Velvet VI

Gathering her coat around her diminutive form, Carmen puts on a pair of gloves to ward off the chill which bothers her onset of arthritis.

-“Well, I’d rather go inside to talk where it’s cozy and warm, but I suppose this will do for privacy. Let it out then, tell me everything, as I have an inkling of what’s going on.”

-“I feel as if a constant presence is near me, and now I have the proof.

The gravity of my plight is that I feel that it’s not me that is behaving like a raving nymphomaniac Carmen; my will is sometimes replaced by a force stronger than me.

I’m like an ambassador of the United Nations. I don’t discriminate, and I consort with men of all races, ages, colors, and flavors without preference.

But last night was so frightening, that it made the hair on back of my neck stand up.

Had my senses been sharp, I would have been wary of the man whom I had barely met, then seated on my left in a restaurant. Almost immediately, he grabbed my hair with force and pulled me in for a passionate kiss.

That kiss and invasion of his velvety tongue, is all it took to agree like a zombie to follow him home.

I should have known better.

On the way to the car, just outside of the restaurant we passionately kissed. He then slid down my pants a little and started spanking me hard – on my bare ass! Thank goodness that my long camel coat sheltered any on coming traffic of such a distraction while conducting a vehicle."

-“You had not met him before at all and he took such liberties with you?” Carmen inquired with burrowed eyebrows.

-“No, I mean, we had talked on the phone, and exchanged pictures before. And… and I did send him racy pictures of me prior to our meeting.

That’s another thing I can’t help avoid doing Carmen; I love to take provocative pictures to tease with, although I am careful not to associate my face with a certain part of my anatomy. Yet, that is really strange because I used to be shy, and somewhat conservative.

-“What is it that truly scared you then? Obviously you teased him, and due to vanity you gave him a wrong impression. You should be careful when playing with fire.” Carmen reprimanded.

-“Yes, I know it's my fault. Well, he was very aggressive, and there came a point that I felt that I could not control him. He started getting violent, and even slapped me on the face once. I was shocked! Not even my parents had ever laid a hand on me – ever.

I had never in my life been recipient of violence in any form. Well, except when I was about 8 years old and my little brothers and I, took turns chasing each other with bats, or others weapons of choice.

But his aggression was not scary in itself, even after getting a resounding spanking; I found it to be a novelty of sorts. But what is truly scary Carmen, was the image I caught on the mirror in the dim lit room.

I saw a thing which looked half man, half beast stroke his tumid member while wearing a lascivious grin and making eye contact with me.

It had a curling tail, and claws instead of fingernails.
He - it seemed somehow familiar; it seemed to be able to read my mind. I was transfixed by the image reflected on the mirror, and by the pleasure it was getting from watching me impaled.

In the moment of a truly shuddering orgasm, recognition dawned on me; he is always near me.

I feel him on my bed, and in my head." Beatriz said while hugging herself.

-"You have opened a door." Carmen said with severity.





To be continued….

Velvet V

Lazily turning her face sideways on her pillow, Beatriz reads the digital clock.

It is 2:12 PM.

She counts.

Was it ten or twelve? No, it was twelve, she is almost sure. Those were twelve orgasms in a stretch of 2.5 hours. A record set.

Putting her reading aside, Beatriz then grabs her purse to light up a smoke - no matter that her room is starting to acquire that distinctive cigarette scent as of late. She expels the smoke out in little, controlled puffs which create an array of little doughnuts in the air.

Feeling lethargic, she uses her coffee cup to collect the falling ashes, only then she does she attend her constantly vibrating cell phone. There are several missed calls, voice messages, and texts pending.

She searches down her contact list to find Carmen’s number. She must pass by a dozen others contacts, some of which she thinks that she must delete. Mostly from one night stands which promise a dour forecast for development.

-“Hello Carmen? Hi, listen I really very much need to talk to you. Today if you can….let’s meet at the mall in an hour….okay at the food court…see you soon.”

Collecting her aching body off the bed, Beatriz ambles to her closet for something to wear that day. This resembles the Los Angeles dumpster. Mounds of orphaned shoes are piled in disarray, the matching pair lost in the chaos.

Excavating through the rubble to eventually reunite a pair, she then wonders what on earth to wear.

Too much stuff to choose from, yet there is nothing remotely interesting. Seeing that she is out of clean underwear, she makes a mental note to shop for more of those, as she goes commando for the day.

She avoids looking at the pile of pending laundry. Way too daunting a task, as far as it has accumulated.

