Jack from the Row

by Jack Saint

Nathan is a fifteen year old teenager, revolted by the world and its justice. Brilliant, intelligent, cold and taciturn, his destiny is turned upside down when he is accidentally recruited by the Third Street Saints, a street gang that preaches for a better world for the Saints Row ghetto. For the best and especially the worst.

12. 1-11 : Head in the stars, feet on earth

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Chapter 11: Head in the stars, feet on Earth.

November 1995 - Julius' apartment - Saints Row.

« You will be cowardly and impotent

Resigned, submissive, depressing

Insufficient, not adapted, spectator in the ditch

You will be alone, divorced, childless, remarried

Alcoholic, adulterer, unworthy son, bad brother

You will be bitter, too severe

Unhappy, always angry

Despicable, undrinkable, selfish, unbearable

You will be what you are told, you will not argue

Down here, that's how it is

Have you understood the game, you little shit?

It's roulette, you don't choose

Oh yeah you think so?

Well listen, I don't know about you, but for me it'll be

Head up, one fist on the table

And the other in the air, trust me

Before I end up six feet under, I'll have lived through everything there is to live through

And I'll have done everything I can do

I'm gonna do everything I can do

And above all I would have loved »

Benjamin and Julius finished their little party at dawn, while Jack struggled to get up and drag himself to school.

Given the noise the two men had made, he hadn't been able to sleep all night, and that annoyed him greatly. He'd done the job alone, risked his life for Benjamin, and now Julius almost looked at him as if none of it had happened.

As he readjusted the knot in his uniform tie, Julius finally took an interest in him.

- Ah boy, how are you? Did you sleep well?

The look on Jack's face and the glare he gave Julius were pretty clear, but the man didn't understand.

- I think we've earned a day off today. I'll check with Benjamin to see how we're doing before we strike one last blow against what's left of the Vice Kings. We're so close to the end, I can hardly believe it.

- Yeah, that's cool," Jack said morosely.

- Are you going out? Julius asked.

- Well, yeah, I have class.

- Okay, I want you to come by the church as soon as your school day is over, okay?

Jack didn't say anything to save himself from saying something he would regret, but he wondered when he could sleep.

- Well, I'm going to get some rest. See you later, Playa," Julius said without an ounce of empathy as he stretched.

The young Saint refrained from making any remarks, but for the first time since joining the gang, he didn't feel respected and sincerely hoped that it was just an impression.

He took the road to the school and struggled not to fall asleep. There was no way he was going to miss classes... The shadow of the detention center was still looming dangerously over him and he was really afraid to go there.

Tyrone found his friend a little haggard, who obviously didn't feel like talking. He didn't lecture him, their teacher had already done so when he found Jack asleep on his copy. But for once, Jack apologized flatly and without making a fuss, for fear of ending up in the principal's office.

At lunchtime, Jack sat still over his lunch and just smoked in front of Tyrone, who was getting worried.

- You're exhausted... said his friend.

- I'm at the end of my rope," Jack confirmed.

- Maybe you should go back to boarding school.

- I'd rather die, yeah.

- Don't tell me you're sleeping outside?

- No, no, don't worry. I'm sleeping at Julius', but he was with a friend of his last night and I didn't sleep a wink.

- He doesn't respect you much...

- Don't say that Tyrone, frankly, I don't want to hear that right now. It's hard to deal with everything. The crew, the school, my girl.

- You got a girl?

- Oh, didn't I tell you? I'm working on a case right now.

- Cool, tell me.

- She's the sister of my friend Johnny's girlfriend, I didn't have time to see him last night, he had to tell me about his party.

- A nice girl?

- Yeah, I like that kind of girl. I want to get involved with her, you know.

- What the hell! We're becoming a man! I'm happy for you! Have you guys ever... ?

- Nah," smiled Jack. But I've had a little taste of the merchandise, so I'll take it.

The two boys went into a fit of laughter.

- But you'd better take care of yourself, Nate. The exams are coming up, it would be really bad if you got sick.

- Yeah, well... If only my mother could get out of the house for good, I'd be happy...

- Doesn't it piss you off that your mom is going so far away?

Jack took a few seconds to think about it before nodding his head to say no.

- I don't think so. It's my brother I'm upset about. In fact, I've never felt like I had a mother. Everyone I know, when they talk about their mothers, it's either to say that they're a pain in the ass and that they love them, or to say that she's the most important person in their lives. I don't have that kind of relationship with her. In fact, I don't think I like her. I don't feel anything for her.

- She gave you life anyway.

- I didn't ask her for anything. Especially since I was neither wanted nor desired. You know, it's not easy to hear that nobody loves you when your only fault is to have been born one day.

- I love you buddy," smiled Tyrone.

- I'm glad you're here Ty. I love you too, but no homo eh.

- No homo, man.

The two boys burst out laughing and left the dining hall to go outside with some other boys to smoke before going back to school.

They chatted quietly between laughs, like a normal group of teenagers.

Jack sensed that something was changing. The way the other students looked at him, the way they spoke to him, he knew that he had become a lot more confident, the shy, withdrawn, insecure kid who was destroyed in his head. Even though joining a gang was probably not the best thing that could happen to a lost kid, it transformed Jack in a very short time. He had gained a lot of self-confidence, expressed himself much more freely and dared to talk about himself, his likes and dislikes, and sharing this with other people finally gave him the status he had always needed.

