Life's a reef - plenty to see but full of holes

Magpie waited on the steps to Lexii’s trailer. He hadn’t been home in days and hadn’t spent much time there beforehand. He thought best not to insult his new landlady by just waltzing in and making himself comfortable after so long without word. He knew she’d be around soon enough but definitely had some time to kill. So into his pocket he reached and from it produced a rolling paper first, then a baggy with some pot he’d earlier grinded up. The last item he produced was a flyer for ‘The Gein’ which was torn at the corner, layers of small rectangle strips ripped off. He plucked a bit of the green from the bag and sprinkled it into the paper, looking up once to flash a smile at the blue sky as he lazed in the Sun’s warm embrace.

After the creation of a thin roach, a slight licking and quick sticking the joint was complete. He leant back on the steps with a supporting elbow and gazed again for the sky. He found a matchbox in a jean pocket and struck one to ignite his afternoon treat. After a few tokes he felt the weight on his eyelids, and the sensation similar to that of sinking into a warm bath began to crawl over his skin. The corners of his mouth quirked contently at the sides of puffing lips. As the blissful haze slowly seduced him and the cherry on the end of his roll-up slid ever closer to his face; long-contemplated thoughts started entering his mind and the new thoughts that they created.

‘How comes’ Hathian been so good to me? After all the places I done wound up in and got spat back out it’s hard to believe how well I done here already. I been starving as long as I had pubic hair and here it di’ent even take me a week to get set up. I don’t know how to show my appreciation to the people that have saved me, or tell them what they’ve saved me from, but there’s no way to reveal that kinda’ shit wi’dout soundin’ pussy. I guess I’ll juss’ make up for it in my actions.

‘Dat Tre’s a good lady, she hooked me up to Rabid and started all ‘dis stuff off. I cu’ent believe what ‘dem Rejects faggots did to her. I know ‘dese is mean streets but there’s only so much you can do to a lady, an’ wi’dout real reason either. I know I done my share of bad shit but ‘dat was different, ‘dat was sink or swin. Them motherfuckers ain’t got nuttin’ to gain but a reputation, slimey bastards. I’ll get ‘em back no doubt, as soon as the boss gives the nod I’ll be swingin’ erry’thang; bats, hammers, machetes… fuckin’ axes, whatever I can get my hands on, and I know I’m gonna’ break at least one head.’

The Sun’s heat beat down on his chest, and he rolled his neck on its pivot. He closed his eyes and saw gold through his eyelids, and when he opened them he saw a sight that was as great to him as the precious metal. Lexii’s trailer, as much of a shithole as it looked from the outside Magpie had slept in enough doorways, dumpsters and park benches to make a trailer look like a palace, and to him that’s how it seemed.

‘Lexii, the iron lady of The Aces, Rabid’s mom, how can someone juss’ so easily let a mo’fucka’ like me sleep on their sofa. I guess she saw through the gangbanger thing. I don’t really wanna’ hurt nobody, it’s just every now and again someone comes along and violent action is necessary. Sometimes I get to feelin’ like I wanna’ throw petrol bombs through the windows of every American home, but then someone like Lexii comes along and shows me ‘dat all ‘dem people out there ain’t so bad and I can just feel all the cogs click into place and perfect balance is achieved. Shit. I think the weed got up in my brain. Whassup’ Mary Jane?

His thoughts were interrupted by a short burst of his own laughter that escaped reluctant lips as he amused himself. Fearful of looking like a lunatic laughing at thin air he quickly curbed his amusement. Then he realised he was smoking roach so flicked the remains of the joint onto the pathway and sank back into himself as he explored his stoned psyche.

‘Rabid has provided me wit’ a family ’dat for so long I been wi’dout. It’s alien to me for someone on ’dese streets to be more willin’ to even say ’whassup’ than they is to stick a knife in his back and take his sneakers. Too bad ‘dat things wit’ the rest of ‘da Aces ain’t been so fly, but I guess I’mma patch things up and show ‘dem that I only got ‘da best intentions for now. I’ll prove myself if ‘dis shit wit’ da Rejects kicks off, ain’t nobody stopping’ me. Don’t nobody know stamina like a hobo and I’mma show ‘dem fucks exactly what ‘dat means.’

Magpie grinned, eager to engage in his first real opportunity to prove his true worth to the crew, but who was he to predict the future. For all he knew he could wind up waking with a knife in his stomach, and because of this he’d keep his wits about him in the coming days, probably weeks or even months. He’d experienced similar feuds and knew exactly what to expect but he’d yet to create a game plan. For now he’d relax and enjoy the brief calm before the storm.

He reclined further and brought his hands up behind his head to rest it there and crossed one foot over the other as he resembled a poster boy for a life of leisure, warm, smiling and relaxed on the steps to a trailer found in a city considered by most a hindering shit stain on the map, but to Magpie, Hathian was Paradise and after so many hellholes and down-endings - he’d do anything to keep it that way.

Inspired by actual events, NAAMEAAAN!?