She then decides that a good project will be to convert a small room into a walk-in closet, or at least carpet the flooring with matching pairs of shoes, in not such a steep pile.


Embracing Carmen, Beatriz asks if she is hungry.

-“I could use some coffee if you’d like, I’m okay. Girl, you reek of cigarette smoke! I didn’t know you smoked.”

-“Oh, it’s fairly recent. I go out a lot with some friends, and they smoke, so I just kind of copied them to sort of fit in…you know?
To seem cool and sophisticated I suppose.
Oh, but I don’t smoke a whole box of them. It’s just a passing fad I guess.” Beatriz said wearing a weak smile.

-“Hmm last time I saw you, you were crying about a broken heart, and I gave you directions to that witch doctor. You looked heartbroken then, but girl now I have to say you don’t look much better off. There is something almost haunted in your eyes. Are you okay?” Carmen asks with concern.

-“Let’s walk to get some coffee, I’m starved!

Perhaps the mall is not such a good place to talk at Carmen; it is too noisy and crowded, and even as I walk by the window stores I feel the urge to consume more.
If I find a pair of shoes that I fall in love with – shoes specially, I will even forgo making a payment on other things, in order to acquire those.
It is as if I had no will to resist them!” Beatriz said in a feverish note.

-“Since when has this smoking and compulsive shopping has taken over?” Carmen asks with curiosity.

-“Hmm…I don’t know…just about the last time we’ve seen each other, a month I suppose. Carmen let’s step outside for a smoke, what I need to tell you is something of a delicate sort. It’s too noisy here!” Beatriz urges as they walk rapidly to a bench outside of this mall.

-“What is it Beatriz? Tell me everything.” Carmen asks with genuine concern.

-“Something is constantly watching me.

Often I wake up and I feel something pressuring me down, and my body feels immobilized. I wasn’t sure at the beginning, but lately I’ve taken to sleeping with the lamp on. In the dark, as I was falling asleep, I felt chills run down my thigh, as I felt the weight of something on my side- seating on the bed.” Beatriz said with desperation animating her face.

-“Besides the smoking and the shopping, are you having any other strange impulses?” Carmen inquires.

Looking downcast, Beatriz confesses. –“ Well,I drink, and party a lot, and frankly can't summon the will to clean up my place. In fact I need to shop for new underwear now to have something to wear.

But, also I’ve become a nymphomaniac. My body takes over with an overpowering need to copulate. It’s like a drug I must consume, and the more I get, the more I want!

I’ve become…an orifice - a receptacle without will or reason of any sort.

But last night, something truly scary happened; I called you because I am truly scared.”



To be continued…

Velvet IV

Apprehension took hold of Beatriz when she was seated in a darkened back room.
This illuminated by candles of all shapes and tones. Some were in the shape of hooded skeletons, others black as condensed gloom.

The air was thick with smoke, and redolent of spices and potions of all sorts. But something more than the immediate ambiance disturbed Beatriz; the eerie presence of an invisible force seemed almost palpable in this room.

-“I don’t even know why I’m here. I really don’t believe in this stuff - although don’t take any offense – to each his or her own.” Beatriz was respectful of the old, toothless witch doctor seated in front.

With a chuckle the brujo responded: - “You are not the first, nor the last woman to recourse to such aid. It has been a weapon of choice for women throughout centuries to acquire power and status through the male of their choice - when that was the only way to advance their lot in life.

It is woven into history you know.

You told me that you’re from Peru? Let me tell you a little story about the first progressive woman in what is Latin America. As you probably now, the very first University and bullfight plaza established in the Americas, was in Lima, Peru.

The Spaniard nobility immigrated en mass lured by the greed of more gold to take home.

The most scandalous romance of 18th century Lima was between the Viceroy and a famous theatre actress named Micaela Villegas. This become so, because he was the representative of the king of Spain – the highest authority in the land, and she was a Creole of indigenous decent.

As you know there was then and still even now terrible racial prejudice.
This did not deter the smitten Viceroy. One night he extended and invitation to Micaela to dine in his palace. Micaela agreed on one condition, that he sent the royal carriage to pick her up.

A little disturbed by the request since this would draw too much attention to them, the Viceroy acquiescenced nonetheless.

Eventually, the Viceroy fell in love so deeply that upon declaring his love and fervid devotion to Micaela, she responded that she would only accept his love if he were to deposit the moon at her feet.

And this he did.

-“How could he deposit the moon at her feet? And was she very beautiful?” Beatriz interrupted the Brujo.