Nathan, who only existed through others, was inexorably disappearing in favor of Jack, this man in the making who was captivating the crowds.

Even the young girls looked at him differently, which did not displease him!

Jack definitely had everything going for him.

If only he had made the right choices.

This interlude was interrupted by the arrival of the pedo, who came breathlessly towards the group of teenagers.

- Collins, you're summoned by the principal. Right away.

Jack did not hide his surprise. Apart from his absence from boarding school, validated by his fake father, he hadn't had much to complain about lately.

- Why? he asked brazenly.

- I don't know and I don't care, the director wants you in his office now.

- But is he serious?

- He didn't do anything, sir," intervened Ty to help his friend.

- I don't care, if he doesn't come, it's not going to go well.

- I go there. Putain de merde. Jack grumbled before throwing his cigarette on the ground.

Upset, he followed the supervisor without really understanding what he had done to deserve to be summoned. They arrived in front of the principal's office, who invited them in. He thanked the supervisor and asked Jack to sit down.

The teenager was suspicious. The principal was not alone in his office; two men and a woman were already there. They weren't smiling, and in their smart suits, they didn't look particularly trustworthy.

Jack sat down in his chair, very uncomfortable, he was suddenly very afraid that they were people from the FBI, who had come to ask him questions about his activities with the Saints. He would not be able to escape the detention center or the prison if ever... Before the director spoke, he had time to think of many different scenarios.

- Good morning Nathan, the principal said with a big, friendly smile.

- 'morning. The teenager replied, very embarrassed.

The other three people greeted him discreetly.

- What am I doing here? Jack asked.

- Nathan, have you ever thought about what you want to do later? The woman asked.

- You mean as a professional?

- Yes, I have.

- Well, I don't know. I would like to have a career related to numbers, calculations ... Engineer, financial director, mathematician. Concretely I don't know exactly. But in numbers or physics, for sure.

- The stars, the planets, do they speak to you a little or not at all? asked one of the men.

- In what kind of way?

- Nathan, the director intervened. These people are recruiters from NASA. They were impressed by your level of mathematics and your exceptional analytical skills.

- I was told that you were also a synesthete? the man said.

- Uh ... Yes.

- Color graphics, right?

- Not only. Numerical and space-time.

- Can you tell me a little bit about all this?

- It's difficult to explain ... Basically, I see the numbers in color, so I can associate them very quickly. But then I can line them up in ... How can I say this? In an upward axis, you know... ? Like a semicircle in fact that I can mentally turn to match series or dates. I think of it as a spatial construction and then I have a result that is very clear. It helps me a lot in my calculations, thanks to the colors and the circle, I just have to reposition everything in my mind, I rarely make mistakes and I can go very fast.

- Do the numbers have a particular taste or smell?

- What? Jack didn't understand.

- Do you have this gift from birth? asked the woman.

- I think so. I don't know, when it was discovered, I wasn't aware that I was different in fact... I always thought that way, I didn't know that others did otherwise. But why are you asking me all this? I have been examined hundreds of times about this. I've been told that there are lots of other people like me and that it's not as rare as you'd expect.

- Don't panic Nathan, the director said.

- I'm not panicking. I'm just asking.

- You are fifteen years old, right? Your analytical skills are absolutely amazing for a boy of your age. Where are you going to study next year? Are you trying to get into a math college?

- I got into Sunnyvale University. It has a good reputation and I have the grades.

- But not the attitude," said the director. Your application has not yet been confirmed.

- We have a proposal for you," said one of the men. We are interested in your profile and NASA would like to recruit you.

Jack was speechless and thought he was being played. He was undoubtedly gifted, but that doesn't mean that recruiters would come to him in person.

- Are you here to offer me a job at NASA?

- No, you're a little young," laughed one of the men. But we have a real offer. Next year, Harvard is offering a very high-level mathematics class, reserved for people with extraordinary potential and ability. We'd like you to take the test and if you're successful, your education will be fully funded and you'll be taken on as an intern at NASA. In the long run, we hope to see you get tenure after you finish school.

- A NASA intern? Jack repeated. And at Harvard?

- The way is that you'll become an astrophysicist and be part of a team of only the best. What do you think?

He didn't think anything of it. It seemed unreal to him.

- But... Next year I'll only be sixteen. How am I going to live on my own at Harvard?

- Everything will be taken care of, don't worry about that. Housing, tuition, travel if necessary, utilities, food. You have nothing to worry about.

- And where exactly is Harvard...?

- Cambridge. In Massachusetts.

- That's a long way from here. And I have no one there.

- We realize that this is a big decision in your young life, but it's a rare opportunity that will change the course of your life. Maybe it's worth it to be away from your parents and girlfriends for a while, right? Tried the woman.

It wasn't his family or his "girlfriends" he was thinking about.

- Should I answer now? Jack hesitated, a little disturbed.

- No, of course not. You have time to prepare yourself, boy," said the man, trying to sound sympathetic and understanding. But places are expensive, even when you're one of the elite. You won't really get another chance like this.

Jack sensed that someone was trying to pressure him.

- Well, I'll think about it," he replied cheekily, giving the recruiters a determined look.

- This is the chance of a lifetime, Nathan," the principal insisted.

- I have class in ten minutes, can I go?

- Yes, of course. We'll talk about it if you want.

