Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas

In The Beginning: Ryder

CJ awoke in a blur. It must have been noon, as sunlight peeked through the windows. Standing up, he stretched. He grabbed a bite to eat and walked outside. Glancing around the hood, he thought about Ryder.

Various green clothed gangsters walked by. One commented, "CJ, those some raggedy ass shoes."

"Why don't you go sleep with your sister, fool." CJ walked off, to Ryder's house, to drop in and say hello. CJ didn't even knock, he just walked in the door. He walked in to see Ryder smoking.

"Hey man, what you want?"

"Seein my homie. What's up with you?"

"Yeah, homie, yeah, yeah. It's good to see you back."

"No homie love? No hug?"

"Oh, for sure, for sure my nigga, my bad. What's crackin' with you?" Ryder gave CJ a hug. CJ noticed something on in Ryder's hand. A gun.

"Hey, man, what you strapped for?" CJ asked.

"Man, some pizza place keeps painting over our hit up, man! That shit is beautiful. Teach the owner a lesson. He's fucking with Grove Street. You down?"

"I'm always down."

"Ahhh, Yeah… Let's go bitch." They headed out the door. The two got into the Picador, that Ryder owned. A trashy, gangster car, kind of a purplish color.

"Eh, show me how they drive on the east coast, CJ." Ryder got into the Picador's passenger seat.

CJ got in and drove off. "Eh, Old Reece still run the barber shop?"

"Like a raggedy ass mother fucker. That guy lost his kids eight years ago."

"Yeah, I think I'll get cut up."

"What-ever. You got five minutes? I'll be cutting you like a DJ. So when you running off again?" By this time they were driving over the train tracks. 2-pac was heard in the radio. Ryder turned it up.

"I'm not, thinking of staying."

"Why?"

"My family, the homies is here."

"We were always here fool."

"Yeah, but now I'm back, and I know what I have been missing."

"Don't expect me to kiss your ass or nothin. You still a busta to me."

"Yeah, okay, thanks homie."

"Yeah, don't mention it."

Now CJ pulled up next to the barber shop. He got out and walked up to the door. As he entered, he was greeted by Old Reece with a, "Sit down son."

CJ spent his time, looking at all the haircuts until he finally decided upon an afro and 'stash.

After he was done, CJ paid him the money, and walked out. Reece murmured "Hope you stay around longer this time." As CJ exited the shop.

Ryder stood leaning up against his car, smoking. "You know, I take it back, Old Reece still got it crackin'." he said, examining his cut. He then looked behind him, at The Well Stacked Pizza. "Man, what's this? Shit looks ridiculous. no respect for the 'hood, all clean and shit. You're looking too skinny, CJ. Go and get us something to eat. I'm gonna finish this. Then I'm going to take care of business."

CJ walked up the restaurant, not saying a word. He walked up to the counter, and ordered a Double D-Luxe. After he finished it, Ryder walked up, wearing a mask, holding a pistol.

He aimed it at the employee. "Give up the money! This a raid!"

The clerk yelled, "Ryder! Not this again!"

"It ain't me, fool."

"No one else is that small! I feel sorry for your dad." Ryder got angry.

CJ stopped him, "Shit! You crazy! Let's get up outta here!"

Ryder replied, "Same old CJ. Busta! Straight busta!" The clerk pulled out a shotgun, and quickly fired it towards CJ and Ryder, missing terribly. Alerted by this, CJ and Ryder jumped, realizing the clerk had a piece, they took off for the door, Ryder yelling, "Oh shit! RUN!"

CJ and Ryder ran across the street, through traffic to the parked Picador, the clerk running after them. "This pizza parlor's no push over!" He yelled, firing three shots a CJ and Ryder. The pedestrians around the area ran away in shock. Cars drove off at high speeds.

CJ got into the drivers seat. "Get us back to Grove Street CJ!" Ryder ordered. They drove off, uninjured.

A few seconds later, they were in Ryder's driveway. Both got out of the car, looked at each other. About to depart, Ryder at last said, "Better drop by and see Sweet, he's been yapping on 'bout that graffiti, too. Later homie."

Ryder departed into his home. CJ walked along the sidewalk, to Sweet's house.