DO THE HUSTLE

by PearlAnn SnowStar

Jamie stood in the back of Isaac’s gym. A small group of teenagers from Below were being taught defensive moves by Isaac. She watched them and smiled. Those were the same moves she learned from him days ago.

She reached into her pocket and took out the flyer. She studied it and waited. Time passed and before long he dismissed the class. The moans and groans from the teenagers made her chuckle.

One of the teenagers looked at her. “We’re going Below now.”

“All of you go ahead; I’ll see you later,” she called out to them.

As the teenagers slowly made their way out of the building, Isaac walked up to her. “What is it?” he asked.

She showed him the flyer. “I really want to enter the archery competition that’s coming up in two years.”

He looked up at her. “But?”

“I want to earn money for the entrance fee. This caught my attention.”

“Well, it’s not an official billiard championship. Just a neighborhood get-together. And not in a totally safe area. The competitions are taking place in bars.”

“I checked it out. I could find a Helper to come with me. But I wanted to ask you first. It must be kept a secret between you and me.”

“Why?”

“I want to earn that entry fee on my own. If others knew about it, they would  talk me out of it. Some might contact Catherine, who would then want to help pay the archery competition fee. I don’t like to take advantage of Catherine’s generosity.”

“So, you figured this might be a way to get that fee. That’s if you win. There’s a $25 entry fee for this.”

“I have that.”

“Do you know anything about pool?”

She grinned. “Pool, billiards. Just a little. I’m helping a person named Sandy. I see her every other Thursday. She doesn’t take medications, but she needs help now and then to clean up her place. Make her meals. She’s a Helper who moved into a brownstone that has a pool table in the basement. It’s for the seniors living there. After I help her out, I go down there and play pool. I found the game interesting.”

“You’re not a senior.”

“No, but the seniors know I see Sandy to make sure she’s OK. They say that allows me to play. Some of them even play a game with me.”

“Uh-huh.” He had that look.

“Isaac, I thought about it. I even asked Narcissa, telling her I was about to consider something. I was curious. I wanted to know what her spirits would say about my ‘consideration.’ I didn’t tell her what I was considering.”

“And what did she tell you?”

“To pursue my dream and that the Spirits of Light will keep me safe. That there is always Divine Order, and when the time is right, don’t hesitate.”

He gave the flyer back to her. “This?”

“I feel it would be a good way to get the fee. To be sure I have the amount when the time comes for it.”

“How long have you been playing pool?”

“Two months. Just last week, I saw this on the ground. I glanced at it and, well…”

“It says the first game is at this particular bar.”

“Right. Only one hundred people are allowed to sign up. You must commit to a game at each of the bars that are mentioned. After a few months, it will be down to only five people. Those five will return to the first bar and be whittled down to three. The three will return to the same bar the next night. The prizes for all three are fantastic.”

He sighed. “Let me check this out first. Find out if there is any shady stuff going down. If it’s legit, I guess it’ll be all right to sign up. But you really should tell someone, other than me.”

She shook her head. “No, just you. I don’t want any lectures or comments from anybody. Some people, especially Below, think just because I’m a girl, I shouldn’t do certain things.”

He gave her a look. “All right, we’ll keep this just between us.”

She nodded.

“This may take time. So, I hope you’ll still be in time to be one of the hundred.”

She reached into her pocket and gave him a slip of paper. “That’s Sandy’s address.”

He took the slip of paper. “I’ll stop by when I get information.”

“I’ll get done by 6 pm this coming Thursday. After that, I go down to the basement to play pool. I usually leave by 9 pm. Sometimes, I come even if it’s not a Thursday. Just let me know.”

“I’ll have a friend or two also check this competition out. Then we’ll meet up.”

“Great.”

“I will keep this a secret.”

“You better.”

* * *

Seven months later, carrying a backpack, Jamie walked down a rarely used passageway. She heard someone behind her and turned around.

“Mouse!”

“Heard. Seen. Now. Then. Sneaking. Where go?”

“That’s a lot of words for you. I…have something to do Above. It’s a secret, OK?”

“Said nothing.”

“Good.”

“I know. Sometimes Mouse need hide.”

“Well, I’ll be back.”

He looked at her.

“Mouse, I have to go alone. I’ll be safe. Really. I promise.”

He nodded. “OK, fine. See Mouse when back?”

She smiled. “Yes.”

He turned around. “Mouse busy. Lots of projects.” He scampered away.

“God, I hope he keeps being quiet about this.”

She made her way Above. She walked into a store and headed for the ladies’ room to change.

Minutes later, she came out of the store. She was dressed in black, except for the brown fringed jacket. There were no patches to be seen anywhere.

Looking around to make sure no one was following her, she started to walk down the sidewalk to the corner. There was a cab sitting past the light. The back window rolled down. She walked up to the cab. She looked at the person who sat in the back seat and smiled. She got in, and the cab pulled away.