- We'll see, Jack concluded, grabbing his bag, throwing it on his back and moving his chair back so that his feet scraped against the floor with an unpleasant noise. Gentlemen. Madam. Excuse me.

He left the room without paying more attention to the recruiters.

- Charming boy... Ironized the woman.

- He has a little explosive temperament but he has come a long way. He has an alcoholic and incarcerated father, an absent and overworked mother, it has not always been easy for him. But with a severe frame, he is quite manipulable and easy to contain, explained the director.

- He's still a genius," said the man, reading a huge file.

- He has an IQ of 159," said the director. He is also perfectly bilingual and has very good physical abilities. He's just a little immature.

- He's intellectually impressive. So at worst, we'll train him a bit to fit in. A kid stands up.

- He's still very young," said the woman. It won't be very difficult to get him back on the right track. In any case, what other perspective will he have in life?

- Probably none," admitted the director. He wants to get out and be somebody. No doubt he'll do anything to get there, I have no doubt.

If Jack had overheard a traitorous death of his adults talking for him, no doubt it would have upset him greatly. Fortunately, he was heading back to his classroom for his next class while thinking about the NASA recruiters' proposal.

Being an intern for them was a great recognition but also an unexpected way to get out of Saints Row. The young boy was honored, but also anxious about the prospect. And Harvard was so far away when at last he felt like he had friends and family here in Michigan. Jack was a little lost, sitting in his chair and cogitating.

- Hey," Tyrone quietly called out to him. So, what did the director tell you?

- You're not going to believe this.

The teacher passed between the tables and the two teenagers remained silent, pretending to be concentrated. As soon as his back was turned, they began their low masses again.

- I've been offered a scholarship to Harvard and an internship at NASA," Jack told him.

- But seriously? What did he tell you?

- I'm not kidding. They're looking for astrophysicists and they want to train me for that.

Ty looked at him with a smile, not sure if he was joking or not. But his friend's expression didn't change, so he finally had a doubt before taking him seriously.

- To NASA! Tyrone repeated much louder than he intended.

- Mr. Mills," the professor called out. Do you have a problem?

- Mr. Mills! Nate is going to work for NASA!

- Eeeh … Stammered the interested boy.

- Well, Collins," the professor asked. Are you being funny now?

- No, I'm not. I've just been summoned. But Ty misunderstood. I'm not going to work for NASA, I'm just likely to get in as a trainee if I pass the Harvard admission.

- You've been offered a place in the elite math class?

- Yes. But I don't know if I have the level.

The other students were all focused on Jack, who was finally pleased with the attention.

- Congratulations Collins, it's quite an accomplishment in itself to be able to claim the competition. You are undoubtedly gifted, it would be a great pride for me to have been the teacher of a future NASA engineer. Keep up the good work.

- Thank you," Jack smiled.

It seemed to him that for once he was doing well and commanding the respect of his peers and seniors.

At 3:00 p.m. sharp, Jack rushed through the halls to leave the school and meet up with the Saints as Julius had asked. As he closed his locker door, he was surprised to see Lindsay waiting just behind.

- Hi," she said politely.

He looked at her without emotion. She was still awfully sexy, but he didn't forget that she was a dark bitch either.

- I heard you're going to work for NASA, congratulations. I always knew you'd be something Nathan.

- Yeah, too bad you'd rather suck off someone else.

- Don't be rude, will you?

He readjusted his bag on his shoulder and reached into his suit pocket to check that he had his cigarettes.

- Didn't we already say everything?

- I think it's a too bad we had a fight. You know, I've applied to Harvard too, so maybe we'll both go there next year," Lindsay explained.

Jack wasn't surprised; she was bright and serious. And her parents had enough money to be convincing no matter what.

- Don't bother Lindsay, I have a new girlfriend.

- Oh, you know, I've got someone too.

- Who's that? Jack quipped, and was touched more than he expected.

- Bill Shipton, the captain of the soccer team.

- What about that arrogant bastard? He's got to feel better about himself now that he's hit the jackpot.

- You consider me a jackpot? Lindsay pointed out mischievously.

His smile was devastating, and she knew it.

- It's just a figure of speech, don't get carried away.

- And you, who is your new girlfriend? Asked the young woman, curious.

- She's from my neighborhood, she doesn't go to this school. You don't know her.

- From your neighborhood, huh? So a ghetto girl.

- Not at all, she's well brought up. She has values, principles and she's faithful, which is a change for me," said Jack.

- And what does she want to do later? Cleaning lady? Housewife? Crack dealer?

- You can stick your condescension up your ass, Lindsay.

- You and I both know it won't last. You're too smart for the average person, Nate.

- And you're not stupid enough for Bill Shipton and his two and a half brain cells. What the hell are you doing with him?

- He's nice.

- And very dumb.

- No, you're exaggerating. You don't know him.

- I know him well enough to know he's a first-class asshole.

- Here, do you have a tattoo? Lindsay remarked when she saw the fleur-de-lis sticking out of his shirt.

Jack readjusted his collar in order to hide it a little and remained silent in front of her question.

- I think you've changed a lot," Lindsay continued. You've become much more confident in the last few months. I think you're even radiant than before.

- Radiant? I was never radiant, what are you talking about? I'm taciturn and cold.

