Chapter 2: Recreational Sports
Richie walked down the street to a payphone, and inserted a quarter in the slot. He dialed his home phone number to call his wife. The phone rang for a few minutes until she finally answered.
"Hello?"
"Sara? Guess who." Richie replied playfully.
"Richie? Is that you? When did you get out?" Sara replied with excitement.
"Today, I got some business to take care of and then I'll be home. I just called to tell you that I love you and I'll see you tonight." Richie answered.
"Ok honey, I love you, hurry home I can't wait to see you." Sara replied lovingly.
"Alright, see you tonight babe. Bye." Richie said as he hung up the phone.
He loved his wife and kids more then anything, but business comes first. He walked down the street some more till he reached Fred's Sporting Goods. Richie walked inside and began looking around. With in a few moments he heard his name called out from behind the counter, "Richie?"
"Yeah it's me Freddie, and before you ask, I got released today." Richie responded.
"Wow it's good to see you, but why are you here?" Freddie asked curiously.
"Well I thought I would check your shop out and see how it's doing. It's a nice place; you might want to think about getting some protection from the local gangs, because this neighbor hood can be quite dangerous." Richie answered.
"That's why I have Omar working for me." Freddie said as a big 6'6 three hundred pound African American man walked out from the back storage room. "I hired Omar as a salesman, but he comes in handy when having to deal with the resident thugs."
"Well Freddie you should really let me handle your protection, because I'd hate to see someone get hurt or something in your shop get damaged." Richie replied.
"No, I'm good Richie. You want to buy something?" Freddie responded.
"Yeah I need a baseball bat for my apartment. Sara wants me to get one so we can feel safe at home. Omar would you mind helping me pick out a good bat?" Richie asked.
"Ok, what kind you looking for?" Omar questioned as he came over to the bats section and reached for one.
"How about the old fashioned Louisville slugger?" Richie answered.
Omar reached up high and grabbed the wooden bat off the rack. He handed it to Richie and waited for his reaction. Richie gripped the bat tightly and gave it a few practice swings.
"Maybe I'll go with that aluminum bat, could you hand it to me?" Richie said as he finished his last practice swing with the wooden bat.
"Ok I'll get it." Omar said as he reached up to grab it.
Richie swung the bat fiercely and slammed it against the back of Omar's head. Omar fell to his knees and Richie swung a few more times, beating the hell out of Omar. Omar fell onto the floor faced down finally and Richie gave one last swing, BOOM! The bat broke into pieces, leaving wooden fragments all over the floor and an unconscious Omar.
"It looks like I'll go with the aluminum bat." Richie said as he grabbed the aluminum bat.
He walked coolly over to the counter; Freddie was in shock that his muscle bound body guard had been taken down so easily.
"Now I'll be back in each week on Friday to pick up my money, because I think you want me protecting you. Am I right?" Richie asked nicely.
"Y-Y-Yeah your right, I'll have the money ready each week for you, and you can keep the bat, no charge." Freddie replied with a stutter as he handed Richie this week's payment.
"That's what I like to hear, cooperation." Richie responded with a cold face.