Isaac looked at her. “Nice. Not too fancy. But not ancient.”

She laughed. “Our clothes are patched, not ancient.”

“Yes, but tonight…”

“I could win first place.”

“If you do, your picture will be taken.”

“And unless someone notices the girl looks like me, my secret is safe. For now.”

He shook his head. “I really didn’t think you would get this far. You and Wakanda, the only two girls in this competition.”

“I’m just glad you came with me each time. The first time was really…”

“Dicey. Some of those dudes…”

She nodded. “Now, I’m in the top three.”

“Wakanda is tough.”

She laughed. “Can’t believe she wanted to be called that.”

“Oh, I could. Black, with an afro and an attitude. Wearing a black fringed jacket. You ladies like your fringed jackets.”

“A few times she wore red pants and a shirt.”

“At least she is the one the guys noticed.”

She looked at him. “You know her.”

“White hats.”

“That group that used to belong to Jace?”

“Uh-huh. Still call themselves Protectors. She learned how to fight and defend herself with that group. A few months ago, she moved to some place in Jersey. She started up a woman’s-only defense class. When we entered the bar for the first contest, I recognized her.”

“Let me guess. You two got a chance to talk?”

He nodded. “The third event, she walked up to me. Said she was back in New York to open up her second place somewhere in the city. Told me she was going to beat my girl.”

“Me?”

“Yes.”

“Well, she is tough. But even third prize is more than I could get in a year.”

“Second. Maybe first.”

“Larry bested me last night.”

“That was only once.”

“We’re here,” the cab driver called out as she pulled to the corner. She turned around. “Crowded. Isaac, you want me to send one of our friends down here?”

“Not yet. Just keep your eyes and ears open. If you hear anything bad going down…”

“I’ll get word to you. Good luck and take care.”

Isaac gave the cab driver some cash. Jamie stepped out of the cab and waited for him. When he got out, there was such a serious look on his face.

“You look like you shouldn’t be messed around with,” she said.

“We’ve got to be ready for local reporters who will be here. Check out people; could be some unsavory characters hanging around. Remember one of my rules, never give anyone a chance to think that you’re weak. Especially in this area.”

They walked up to the bouncer who was handling the crowd. He recognized them and motioned for them to go into the bar.

Inside, Jamie looked around. She found Larry, but where was Wakanda?

“All right, everyone. We closed off the bar from anyone else entering. Got to obey city rules, you know.” The announcer looked around and motioned for Larry and Jamie to come up. Isaac followed her to his usual spot by the pool area. Right in front.

Wakanda came through the crowd that was in front of her. She was dressed all in black.

My God, she looks like a black panther.

Jamie took a deep breath.

“All right, you know what to do. Pick a stick,” the announcer motioned toward a rack of sticks. “This is the last game to decide first, second, and third place.”

* * *

Hours went by, which felt like an eternity. Larry was the first to go down.

Jamie was excited. She didn’t think she would make it this far. Third place would have been enough for the archery competition entry fee.

The crowd cheered as Wakanda kept going and going. She kept sinking ball after ball. Finally, she missed and didn’t sink a ball.

Good God. The eight ball was in a bad spot.

Jamie felt a bit nervous. The way Wakanda was hitting the balls left very few of them in good positions.

Breathe. You’ve got this. Just concentrate.

The room had gone completely silent. Jamie walked around the table and found an acceptable spot to try to use another ball to knock a ball into the pocket. Eight ball was going to have to wait.

Jamie concentrated. This was it. First or second. She reached into her pocket and got out the chalk. Rubbing the chalk on the cue stick, she looked at what was on the table. She placed the chalk back into her pocket.

“Now or never,” she murmured.

She made her play, but instead of hitting the other ball, it hit the eight ball. The balls scattered. Nothing sank into a pocket. The crowd groaned.

Wakanda confidently walked up to the table. Jamie knew what was going to happen, and it did. Wakanda put all the balls, except for the eight ball, into the pockets.

Like the crowd, Jamie watched. Her heart was pounding. This was it. The eight ball was so close to the cushions. Could Wakanda make the shot? She wanted to close her eyes, but she couldn’t.

Wakanda went around the table, then angled herself at a corner. She lined up her shot and took it. The ball sank in.

The crowd roared as Wakanda stood up and grinned. Wakanda walked up to Jamie.

Jamie reached out to her, and they shook hands.

The announcer made his way through the crowd. He lifted Wakanda’s arm and said, “Our first place $1000 winner!”

The announcer walked up to Jamie. He lifted her arm. “Our second place $500 winner.”

The announcer then went toward Larry, lifting his arm. “Our third place $250 winner.’

As the crowd cheered, Jamie felt a hand on her shoulder. She turned. Isaac looked at her with amazement.