- I think you're radiant. Anyway, I just wanted to say that I'd like to stay in your life, Nate. I mean, we were a good team for school work on top of everything else...

- I don't know, I just... I was really disappointed about you.

- My door is still open though. See you soon Nate.

Lindsay winked at him before turning around, twirling her long hair in front of him. She was even more beautiful than she had been just a few months ago, and Jack felt his throat tighten as she walked away.

Inside the Third Street Church, Julius looked upset and annoyed, and his boys had no idea why.

They'd done a good job lately, though, and had come close to eradicating the Vice Kings, which was quite an accomplishment, considering the gangsta babies they were...

Jack entered the church and greeted his closest friends with a fist bump.

- Hey bro," said Johnny.

- Johnny, you didn't fucking tell me about your night!

- Not right now, Julius is reverent, but I don't know why.

- Ah shit.

- My boys," Julius said as he gathered his men around him. Even though we've done a good job lately, I'd like to remind you that the war is far from over. Tanya is still alive, but she's nowhere to be found and that upsets me greatly.

- But Jul, it's Johnny and his team who... argued a Saint.

- I don't care who does what. I want that bitch. But that's not all. While talking to a close friend, I also pointed out a problem within the gang.

- Ouch, that sounds like trouble," sighed Dex.

- We're not making enough money, and that's starting to weigh heavily on the balance. So yeah, we got a lot of stuff from those dead sons of bitches and from Green's place, but it won't be enough to make it. Boys, it's time to get down to business.

Julius' speech made Jack wince. He had been sacrificing all his free time and sleep for the Saints all along and didn't take the remark very well.

- Damn it, Jul, we're already into it! What more do you want us to do? Johnny replied, not so shy.

- We need money to run our business.

- We've got money!

- Not enough for the ambitions we have.

- And what ambitions do we have exactly? Dex asked, not happy either.

- That's bullshit, it's not money we need. It's respect and that's exactly what we do! says Johnny.

- We can be ghetto guys too, but is that what you really want? asked Julius.

- But that's what we are! What's the big deal?!

- Shut up, Johnny," Julius told him.

He probably wasn't the sharpest strategist or the sharpest knife in the drawer, but for the time being, many of the Saints silently agreed with Johnny.

- How do you think Colombians stay competitive in the city? Do you think that all it takes is good will? It doesn't work like that, we need more money, more means to permanently paint the city purple.

- We'll end up being too greedy... Dex remarked.

- What, what are you insinuating?

- Nothing, nothing," said the young man.

Julius continued his megalomaniac speech in front of his boys of less and less convinced.

- It's King who's been blowing his mind, that's for sure," Johnny whispered to his friends beside him.

- No doubt. The Saints are going to become the new VK, he doesn't realize it, Jul," Dex agreed.

- Is he so desperate for recognition that he's acting this way? asked Jack.

- I don't know, man, but clearly he's just found a way to shine more than King and he likes it.

- It must be hard to keep a straight face when you have so much power.

- Not all kings are crazy. But the ones that are, usually end badly.

- Are you planning the death of our leader? Jack joked.

- No, you idiot. But he should stay humble, otherwise he might get it one day.

- I'll defend him.

- Don't be too much of a goody-goody either, he might take advantage of it," Johnny warned him.

- He won't be the first.

- Well, what do we do then to please Jul? Dex asked with a sigh.

- I don't know," Johnny grumbled. It bores me. I thought we were supposed to be taking care of the opposing gangs, not making money for who knows what. I'm not interested in that.

- You're not interested in money?

- Well, not that much.

- But you are interested in something in life, man?

- Well, yeah. Aisha, guns, food, MMORPGs.

- What about you, Playa? Do you want to get some money? Dex looked back at his friend.

- Yes. Definitely.

- Well then, we'll just have to come up with a plan. An idea?

- Dealer?

- Yeah, no. With the Carnales, I've been seeing them all day, I'd like to see something else.

- Well we could uh... I don't know how we make money actually... Johnny admitted, at a loss for ideas.

- Um, when I went to get C4 to rig the car with Aisha, we went to a Chop Shop run by a guy named Samson. Seems to me he was paying guys to bring him cases," says Jack.

- What kind of crates? Dex was interested.

- Not crazy stuff, I guess. At least, it seemed pretty standard.

Dex and Johnny looked at each other and shrugged. After all...why not?

The three young Saints made their way to Samson's garage, located in Mission Beach. They entered cautiously, as the place didn't seem very safe. A tall black man with impressive dreadlocks and a strangely neat beard looked up at the Saints, who had remained silent before him.

- What do you want? Samson asked as he continued to fiddle with a car.

- Are you Samson? asked Dex.

- Yeah, and who are you?

- Playa," Jack introduced himself, pushing his two friends. I'm one of Jul's guys, I was here to get some C4, remember?

Samson looked at the boy again and took the trouble to look at him more carefully.

- Oh yeah, I remember you boy. You're not with your pretty girlfriend anymore?

- Hey, that's my girl! Johnny said, realizing he was talking about Aisha.

- Relax man. What do you guys want anyway?

- We're looking for a job," said Jack.

- I'm not looking for a mechanic right now.

- Not that kind of job.

The two men smiled at each other. Without saying more, they understood each other completely. Samson tried the grease marks on his already dirty khaki green shirt and stood up. He rummaged in a drawer and took out a crumpled piece of paper that he handed to the boys.