-“How the Viceroy deposited the moon at her feet was by building “Paseo de Aguas” in her honor. The promenade of waters anchored by large arches, and when the moon is full, it is reflected in its entire splendor on that giant pool.

There are no pictures of her, although it is said that she exuded unparalleled charm and grace. She was quite eccentric and loved to bathe in fresh milk, and shock the elite.
She was impulsive, capricious, and occasionally taken to bouts of extreme generosity.

Micaela moved into the palace and would attend mass in the pompous royal carriage with a velvet interior, this pulled by four white horses of the noblest stock.

Also at the time it was considered improper for ladies to wear face paint, or to go out without a shawl covering half their face.
Micaela would wear plenty of make-up and omit the shawl to functions.

Of course this liaison made the exclusive Spanish society livid, and behind her back, she was nicknamed “La Perrichola,” which is the equivalent of a female dog.
The elite plotted to oust the Viceroy by spreading false rumors to the king of Spain.

-“I see, but why do you say that she was a progressive woman, by just sleeping with a prominent man?” Beatriz interrupted the brujo once again.

-“She was very clever and somewhat educated as she learned to read and write, which was uncommon for women of her social class at the time. She became a mediator of sorts for the common folk. They came to her to ask for aid, and through her urging schools, and hospitals were built.

She is quoted to have said, “Peruvians! Do no combat the ruling empire with arms, because I will have it subdued at my feet, through my charms.” You see what I mean now?

Another quote that she is famous for is: “I will not enter the palace as a maid like my sisters do; I will be the queen of the masses, even beyond the injustices of the empire.”

Her morbid desire to humiliate the elite identified her with the plebeian.
That is how she won the support of the Church which was mighty formidable at that time. For through her good deeds she came to be idolized by the subjugated masses, and she lured them to come to church just to see her. The Church was won to her side by her generosity, as well as a using her as a pawn to convert more Catholics.

-“I see, so what happened then? What happened to them?” Beatriz asks expectantly.

Well, they had one male child, which she demanded the Viceroy legitimize.
The plots against him eventually bore fruit, and he was replaced by someone else, and ordered to return back to Spain.

He left her a pension and properties, and heart brokenly parted ways. She was not allowed a visa of sorts to get aboard any ship, and besides the Viceroy who was a member of a noble family in Spain, knew that she would not be accepted into his world.

Her later years were spent as a novice of the Carmelitas in the monastery, and performing good deeds.

So as you can see my dear, one must do what one must do. What would you like to do now?” The brujo with piercing dark eyes inquired.

-“I don’t want much. I only want him to be aware in a subconscious level that he can only maintain an erection - solely with me!”



To be continued…

Velvet III

-“Sorry, I can’t get a signal on my cell phone.

Please calm down; it will only be a little while before the doors are opened. My name is George by the way, what is yours?” He says in an attempt to distract her from her rising panic.

In response Beatriz then sliders to the floor with her back against the wall. Folding into a fetus position she bursts out crying inconsolably.

George gathers Beatriz’ discarded blouse and coat, and squatting close to her improvises a pillow and coverlet for her.

This close proximity creates a sense of instant intimacy. His kindness, emanating strength, and scent, send her senses reeling. Without analyzing her actions, inhibitions or repercussions Beatriz pulls on George’s tie, and kisses him.

Losing his balance to topple over Beatriz, George responds to the kiss, if only to placate her fear.

The initially sweet, panic-laced kiss morphed into a passion fest. This passion is fueled by her acute need for comfort, and also because as she keeps her eyes closed, she imagines in the dark of her mind that the lips and hands roaming freely inside of her bra belong to another.

These warm and inquisitive hands emit a similar electrical current, creating goose bumps down her arms.
Her body and mind respond in kind, creating urgency for release and obliterating the panic of her enclosed space for the time being as she focuses solely on the sensual tide.

Eventually breaking their kiss, to travel lower to kiss down her neck and yet lower still to bathe her erect nipples with his gyrating tongue, George speaks: -“We should get up off the floor. I don’t want to crush you.”

-“Don’t say anything! I don’t want to move, just please don’t say another word, I have a big headache, and you brake up my concentration.” Beatriz reacted.

Instead of waiting for a reply, Beatriz kisses him once more and losses herself in the sensual fantasy she weaves as she goes along.

Taking hold of George’s right hand, she guides it to rest between her legs.

Releasing his hand, she uses her fingernails to rip her pantyhose at the juncture of her open thighs.

