"Hey, man, what's up?" Brody leaned against the glass counter and glanced
at the array of electronics. The African-American behind the counter gave
Brody a glance then went back to putting together some sort of electronic
device.
p "Not a thing, how'd your night go?" 8Ball asked not looking up from his
work. The cramped room was only illuminated by 8Ball's light.
p "Almost lost an arm; a little kid punched me in the stomach; got
slapped in the face by a Triad with his fish; oh, and how can I forget, I
tripped while trying to rob some people in front of the dog food factory."
p8Ball chuckled to himself, "Dillinger, you are not." Even though his
hands were thickly bandaged, 8Ball maneuvered his fingers around the device
with the skill of a Swiss clockmaker.
p Brody shook his head, walked across the room, and sat down on the
plastic covered sofa. From underneath, he pulled an old mildew-covered
pillow and a thin sheet. He laid back and threaded his arms behind his head
looking up at nothing at all.
p"Why can't you hook me up with that Luigi guy you are always talking
about? I know you already set that other mute guy up with him. You know,
the one that ran away with Maria?"
p8Ball's face suddenly turned stern, "Yeah, that's exactly why I can't
set you up with Luigi. I'm not exactly on the best of terms with the Mafia
right now. I 'm afraid the next time they buy one of my car bombs; it'll
end up being put on my car." 8Ball put the small electronic device in the
glass counter, and locked it. He put a money pouch in his pocket and
grabbed his jacket.
pBrody shook his head, "I 'm just so sick of being shit on. You know what
I mean. Why can't I just be in the right place at the right time?"
p8Ball opened the door, "I don't believe in that crap. You make the
right place and the right time. The only thing left up to chance is if you
are the right man to make it happen. See you in the morning, bro."
p8Ball shut the door. Brody got up and turned off 8Ball's work light,
bathing the small room in darkness. He squeaked back onto the sofa and went
to sleep.
