice, "I wanna make sure I'm not buying mouth garbage."
"Hey man," said the second voice, "I don't give samples, and this ain't mouth garbage, it's premium mouth candy. White gold. The finest sugar you're ever going to inhale." T.J. pushed the door open a little bit and peaked inside. He saw Randall and Hustler Kid standing together. Hustler Kid had a plastic baggy filled with tiny packets of sugar.
"Alright," Randall said reluctantly, "I'll buy three packets."
"That'll be three comic books, WITH plastic covers." Hustler Kid said. Randall handed the three comics to Hustler Kid. Hustler reached into the baggy and pulled out three sugar packets. He tossed them to Randall. Randall tore one open and poured it out onto the counter. He straightened the sugar out into lines with his protractor, and took out a dollar bill. He rolled up the bill and put it to his lips. He leaned over the sugar, and inhaled it all into his mouth.
"Oh mama!" Randall exclaimed, "That's the stuff." T.J. had seen enough. He threw the door open and barged into the washroom.
"Hey!" Yelled T.J., "What's going on here?"
"Relax man." Said Hustler Kid, "I'm just doing a little business transaction with my pal Randall."
"I saw what you're selling." Said T.J., "Sugar. You guys know what that stuff can do to a kid."
"T.J., my man," Hustler Kid replied, "everything's fine in moderation. Randall's just trying to have a good time. Isn't that right Randy?" Randall stood there, nervously sweating. His pupils had grown huge.
"Y...ya T.J.. Just trying to have a good time, y'know?" Randall said. He quickly pocketed the rest of his sugar and walked out of the room.
"You're some piece of work, you know that?" Said T.J., "Selling sugar. I expected better from you Francis."
"Hey!" Said Hustler, "That's 'Hustler Kid' to you. And c'mon Teej, you can't say you've never done it."
"Sure. I've danced with the white lady a few times in my day," replied T.J., "but buying it in a school washroom, AT CLASS TIME, something about that just ain't right. And even worse than buying it, is selling it."
"A kids gotta make a living." Said Hustler Kid, "And as long as there's demand, I will supply."
"Not if I have anything to do with it." T.J. replied.
"Look," Said Hustler Kid, "this whole thing is bigger than me, and it's a heck of a lot bigger than YOU." Hustler Kid sighed and relaxed a bit, "Look T.J., I'm not proud of what I'm doing, but it's gonna get a lot worse before it gets any better. Some shady organization has started operating in town, and they just got a huge shipment of cane from Columbia."
"What do you mean by 'cane'." Questioned T.J.
"Sugarcane." Replied Hustler Kid, "Pure. Un-cut. And even if you stop me from dealing, there's gonna be even more of these guys to take my place."
"Alright HK," said T.J., "I'll let you keep on dealing, BUT, if you get anymore info on this 'shady organization', you tell me. Alright?"
"Sure thing man." Replied Hustler kid, "I'll keep my eyes open. Now, if you'll excuse me. I gotta get back to class."