CHAPTER 3
Wait ‘til I tell you about my second day of high school. After all that attention, all that buzz, what happened then? Well, I got a nickname.
Designated by The Man Himself, Juan Cortez. Oklahoma regional gang leader for the Conquistadors. Mexican mafia or something. Oh, shit. Didn’t want that kind of attention.
But, it did put the kibosh on being labeled “The Dork” because he decided on “The Grandmaster.”
Apparently, ‘ol Juan stays in high school because the cops would just love to bust him on truancy. Plus, I could tell he likes school. And excitement. So that led to an “accidental” encounter with Juan and his gang.
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Yep, just so happened that his two enforcers bumped into me in the hallway so I would fall down at their feet. Or not. Because I used Jujitsu to unbalance them and trip each other.
Then I said, “Sorry, that was clumsy of me. I’m new here and don’t know where I’m going.” Like I’m just a clumsy doofus and it was all my fault.
Juan laughed and laughed: “That’s OK, Grandmaster.” He walked off ribbing “Goliath” and “Rambo” for their “clumsiness.” I could tell he noted exactly what I was really doing. Physically and verbally. Yes, I will fight, but like Bartleby, “I prefer not to.”
I’m going to the big basketball game tonight. Maybe make a friend.
LONDON CALLING
The Clash
London calling to the faraway towns
Now war is declared, and battle come down
London calling to the underworld
Come outta the cupboard, ya boys and girls
London calling to the zombies of death
Quit holdin' out and draw another breath
The ice age is coming, the sun's zoomin' in
Engines stop running, the wheat is growin' thin
A nuclear error, but I have no fear
'Cause London is drowning, and I,
I live by the river
Now get this
(London calling) Yes, I was there, too
And ya know what they said? Well, some of it was true
(London calling) At the top of the dial
And after all this, won't you give me a smile?