In reciprocal gesture of courtesy, Beatriz rubs him through his trousers, but does not dare to release him, as she focuses selfishly on her own pleasure.

His dexterous fingers find her sticky wet, warm, and velvety, as those quickly bring her over the edge.

Inserting his index finger into his mouth, George tastes her essence. Without saying a word he stands up, and then pulls her up by the arms and slams her against the wall on the corner of the elevator.

They initiate their passionate kissing once more, this time there is a subtle musky flavor savored in the saliva mix. George’s hand squeezes her right breast, as his right hand drapes her left leg to rest on the hand bar of the elevator.

Collecting her discarded coat and blouse off the floor, he drops those in front of Beatriz. He kisses her once more passionately and with uncommon force rips her minute panties at the crotch.

Paying passing homage to her breasts he suckles those as he kneels down to the floor where there is not a shred of modesty nor barrier.

The titillating shock of his pliant tongue on her core sends Beatriz over the edge almost immediately. George’s head covered by the umbrella of her skirt emits guttural, primate sounds as he laps with rabid hunger, as avidly as a canine.

Beatriz’ third climax was on the cusp, when the elevator doors are suddenly opened.

Beatriz bit her hand to avoid emitting any sounds. Although the flush that crept on her face and tremors that shook her frame, was evidence enough to the maintenance crew that she had arrived at her destination.



-“By the way, my name is Beatriz.” She said as she kissed George on the cheek and slipped him her number and walked away.




To be continued…

Velvet II

With an expression of dawning understanding, Beatriz ceases her flow of tears.

-“Oh yeah, I’ve heard about that.

It is common knowledge that Alberto Fujimori consulted a cadre of witch doctors, and that’s how he ruled the country both terms -- under the influence of them.

He frequently traveled to the Amazon jungle for counsel and protection.
But look how sick he is now; they say that there can be terrible consequences for dealing with that stuff.” Beatriz said with note of alarm.

-“There is white and there is black magic. And there are prospective governing armies of spirits for those.

When you deal with magic, you open a door, and something that is given, must be taken elsewhere. Would you dare to play with magic to get him back?” Carmen asked with mild curiosity.

-“I don’t know.

And besides, if I were to get him back, it would really not he him, you know. It would be a mirage, just a shell of the man and a diluted essence of who he is.

His strength and character which is what I am mainly drawn to, would be somehow usurped in the process by a caricature of his self.

I …I really don’t know, but I think that I am under a spell myself that must be broken. He’s in my thoughts constantly and in my blood which pumps in a never-ending cycle and burns for him.

Life has ceased to be a simple joy Carmen.

Sometimes I wish that my exit would be expedited. At least that’s what I requested to Santa Claus.” Beatriz said looking utterly dejected.

-“What the heart feels, is what your lips speak. Look at you; you have the saddest eyes. You need to start healing soon.
While you’re thinking about it, have you considered the healing power of touch?

From ancient times there have been temples worshipping the Goddesses of love, Ishtar and Aphrodite just to name a few.

In those temples, highly skilled priestesses called on the Divine Feminine to transmit with intent the healing energy of sexuality to heal and also to alleviate male aggression.

When one has sexual intercourse -- provided the energy is positive, one does not only connect with bodily parts, but also with that person’s soul.
That is why one must discriminate with whom to engage in such play.

But on the same token, engaging with someone who is generous and wants to help you heal soon, will in fact have a positive effect on you.

Just food for thought.” Carmen offered as an alternative.

-“Thanks Carmen, but where do I find a male version of those healing priestesses'? Post on Craig’s List under casual, yet healing encounters?

By the way, how would I go about putting a spell on this guy if I have nothing of his? Not even a picture. I purposely got rid of every reminder of him – literally.” Beatriz said with a frown.

-“Hmm... that is a tough one. You would have to ingeniate how to acquire something of his, even if it's just one strand of hair.
Do you think that you can do that?” Carmen asks.

-“If I really wanted to, I think that I could create an encounter.
But I’m not ready to; I don’t know how I would react in his presence. Yet, would pulling a hair strand from his scalp, not seem a bit odd?

Or perhaps I can contrive to be in such a situation that I perform oral sex on him, and in the moment of climax, pluck out a pubic hair!” Beatriz says with mock resolution followed by synchronized laughter.





Beatriz ran as fast as her high heeled shoes would permit her.
This made her look comical as her movements were economical, yet loud as she sprinted while tapping the marble flooring with a Morse code.

