For the next few days, Em Cal and S.D. worked hard for their protection ring. They went into town, shaking down store owners, demanding that they pay up. Slowly, but surely, the cash started flowing. Em Cal warned S.D. not to draw too much attention by spending his new riches, but S.D. insisted on throwing a big party at his house.
Meanwhile, Em Cal was struggling on the inside. Whenever Angela was around, he seemed to lose his cool hard composure. He usually caught himself thinking of her on his free time. He didn't know what it was about her.
"Look at this, man," said S.D. throwing a pile of 100 dollar bills on the counter. "We're making a killer, Cal!"
"Keep your goddamn voice down and put that away hissed Em Cal. "What're you doing at my bar anyways?"
"I came down here to thank you for all of your help, man," said S.D. "I also came down here to tell you that the party's on Friday at 10. You're on the VIP list usually didnt like social gatherings, but since Angela was likely to be there, he said,"I'll be there. But don't you think you're celebrating a little early? I mean what we're doing takes alot of hard work. We have to fight to make sure we stay on top."
"Ah, come on Cal," said S.D., "why do you take everything so seriously? Learn to have fun a little."
"Killin' is all the fun I need," said Em Cal. "Are you going to order a drink or what?"
"I told you I don't drink anymore." said S.D. "Just give me a virgin screwdriver."
Em Cal shook his head in embarrassment. With the rep that his bar had, guys didn't just come in and order virgin drinks. They got taken care of pretty quickly.
Beef came trudging over to the counter, a worried look on his face.
"What's wrong?" Em Cal asked.
"Ed's supposed to fight Bones tonight," said Beef. "And Ed's broken a couple of ribs. What're we going to do? We don't have a replacement."
"I think I've found someone to fight Bones," said Em Cal. "S.D., time to show how tough you are now, you're fighting tonight."
Em Cal expected S.D. to cower in fear and come up with an excuse to back out of the fight. But instead, S.D. finished his drink and said. "Alright."
"The fight's in 20 minutes," said Em Cal. "Use that 20 minutes to get yourself ready."
S.D. nodded and walked away. Beef looked at Em Cal, disbelief and amusement etched on his face.
"Are you serious, Em Cal, him?" he said. "Bones will eat that big eared shrimp alive."
"I'm going to bet money on him," said Em Cal
Beed looked at Em Cal as if he were a different person
"Are you serious?"
"As a heart attack."
"Then I'm doubling my bet," said Beef. "This should be interesting."
Bones was tall with a large gut and ham like fists. He was bald with beady green eyes. He jutted his chin as Beef introduced him. The crowd cheered. When Beef introduced S.D., there was scattered applause. They like Beef thought S.D. didn't stand a chance.
"I'm going to fuck you up, you little runt." said Bones.
As the fight started, Bones slugged S.D. twice. S.D. fell to the ground, blood pouring from his lips profusely. The crowd cheered loudly as S.D. staggered to his feet. Bones swung at S.D. once more this time connecting with his gut. S.D. grunted in pain.
"You might as well hand over your money now, Em Cal." said Beef. "Pretty boy's getting his ass handed to him."
Em Cal didn't answer. As Bones attempted another punch. Surprisingly, he missed. S.D. crouched down and leg swept Bones. As Bones scrambled to get to his feet, S.D. roundhouse kicked him in the face, bloodying his eye. Bones growled and charged at S.D., but he sidestepped him, but S.D. evaded him by doing a side somersault, sending Bones crashing into the pinball machine. S.D. took advantage, with jabs to to Bones' kidney area.
"He's holding up well thought Em Cal.
Bones got up and grabbed S.D. by the throat. The crowd chanted. Bones! Bones! as S.D.'s face turned blue.
"Die you bastard, die," Bones rasped. S.D. sputtered and gasp. Everything was fading to black...he had to do something.