- I don't want to know how and where they came from. I just want those vehicles.

The three saints gathered around to read the paper, which contained only vehicle markings. Samson quietly polished off a license plate without concern for the Saints.

- Perfect. Fucking perfect. Check this out, man," he said to Jack. Can you believe that? Four assholes got shot in this crate, and it looks like it came from the factory.

- What, is this a bargain? said Johnny.

- My services are in high demand, guys. So if you could bring me a few extra cases, we could make some extra money. What do you think?

- Carjacking," said Dexter.

- Not necessarily. You can find them in a parking lot, I don't care.

- It's carjacking, guys, are we in business? asked Johnny. I don't take an old lady out of a car and steal it.

- Diego from the gang is an expert in this, maybe we could ask him for advice? Dex suggested.

Without saying a word, the three young people agreed with a simple glance and went back to the church to beg for help from Diego Mendoza, a 21-year-old Hispanic who had already committed several crimes and had a lot of trouble with the police, who knew him well.

Diego was immediately excited by the idea and honored to be sought out for his "talents". So, as soon as night fell on the city, he took his new followers to go around the parking lots in search of one of the cars on Samson's list and after some research, they finally found the desired vehicle.

- There it was! A 1964 Chevrolet Impala," Dex pointed to a car.

- Perfect, just what Samson is looking for," confirmed Jack.

- Okay, guys, Johnny, you keep watch, the other two with me! Diego ordered.

He was already forcing the car door with a hanger and a screwdriver.

- When the car is closed, you just have to grab the little button to open the doors and that's it! Diego explained.

- And the screwdriver?

- It's to create a small opening to slide the hanger.

An explanation being worth less than a demonstration, Diego wedged his screwdriver before inserting the unfolded coat hanger, to which he had made a small and practical hook that got stuck on the door opening button. With remarkable dexterity, he managed to unlock the door.

- And here, my pretty, you and me !

- Damn Diego, you are too strong! exclaimed Jack.

- Hé hé, thanks. Years of experience. Now come here, I'm going to take off the cover. On old cars, it's easy, you just have to break the pins with the screwdriver, explained Diego while tearing off the cover. Can you see? There are several wires. This is the starter, the battery and the igniter. This one is the turn signals and the rest is the windshield wipers. It's the first wire that we're interested in, obviously.

Dex and Jack did not miss anything of the small tutorial of Diego, completely fascinated by the knowledge of the young man.

- We delicately spread the beams and now we just have to identify the wires. The ignition is the brown one and the yellow one is the starter. Sometimes it can change, you have to know the cars well, otherwise you get electrocuted ...

- Shit, it looks hard actually," Dex worried.

- But no, it's like anything else, you have to learn.

Diego continued his explanations and wound the two wires together, which lit up the dashboard under the admiring eyes of the two boys. Finally, he connected the starter wire to the battery wire and with a spark and a few strokes of the gas pedal, the car started.

- Damn, Diego, you're really amazing! exclaimed Jack as he climbed into the passenger seat.

- Don't get excited, there's still one more step.

A big "Crack" was heard after Diego gave a big push with all his strength.

- Now it's done," he said with pride.

- Did you just break the wheel? Dex was surprised.

- No, silly. I broke the steering lock. Unless you're going in a straight line, it would have been a problem to drive with that thing in place. Now you're free, you can turn and drive it without any trouble.

- Fucking dope" Jack exclaimed in admiration. How do you know all this?

- Oh, my dad taught me. Let's just say he was in the business a little bit, so he taught me and my little brother.

- So cool.

- Come on, Johnny," Dex called out to him. Get in the car and we'll take it to Samson!

The four Saints took the car back to the mechanic who was delighted to see such a car in his workshop. As agreed, he rewarded the young men with $2,000, and they were delighted with their catch. Diego refused the money, too happy to have made a splash that night and with the money in his hands, the boys saw it as an unexpected opportunity to have a little fun.

- Damn, it's incredible, we hardly wanked and we make 666 dollars each, says Johnny, delighted.

- It's still the devil's number, it's a bad omen, right? Says Dex, looking at his bills.

- You can always give it all to Jul.

- Yeah, I'll go to confession after all.

The two boys looked at each other with a knowing glance. Of course they had no desire to share it with the crew.

- It's crazy to know that you can make so much money in such a short time, isn't it? That makes me think... Jack admitted.

- What's the big deal? So you want to become a full-time gangster? Dex scoffed.

- I already am, aren't I?

- Yeah, right. So, what do we do with the money? We give it to Julius?

- Hell, no. I don't know about you, but I think it should go to us. After all, we're doing enough for the gang and this operation was our own initiative! There are enough Saints and some of them don't get off their asses like we do," said Johnny. I'll tell you what, let's go get a drink, then we'll go back to look for a car and this time we'll give the money to Jul.

- Two cars in one evening? Jack asked.

- It's okay, Diego showed you how to do it, right? Come on, let's get a little business together!

- Why not after all.

The boys managed to get their heads together and after having robbed the local convenience store of alcohol, cigarettes and supplies, they returned, their arms full of bags, to go around the parking lots.

- There, there! Johnny said when he saw a car that looked like the one on the paper.

- Are you sure? Jack asked.

- Yeah, it's a Ford Bronco, look, he wants one!

- You're damn right! Perfect, we'll get it!