-“HOLD THE ELEVATOR!” Beatriz requested as she barely made it in. –“Thank you very much, I am running late.” She offered a smile of gratitude to the man sharing the elevator ride.

-“You’re most welcome, which floor would you like?” The man wearing a smart business suit cordially asks.

He seems very nice, and kind, and look at his hands! And he smells oh, so very, very nice.

Indicating the floor number, Beatriz maneuvers to stand just behind him and inhales discreetly a big whiff of his cologne which she absolutely adores instantly. His scent makes her weak on the knees.

If only I dared to ask for his number. But how? Using which excuse? Think damn it! There’s so little time left!

-“Do you work in this old building? I love old art deco buildings.”

-“No, I am just visiting a client. This is a lovely old building though. They don’t make them like this anymore.” The man in the smart suit politely answers.

You certified moron. Think fast!

Her idyllic appreciation of her elevator companion is suddenly paused by a jolt of the creaking old elevator which has stopped.

-“Don’t worry miss; I’m sure this will be taken care of promptly.” The man in the smart business suit offers as he plays with the emergency buttons.

Almost instantaneously the dreaded feeling of claustrophobia insidiously creeps upon Beatriz.
She starts to feel an abnormally accelerated heart beat, and chills run down her spine, even though she is starting to perspire simultaneously.

With every second ticking at a crawling pace, Beatriz feels herself start to panic and her air passages seem to contract. She paces the minuscule space back and forth like a caged wild animal and then starts taking off her shoes and coat.

-I can’t breath! I have to get out of here! Please call someone!” Beatriz labors to breathe and resorts to taking off her blouse to ventilate.
This exposes the expanse of her velvety breasts.



To be continued….

Velvet

-‘The finest steel has to go through the hottest fire.’ I heard someone once say.

It simply means that pain is a right of passage, to help one grow and mold you, and to help you find out who you really are – and the stuff you’re made of.

It’s okay to be sad for a while, but then you’ve got to snap out of it girl!” Carmen counseled energetically.

Beatriz wipes her eyes and blows her nose, closing the flow of tap water running down her cheekbones and irrigating her blouse.

-“Perhaps you’re right Carmen, but I still feel like shit. This is not me; I am not weak. Except where I am most vulnerable I guess.

I do feel myself transforming though. I feel as if I’m hardening and like….I feel like almost using men now. Does that make sense?” Beatriz inquires her eyes puffy as olives.

-“Ultimately, we all need each other – that’s the nature of things.

Of course there are women who will use men to make their life easier – some men being very easy to manipulate. Yet, you must find out which type of woman you really are.

Will you be okay with yourself afterwards? Or will repressing your loving nature lead to emptiness and self-loathing? Speaking of repression, have you sought a replacement?” Carmen suggested.

Galvanized into action by excessive energy, Beatriz jumps off the chair and starts pacing the room.

-“You have no idea Carmen. It is so difficult! It’s all in the voice and personality you see. I…I have not found someone with the same tone of voice, and personality, that I now know, that I will respond to.
It's like my psych is hardwired for that. Sadly, to the detriment of my will, pride, and all sense of propiety.

The one that makes me melt like butter on a sizzling summer day, and slow drip like a melting ice cream cone.

-“Girl, I think that it’s time that you get some sort of battery operated toy.” Carmen joked.

Raucous laughter is emitted.-“How can you tell that I’m practically going insane?

I really am!

Like I have this notion to buy shinny red pumps and wear those with a willowy skirt that flirts with the wind, and reaches just above my knees. Underneath I would wear nothing else, except that I’d be velvety smooth.”

-“Now, that is crazy! I don’t see why some women like to mess with nature and shave and wax. That is there for a reason. And besides, it’s too frigging cold right now!” Carmen protested.

-“Oh no, I like it. I like to touch it when it’s velvety smooth, and I even slather green apple scented lotion on it too.

But what is truly disturbing to his notion that I have is… that I’d like to let a large dog sniff and nuzzle my crotch. And even let it use its wet pink tongue – underneath my willowy skirt.

Dogs are mans’ best friend after all, and it’s a fact they’re more faithful then men."


-“Oh no girl! Before animal protection services process you, you’d better go buy one of them plastic, battery operated members. Those offer guaranteed satisfaction without messing with no dogs! Carmen said truly appalled.

Laughing heartedly again, Beatriz says, “I was just messing with you that I’d actually do it you know. Although not that I’m really fantasizing about it.

