Alley ways have bad reputations. They are always dark, stinky, and filled with hobos. Alley ways are places normal people try to avoid. That is why they are such great places for doing things you shouldn't be.
The man walking down this particular deserted alley looked like someone you would find in an office building, he wore a suit, tie, and had a blackberry sticking out of his pocket. A casual passerby would defiantly place this man firmly in the 'normal' category. But the way he was tightly grasping his leather briefcase and how his eyes were shifting back and forth to monitor his surroundings might also suggest that he was up to something fishy.
It was awfully damp and chilly for Huston in June. The asphalt was slippery under the man's leather shoes. A bead of cold sweat rolled down his forehead. He walked quickly and as quietly as he was able.
Only one dim electric light illuminated the proposed meeting place. The man waited in front of the brick wall nervously. He was too preoccupied in his thoughts to notice the figure step out of the shadows behind him and raise the pistol in their hand.
"You have brought the payment?" the figure asked the man.
The man turned around quickly to find the pistol pointed right between his eyes. The figure that held it was dressed in black, like some sort of ninja. It was undistinguishable as to whether they were male or female. They rolled their Rs and lengthened their As, suggesting that English was most likely not their first language. Their finger was on the trigger of their gun. The man swallowed.
"It's all right here." He said, gesturing to his briefcase.
"Open it." This wasn't a request.
The man held his briefcase open and the dealer (Let's just call them that, shall we?) examined the contents with their free hand, the gun never moving from its mark. The dealer spent several minutes examining the contents of the case so as to ensure their authentic y (as if anyone would be stupid enough to try to cheat him). Finally, they holstered their weapon and had the man close the briefcase and put it on the ground by their feet. The dealer then reached into their pocket and withdrew a long, black box and handed it to the man.
The man took the box slowly and tucked it inside his coat, wise enough not to question the person in front of him by examining his purchase.
"I see Alejandro has been able to do it again" said the man.
The dealer issued a low chuckle, "Next time it will not be so easy. He may require a steeper payment."
The man did not think this was funny. "I would have thought that I was paying him more than enough for his services."
"Do not try me, sir. We both know that you have far more relying on this than he."
The man didn't reply.
"I assure you that I will inform Alejandro of your issue as of payment. He may very well wish to discuss it with you himself. "
The dealer then picked up the briefcase, and strode off into the darkness. With a loud CRACK! they were gone. The man then released the large breath he hadn't known he'd been holding. He quickly walked off in the opposite direction. There was another CRACK! and the alleyway was once again deserted.