“Well, since I won, I won’t need to come and help you out. And I’ll split the prize with you. Per our agreement.”

He smiled, then laughed. “Guess I’ll have to find someone else to come in every other weekend to tidy up my gym. Maybe someone taking lessons from me?”

Jamie grinned. “Isaac, I won’t mind coming by now and then to help you out. Besides, I’ll see you sometime this week, with your half of the prize money.”

He looked at her. “I didn’t think you had a chance. Very few times to practice. Keeping up with whatever chores you have Below and Above.”

“I want to get back Below, before somebody wonders where I am.”

Isaac nodded. “Let’s go get your check.”

“I’ll put it in my bank account tomorrow.”

“Can we tell others now?”

“No, please. I’d really like to keep this a secret. I don’t want anyone else to know. They might want me to continue or ask where the money went. Someone might ask why I didn’t give some to the community. I just…don’t feel like being inundated by questions and opinions.”

He nodded. “I understand. But I bet Catherine might find out about this. All three winners, not just the first-place winner, will get their pictures taken. She might see your picture in the local newspaper. Maybe she’ll try to help you out somehow. Probably at one point pay for another fee for you.”

“If that happens, I’ll thank her and tell her I’ll be OK. Even if she insists.”

Jamie and Isaac walked up to the bar to join Wakanda. After the pictures, Jamie’s check was handed to her. People congratulated her as she and Isaac quickly made their way out of the bar.

Heart pounding, Jamie was so glad to see the cab and quickly got into it. Issac got in after her.

I did it. I really did it. Okay, not first place, but I got my entry fee!

* * *

Jamie carefully made her way Below. She hugged her backpack close to her chest. She was humming a tune. Wakanda had hummed it, and it was catchy. Wakanda said it was called The Hustle. Yeah, Wakanda and her hustled, all right.

“Jamie?”

Oh, no. Jamie turned and looked at Vincent. He looked tired.

“It’s late.”

She nodded. “I was out.”

“I wondered where you were. There was an emergency, and we needed some help cleaning up. When I looked for you, Mouse only told me that you went Above.”

“Everything all right?”

“Yes.”

“Sorry.”

“Were you helping out someone?”

She nodded. She didn’t want to say anything else.

“We need to get more supplies tomorrow.”

“I can run back up Above for that.”

He paused. It was quiet for a few moments.

“If ever you need to talk…”

“I know, but just not now. Look, I need to go back Above tomorrow. I can get the supplies.”

He paused for a moment, then said, “I’ll give you a list of what we need after breakfast. You can bring the supplies to our brownstone. Even if it is just a few items, you’ll need someone to help you.”

“I’ll be up for the early breakfast at 8 am. I’ll ask Mouse.” She looked at him. “It’s late; I’m tired. Is there anything else?”

He shook his head no.

“Good night, Vincent.”

“Good night, Jamie.”

She continued down the passageway, heading for Mouse’s chamber. “Hope he’s not sleeping,” she murmured.

“Not.”

She nearly jumped out of her skin and turned to see Mouse standing there.

“Late.”

“Yes, Vincent told me about the emergency. I just wanted to let you know I was back. We need to get more supplies tomorrow. Can you come with me?”

Mouse smiled. “Yes. Time?”

“After breakfast. Say about 9 am.”

“OK, be there.”

“Before we go to get the supplies, I need to stop at a bank.”

“Why?”

“I have a savings account and want to add some more money to it.”

Mouse scrunched his face. “Mouse hide money found. Hide money given. Have hiding place.”

“For me, a bank is safer.” She yawned. “Thanks for not saying anything.”

“Mouse knows. Understand. Tired. Bed now.”

He scampered back into his chamber.

She smiled as she made her way to her chamber, humming. Now, she had to find a place to practice her archery. Below did have quiet chambers, maybe some that were big enough to shoot arrows. Maybe she’d find one that no one, not even Mouse, knew of.

When she got to her chamber, she placed the lantern outside by her entrance. Going in, she picked up a manual clock and set it for 7 am. Then she got herself ready to go to bed.

A few minutes later, she checked her backpack. The check was still inside.

She yawned. “I won’t have much sleep, but I’ll be fine.”

A song came into her head. She started singing, “Do the Hustle.”  She danced around her chamber, quietly laughing.  After a few moments dancing, she collapsed onto the bed.

I hope my secret stays hidden forever.

But maybe that was wishful thinking. Isaac could say something. Catherine could be reading the local paper and notice her picture in an article. Vincent and Mouse could question her more. But maybe not. And that’s the way she preferred it. Like Mouse, she valued her privacy.

I really did it. If I succeeded in this, I know I’m going to win the archery competition. I know it.

She turned around onto her side with a huge smile and closed her eyes.

___________

Do the Hustle – Music and Lyrics by Van McCoy and the Soul City Symphony 1975

(Link will take you to youtube)