All excited and a bit pumped up thanks to the whiskey they were drinking more than they should, Jack and Johnny went to put their new talents to the test, under the eye of Dex who was not to be outdone.

- First the hanger, you have to unfold it," Jack explained.

- Go ahead, I want to do it! Said Johnny, snatching it out of his hands.

- If you want. You have to make a kind of small hook.

- Like this? Johnny asked, twisting the end.

- Yes, that sounds good. Now, you have to insert it through the top of the door by pressing on it with a screwdriver or something hard.

Dex passed the screwdriver to his friend, who forced the door open a bit. Johnny took the opportunity to insert the coat hanger.

- Should I grab this thing here?

- Yeah, it's to open the door," confirmed Jack.

- Damn, hard.

- Diego did it in two.

- But he's a rascal. I'm a choirboy next to him.

Jack chuckled as he took another sip of alcohol and shook his head as he felt the liquid burning his throat.

- I'll be right back, guys, I'm going to take a quick leak," Jack warned them.

- That's fine. You can take your time, we'll be here all night at this rate," sighed Dex.

- Shut up, look, I almost have it," Johnny defended himself.

- But not at all, look, you did not force the opening enough, said Dex while passing his finger in the interstice of the door.

This was obviously the moment Johnny chose to move the screwdriver, and the door fell back on Dex's finger, who began to scream.

- HOLY CRAP! YOU BITCH!

- Oops," Johnny said simply.

Dex, who was usually so calm, shouted obscenities so violently that he didn't pay attention to the police patrol coming up behind them.

- GIMME THIS! he shouted to Johnny as he took the screwdriver.

He finally freed his finger, with the nail already blackened with blood, which he brought to his lips to relieve him.

- Why did you put your finger, you idiot ?

Before he could answer, Dex and Johnny were illuminated by the flashlight of one of the two policemen who had come discreetly from behind.

- Well, well. What do we have here?

- Shit... Johnny said in a breath.

- Hands above your head," ordered the other policeman.

- We didn't do anything, sir," Dex defended himself.

But on the ground, the cops soon noticed the screwdriver and the unfolded coat hanger. They weren't fooled enough to believe for a second that the two teenagers were there by chance. The two policemen pointed at the Saints, who complied, seeing no way out.

- Both hands on the car, and let's go!

- But we didn't do anything... Johnny repeated, before being shoved onto the hood.

Dex suffered the same fate, even though he was cooperating.

- Hey, take it easy..." he said.

But the cop didn't hear him that way and pointed his gun directly at the young man.

- Believe me, no one will mourn the loss of a nigger like you.

- You can't tell him that," Johnny defended him.

- Shut up Ching chong. We don't like your community either.

- Besides, the death of two thugs won't make the people of the city sad, the policeman assured him.

- You're scum! Dex defended himself, outraged.

Well hidden behind a car, Jack listened to the scene without really believing it. He had never really been confronted with racism, at least as far as he was concerned, although he knew that many of his friends had already suffered from it. The Row was so multi-ethnic that he had always known people from very different backgrounds than himself and it was only natural that he had always looked upon them kindly and without distinction.

With Johnny and Dex in a bad way and in the grip of regulations that had nothing to do with their crime, Jack sneaked up behind one of the policemen and gave him a chokehold, allowing Dex to free himself. The second officer turned to his colleague and was surprised and annoyed by the situation.

- Let go of my friend," Jack ordered.

- Oh, you're making a big mistake, boy," the officer warned.

- I won't say it again.

- You let go of my colleague, and you're going to gently put your hands on the hood of that car if you don't want trouble.

In his arms, the first officer looked asphyxiated, but Jack didn't let go of his embrace. No matter what he did, he'd be in trouble with the police, so he might as well give it his all. Without anyone expecting it, he reached into the policeman's pocket and pulled out a tazer, which he used on the man who was threatening him. He fell to the ground, shocked, in front of the astonished eyes of Dex and Johnny. Jack made sure that the second policeman fell unconscious and it was with the two inert bodies of the law enforcement officers that the boys were let off the hook.

- Damn it, man! Dex said, shocked.

- What a bunch of bastards... Jack hissed.

- Just like all the cops in this town. Well, you can't say we didn't deserve it, but they always have to add an unnecessary layer of racism..." said Johnny.

- Are you okay?

- Yeah, don't worry. We're used to it.

- Hey, wasn't Samson looking for a cop car? Dex realized.

Jack and Johnny looked at each other before their faces lit up. Still high on adrenaline, exacerbated by alcohol, it only took a few seconds for the Saints to borrow the two cops' car before driving hard through the streets of Stilwater, music blasting, screaming and laughing.

- We're the kings of the world," Johnny yelled out the window, completely drunk.

- YEEEEAAAAAH, Jack added, not in a better state.

After a long drive through the city, the three friends dropped the car off at Samson's house. They knocked on the garage doors and it was a shirtless and visibly sleeping Samson who opened the door.

- Guys, you're not well. It's one o'clock in the morning, I have to work tomorrow.

- We have a surprise for you, said Dex, also very drunk.

Johnny took the opportunity to turn on the car's flashing lights, under Samson's astonished eyes.

- Shit, you guys really stole a car from the cops?

- Perfect condition, just like we agreed," Jack assured him.

Samson couldn't believe his eyes and stroked the car with his fingertips.

