Hoodies

It's eight oclock in the evening and you've just about made your nut and your gas, when a call comes in from Yesler terrace. You're close by and you take it. It turns out to be a phone booth, where teen-age boy in a hoodie is waving you down.

You roll down the window.

Can you take me to PacMed?

Sure, you say. Hop in.

He opens the door behind you. Some boys emerge from the bushes and pile into the rear. The kid who called comes around to the right and gets in beside you. They're all wearing hoodies, and you don't like the look of them, but there's not much you can do about it. If they're up to no good they can do it here just as well as anywhere. No sense telling them no. You've had gangs like this before and they were businessmen, not muggers. Give respect, get respect, that's what you're always telling yourself. But you keep an eye out for the cops, nonetheless.

You take the only route to PacMed.

You got someone there? You say, trying to make a connection with them. Hope their doing okay.

But the boys don't say a word. You come up around the left side of the building and signal a turn at the main entrance.

Not here, the boy says.

But this is the main entrance.

We need to go to the car lot, other side of the building. Take the next right.

You turn in anyway and stop in front of the door. You notice there is no one there.

This is as far as I go, you say.

Pay the man, Jimmy, the leader says.

The boys get out of the car. One of them beats you on the head. The door beside you opens and the leader is pointing a gun at you, right between the eyes.

His hands are steady and his eyes are blank. You have no doubt he's killed before. Your bladder can't contain your panic.

Give me your money, he says.

You grab what's in your pocket and throw it.

Where's the rest, he says.

You're patting your pockets for more when you notice the car is still in gear, so you hit the gas instead. A shot rings out but misses, and you just keep on going, all the way back to the hostel, where you wash and change, and go out again to make it all back and then some.