Desperately, S.D. drove a knee right into Bones' groin. Bones howeled in pain, releasing his hold. Breathing hard, S.D. kicked Bones repeatedly in the legs and knees. After he successfully brought Bones down to his knees, S.D. jumped on the bar's counter, jumped again and kicked Bones square in the jaw, causing Bones' neck to snap back as he fell to the ground unconcious.
There was a stunned silence as S.D. was announced the winner. S.D. held his side and made his way back to the bar. Em Cal reachd into his pocket and pulled out a wad of cash.
"Two thousand dollars." he said. "Good job, boy"
"Thanks," said S.D. "That bastard sure could pack a punch though."
"You set two records, you know." said Em Cal. "Nobody's been able to beat Bones. And nobody's been able to gain an offense against him."
He gave S.D. a look of deep respect; something that he would have never done a year ago.
"Thanks Cal," said S.D. "Listen, let me have another virgin screwdriver and I'll be on my way. I have to get back to the shop."
Em Cal looked at the multicolored lights and everybody at the dance floor, covered in soap suds. He hated it.
"Yo Cal, glad you could make it," said S.D. He had on a tan suit with a black fedora and leather shoes. "Let me introduce you to the rest of the VIP."
The VIP consisted of S.D.'s Sensei, three of his friends that Em Cal did not know, and four women who looked as if they could be swimsuit models. They all goggled at Em Cal as if he were some sort of celebrity.
"Now that everyone's acquainted, let's boogie," said S.D.
Everyone, except Em Cal went to the dance floor. The DJ was playing techno music, which Em Cal hated. He went to the liquor table and pourself himself a shot of Jack Daniels. He bumped into Angela, who was holding a can of Joose, looking bored.
"Hey, Angela," said Em Cal. "Not having fun, huh?"
"Not my type of party," said Angela. "A party's not a party unless there's alot of drugs and a bunch of people in the middle of the floor, having an orgy."
"I hear ya," said Em Cal. "Listen, do you want to get out of here?"
"Why the hell not?" said Angela. "I'm sick of all of these lights flashing in my eyes."
Em Cal and Angela both got on the Indiana. It was then when Em Cal said. "I know where we can have some real fun."
"Really," said Angela, sounding intrigued "Where?"
"There's a truck full of cigarettes that comes off the intersection every Friday night. What do you say we go and hijack it?"
"Hijack?" said Angela. "Oooh, you're one dangerous man, Em Cal."
The both of them rode around the intersection for half an hour looking for the truck. They finally found it, taking the ramp to Manson Freeway.
"Here's the plan!" shouted Em Cal when they were close to the truck. "You're going to jump onto the truck and knock the driver out of the truck. Then we'll drive the truck back to my place and empty put the cigarettes into my house for the time being. You dig?"
"Yeah I dig!" Angela shouted back. "Just a little closer, Em Cal. Try to match the truck's speed!"
When Em Cal got close enough to the door, Angela leapt onto the truck and opened the door. It took a while, but Angela finally managed to throw the driver out of the truck and take the wheel. Em Cal wheeled the Indiana to where the trucker layed at and pulled out a 40 S&W. Then, he unloaded its contents into the trucker's body. He drove back to the truck, and got off it, walking up to the truck, where Angela was sitting in the driver's seat.
"Hey Angela," Em Cal said. "Follow me to my house."
"Sure thing." said Angela.
The huge truck followed the Indiana to Em Cal's place. When they finally reached it. Angela and Em Cal unloaded the truck full of cigarettes and stocked them into Em Cal's living room.
"Now what?" asked Angela.
"After we get rid of this truck we go back to the party and tell S.D. about a way to make more money." said Em Cal. "He'll be happy when he hears.
"That was fun though," said Angela. "I've done alot of crazy shit, but jumping off a bike and onto a truck was one of the craziest."
Angela," said Em Cal. "Would you like to have dinner with me?"
Angela seemed taken aback, but recovered as quick as a flash.
"Sure, I'd like that." she said.
"Excellent," said Em Cal, "Tomorrow at seven?"
"Cool," said Angela. "I'll be expecting you at seven or else."
As they climbed backinside the truck, Em Cal smiled to himself.