Anyways, thanks but no toys for me. I dislike big things stuffed inside – those hurt more than promote pleasure. Besides, no battery operated toy would ever replace the scent, taste and feel of a real man. Or replace his magical hands and tongue.

You know, I think that I will look for the right candidate for there is a saying that one nail pushes out another nail.

I need to push out the nail cleaving my heart.” The leaking faucet runs again.

-“Girl you stop that crying right now. Do you know in Haiti where I’m from there are witch doctors to cure all? You can bring him back you know. Make him unable to stop thinking about you, even subconsciously in his sleep.

It works too, why my aunt was beaten almost daily by my uncle when they were newly married. He was a mean son of a bitch with her. Suddenly one day, he was as docile as a lamb, and catered to her every whim. Of course now he suffers chronically from stomach problems.

I know some powerful people near Mc Arthur Park if you’re interested.” Carmen said with a wink of an eye.



To be continued…

Modern Scrooge VIII

-“There’s not much time to waste. You’re either in or out. I must leave soon and go about my regular routine for this to work out.” Mike said invigorated now that he had a plan.

-“Where is this pot of gold Michael, and how can we get to it?” Boris inquired.

-“What time is it now?”

-“It’s 8:10 AM. Get to the point.” Boris insisted.

-“I must hurry! I usually pick up my kids from where they live at 9:30 AM sharp. I need to go home and shower and be presentable and to pick them up as usual.”

-“What’s the urgency?” Boris inquired suspiciously.

-“Just so that nothing seems amiss. I will pick up my kids, and say hello to my ex-wife as usual. I know for a fact that she and her current boyfriend are leaving for a big party in San Diego and will stay the night in a fancy hotel for the weekend.
The housekeeper has been given time off since last Wednesday for the holidays.

Today I will take my kids to the matinee movies at the Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica. While my eldest is engrossed in the film, I will then steal the house keys which she carries in her purse, as she is dropped off the school bus just a block away from that house.

I will then slip out to make a copy, and then meet one of you there to give you those, along with a detailed map, and a list of what you need to gather so that you don’t take any junk.”

-“Then what -– what’s so valuable in that house?” Boris inquired with barely contained avarice.

-“I will be honest and tell you that perhaps you won’t find a lot of cash, unless one of you is an expert at breaking into safe deposit boxes.

I will map the location of her boyfriend’s study. The safe deposit would be either behind one of his valuable paintings, or in the bookshelves. Although, you can get a lot of loot without attempting to brake into it.

However, just the jewelry alone that my ex-wife owns is worth over $100,000.

They're both avid art collectors. Nothing in that house is worth less then $15,000, and as high as – well, let’s just say that he owns a Renoir that may not seem like much of a little oil painting, but it’s worth a staggering amount that would fuck your mind – and that’s an understatement.

He also fancies guns. He has an extensive display worth – I’m guessing – about $70,000.
The jewelery, gun collection, and some of the less notorious art can be coverted easily into cash to amount 250 grand.
With the Renoir we must be extremely meticulous as to whom we contact as a potential buyer, but therein lies the real pot of gold!

They are leaving early to San Diego, about 10:00 AM.

You can go this afternoon if you can get a hold of a utility van advertising carpet cleaning or plumbing services or the like.
Be sure to borrow a set of plates from any vehicle on the street.
Or you can go in the night, but then, you would have to turn on the light, and frankly there are too many glass windows in this two-story house.

Let’s hurry so that I can clean up, and give you the $20,000 cash!” Mike finished up his presentation.

-“Hmm…so there’s really not that much cash involved. What do you guys think?” Boris asked with a pensive look.

-“Don’t be lazy! Once we broker the Renoir everyone will get a very handsome cut -- including me! Take worthwhile risks in life Boris if you want to reach the summit. You could retire from a life of crime; you want to see your little girl grow up no?” Mike persuaded.

-“YOU want a cut? You are in no position to negotiate my friend. Why do you think that you are entitled to a cut?”

-“Trust me there will be more than enough for everyone to be happy.
You said so yourself Boris, that when necessity demands, ‘anarchy flourishes like rosebuds bloom in spring.’

I got to where I am by being a ruthless son of a bitch, and right now I am holding on to the edge of a precipice just by my fingernails.

What do you say, do we have a deal?” Mike asks as he extends his hand to Boris.

-“Okay, we have a deal.” Boris seals the pact.

-“Raul, do we have a deal and forget the past?” Mike asks as he extends his hand in a gesture symbolizing healing.



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