- Get it into the fucking workshop now! I want it!

The boys did not hesitate and parked the car among the other more or less legal vehicles of the mechanic.

- I don't even know what to say," said Samson, almost moved. I'm going to sell it for a lot of money once it's fixed up.

- We're waiting for our commission," said Dex.

- I'll get it for you, don't move.

Dex rubbed his hands together, delighted.

- What do we do with the money? Should we give it to Julius? Johnny asked.

- Well, yeah, we should. But I don't know about you, but I'd like to give some to my mother.

- And I'm going to be living on my own soon, I must admit that a little money on the side would be really reassuring for the "just in case", continued Jack.

- You really are rats," said Johnny. Well, that said, there's the Playstation that came out, and frankly, I'm tempted... It costs 300 dollars without the games...

- Ah, I see we're not so altruistic! mocked Dex.

- Well yeah, but Thanksgiving and Christmas are coming up! And I've got a girlfriend, that's expensive to maintain.

- Well ... Should we keep the money?

When Samson brought them each another $1000, the boys couldn't resist and each left with their pockets a little fuller and the impression that they had earned and deserved it.

Posed in a playground in the suburb of Saints Row, the three friends continued to drink and smoke, even though the night was long over.

Lying on a red graffiti-covered slide, Jack looked up at the stars while spitting out his cigarette smoke.

- You know, guys, I think I'm living my best life with you," he confessed to his friends. Every day is a crazy adventure, we do what we want, we have fun, we don't get in over our heads. I wish it would never end.

- Don't say that, one day we'll be the masters of the city, we'll just have to strut around town counting our dollars on the arm of our biatches," Dex chuckled as he passed Johnny a joint.

- You guys are obsessed with chicks," said Johnny.

- Because maybe you're not?

- I've found the woman of my life already, so no. No more than that.

- Do you really think you're going to stay with Aisha for the rest of your life?

- Well, yeah.

- But does she know? And more importantly, is she willing?

- Laugh it up, motherfucker," says Johnny, pushing Dex.

- Besides, you still haven't told me about your party last night," Jack remembered. So, are you a man or not?

- What, you finally put it on? Asked Dex, very intrigued.

- Well ... In fact, yesterday, I invited her to the restaurant. We spent a great evening together, honestly it was perfect, the meal was good and for once, she was happy!

- Ah, you see, I told you it was a sure thing, says Jack.

- Afterwards, I gave her the grand tour, a little declaration of love, and a lot of groping to get her in the mood.

Dex and Jack looked at Johnny with a goofy grin on their faces, eager to know what was next.

- And then I said to him "Eesh, listen, we're adults, let's behave like adults".

- You've never said anything like that to him in your life, stop it," said Dex.

- Well, okay... I said something more like "Eesh, I've got a really stiff dick and I'm the only one who's still a virgin in the group, please do something. I beg yooooou".

- But come on, you're going to town, right?

Johnny remained silent to keep the suspense alive.

- Nah really. You're going to town… ? Jack repeated, wanting to know.

- She had her period.

- But noooo! Dex and Jack exclaimed together before bursting into laughter.

- I'm fucking curse. So yeah, still a fucking virgin. I'm desperate," said Johnny imitating his friends and laughing.

- It's dead, she'll never go for it. You're going to be a black mage, Johnny," sneered Dex.

- So, I don't think so because...

- Because...? Jack puzzled.

- Because she pumped my dong, guys! Oh boy, that was amazing!

The three boys burst out laughing and shouting with excitement.

- Good move, good move," said Dex.

- C'mon, next time it'll be a good one, she told me.

- I hope so, but in my opinion, she's open now," said Jack, not a connoisseur.

- But that's for sure! I had already been sucked off by a chick, but this was different, I don't have the words, it was the best moment of my life on par with the release of Tupac's "Me against the world" album.

- It's cool man, I'm happy for you. Really, says Dex sincerely.

- Thanks guys! And you know what, we're planning to buy a house next year. You know what that means, we're gonna have all our parties there, it's gonna be cool!

- When you say "we plan to buy", did you mean "Aisha plans to buy"? Because you're a working class guy.

- Don't blow it, Dex. What do you think, Jack?

- I'm happy for you, Johnny, but I'm afraid I won't be seeing much of your new house.

- Oh? Why?

- I'll probably be leaving next year.

- Leaving? Where to?

- To Massachusetts," Jack smiled sadly. I'm going to take a competitive exam to get into Harvard, and then to become an intern at NASA. I hear it's the opportunity of a lifetime...

Dex and Johnny looked at each other, not quite grasping the fact that they were about to lose their friend.

- You're not coming back on weekends or vacations? Johnny asked.

- It's 1400 kilometers from here, I don't think so, especially since I wouldn't have any family here...

- Damn it Jack ...

- Dude, I don't know what to say between "congratulations" and "don't fucking go", Dex replied.

- I'm not taken yet though.

- You're a genius brother, of course you're going to get in.

- I don't know what to say, are you going to the moon or something? Johnny asked.

- I don't think so. But I'll work with the guys who are.

- It's crazy... I've only known you for three months, but I feel like I've lived my whole life with you. I can't imagine you anywhere else today. You've always been my brother, you're even more important than family.

While there were mixed feelings, Jack didn't expect Johnny to tell him straight out how he felt about him. For a man who had never been truly loved, the simple fact that he had a friend he cared about was a new, violent and powerful feeling.

He tried to respond to his friend, and was surprised to find the words stuck in his throat and tears in his eyes.

- You're going to make me cry with your bullshit," he said, struggling to hide his emotion.

- And you're going to leave the Saints then? Dex asked, also more disappointed by the loss of a friend than a colleague.

- No. I mean, I won't be active like I am now. But Jul always said that we should focus on our studies and that it could help the crew in the long run.

- He's probably right... You will have been the most amazing boy I've ever known in my life anyway.

- Thanks Dex. Fuck, I haven't left yet and I already regret it.

- Don't regret anything. We're just gangsta babies in a ghetto. You finally get a chance to fly away from it all. If you ever do anything for the Row, you'll have done your part.

- Hey guys, how about we seal our friendship for life? Johnny offered.

- How? Dex was suspicious.

- By getting a tattoo of something bro!

- Another tattoo? That'll be the second one already, said Jack, not convinced.

- And then, we'll probably have many more.

- Yeah, I guess. Come on, I'm in," agreed Dex.

- I'll do it, but only if you tell me what we're getting tattooed," said Jack.

- Hmm... Johnny thought. What if we just assume that we're brothers and two of us choose the tattoo of the third?

- Ootch... Jack was suspicious. I don't want a drawing of a cock on my body, I warn you.

- But no! Something cool! No vulgarity, dick or offensive stuff.

Johnny was so into it that he managed to convince his two friends to participate in his project. The alcohol was probably part of it and so in the middle of the night, the three young men went to Johmarcus' tattoo parlor, which was always open until noon on weekends. He was not particularly surprised to see the Saints at home, here it was almost commonplace to cover the body with symbols and signs of gang membership.

- Well, here you are again, said Joh who continued to tattoo a skull and crossbones on a young man.

- Joh, is there any way to tattoo us again tonight? asked Dex.

- You three?

- Yeah, we'd like to do a fraternity tattoo.

- Okay... I see... What do you want?

- Well, it's kind of a surprise for everyone. We choose for the others.

Johmarcus noticed the smell of whiskey and weed emanating from the teenagers, but he was careful not to make a remark. After all, it wasn't his problem, even though he knew from experience that their idea was bad.

The Saints worked together to find the perfect tattoo for each of them. Dex suggested tattooing a brain on Johnny, which Jack laughed at but declined, fearing his friend would not like it. Johnny offered to tattoo a pair of balls on Dex and Jack realized that maybe he shouldn't have accepted this mystery tattoo craze...

Johmarcus got his gear ready and Jack was the first to get on the table.

- Where do you want it done?

- I don't know...

- Do it on his groin," ordered Dex.

Jack wasn't very reassured, but at least it would be easy to hide. He played along, not looking at what Johmarcus was doing to him, but became suspicious when he saw Johnny and Dex giggling. He tried to make out the shape as the needle sank into his skin, but he couldn't picture anything. Johmarcus applied a large compress to keep the surprise going and Dex was next.

- Do it to his upper arm," Johnny smiled evilly.

- Damn, I feel like shit... Dex sighed.

- But trust us.

- I already regret it.

As for Jack, Dex was covered with a large compress that worried him given the size and Johnny was the last to go through it.

- The neck," smiled Dex, as if in revenge.

- You're abusing it. Yours are discreet" Johnny insisted.

- I thought we trusted each other," said Dex pettiness.

- Let's stop everything, I don't feel it!

- Look at him, he's getting away with it! rejoiced Dex while giving a blow of elbow to Jack who fell asleep.

After a wait that seemed interminable to the boys who were falling from fatigue, Johmarcus finished his inking and placed the boys in front of a large mirror.

- Just remember that it is you who wanted this, I have nothing to do with it, Johmarcus warned them, which reassured them even less.

- Damn, but it goes all around my neck, you're exaggerating, complained Johnny without even having seen the work.

- Come on, bros. Three ... Two ... One ... Counted Dex.

At zero, the three boys yanked off the pads, revealing their fresh new tattoos. The silence was quite eloquent and no one spoke a word for long seconds where only their decomposed faces looked at their reflections.

- You tattooed me a fucking heart with "Mama" written in it? Dex dared, breaking the silence.

- Well, you love your mother, don't you? Johnny replied.

- You fucking dared...

- Fuck you, what's with this disgusting tribal you've chosen for me? Fuck, it goes all the way around my neck, how do I look now?

- It looks good on you. It's a mix of the gang side and your wild side combined. It was my idea!

- I'm not surprised, it's so fucking lame.

- And you kiddy, you don't say anything? Johmarcus asked, seeing Jack dejected.

- You made me a faggot thing, why did you choose such a pattern?

On Jack's lower abdomen, there was now a row of sixteen stars, more or less big.

- Well, it was thought out! The stars are to celebrate your entry into NASA and the number sixteen is your age, Dex explained.

- I'm fifteen...

- Ah. Oops.

- Damn, I really should have kept my mouth shut, Jack realized, running his hands along his face.

- But come on, you can make jokes, like "come see my big rocket" or "polish my satellite", suggested Johnny.

- I hate you ... I look like a fag with that ...

Johnny and Dex burst out laughing, already forgetting their own ugly tattoos, and the evening ended with each of them inked with an inglorious but friendly symbol.