Smoke
Smoke stepped out of his twelve thousand square foot home and surveyed the collection of cars and trucks that all sat in pristine condition as they glimmered in the day’s sunshine. He knew that heading to the official party of one of M’Famous Ent.’s biggest stars was an event in which everyone who showed up would bring out their absolute best and he wasn’t about to be outdone by anyone. He was wearing an outfit that was soon to be revealed in their upcoming clothing line, which had been co-designed by Michael Kors, and he had on enough jewelry to feed a small village for months. He was a walking bank roll tonight with the various items he was wearing worth well over a million dollars. He was the CEO of one of the most successful businesses in Memphis, and tonight everyone who didn’t would know that without a doubt he had paper. He chose to drive his million dollars plus, heavily upgraded, Porsche 918 Spyder, one of the fastest and most expensive vehicles in the world. He knew that he was going to shut the parking lot down.
Smoke left home and decided to cruise through the city before he reached the party, just to do a little extra flexing, and he let the convertible top down so everyone could see who he was. He knew how the streets of Memphis were though, so he had his Desert Eagle .45 laid across his lap. Smoke had been riding around the city for thirty minutes, when he saw the lights of a police cruiser flashing in his rearview mirror.
“Hatin’ mothafuckas,” Smoke said to himself and looked for somewhere to pullover.
Due to the current nature of relations between police and black men, Smoke didn’t pullover until he reached the parking lot of a gas station since it was a public space that would have cameras to record whatever may unfold. He put the Desert Eagle out of sight, hoping that this would just be a bullshit harassment stop as usual. Two officers approached him, both happened to be white males.
“What seems to be the problem this evening officers," Smoke asked nonchalantly.
“We’ll ask all the questions here, sir,” said one officer, who had his hand rested on top of his handgun, “Whose car is tis?”
Though he was heated by the way the cop was trying to handle him, Smoke knew he had to keep cool in order to get out of the situation as smooth and as soon as possible.
“It’s my car,” he said.
“What are you some kind of drug dealer or somethin’, selling that good good,” the other officer said and the two cops laughed.
“Mane what do ya’ll want? I got somewhere to be,” Smoke said beginning to become impatient.
“Whatever you got goin’ on that you want to leave so fast to get to can wait. You’ll leave when we say you can, sir,” the one with the itchy trigger finger said. “We’ll need your license and registration, and I hope you got insurance on this here fancy dancy automobile.”
Smoke moved to reach to the glove compartment, where he kept the documents for his vehicles.
“Hey! Goddamnit, what the hell are you doing?” Trigger-happy yelled and stepped back from the car.
Both officers were now holding their guns in their hands and had them pointed at Smoke, which drew the attention of people moving in and out of the gas station.
“What the fuck?!” Smoke said and raised his hands. “You asked for my insurance and registration, they’re in the glove box.”
The officers slowly lowered their guns, but didn’t put them away.
“Reach slowly and use one hand,” Trigger-happy’s partner said.
Smoke only shook his head as he reached for the documents. He had just nearly become another statistic in a stop by police, for no reason other than his appearance. He handed Trigger-happy’s partner the requested documents and sat back while the officer left to run his information.
“You boys sure like putting yourselves in situations to get good and shot. Then everyone wants to blame us for your stupidness,” Trigger-happy said.
“You know what, I would waste my time and breath telling you something, but boys like you are too stupid to understand,” Smoke said in response, though he wanted to say much more.
“I’m gon' need you to step out of the car now, sir,” Trigger-happy said.
“No,” Smoke replied flatly. “I know my rights, and if you want to go through this, I’ll call my lawyer, Timothy Carson, to come and clear up any misunderstanding.”
The officer’s face scrounged up at the mention of the attorney’s name. Timothy Carson was notorious throughout the ranks of the police force. He had taken the cases of many who had accused the police of overstepping their authority and excessive force, and had several of them either fired or incarcerated. What was the worst part was that he mostly represented African American and the fact that he himself was white.
“You motherfuckers think you’re so smart, but you and that piece of shit need to remember who’s really in control,” Trigger-happy all but screamed.
At that point Smoke began to ignore the petty rants of the officer while he waited on the other to return with his license and other things. About five minutes later the other officer finally returned, and he was about to say something when the microphone on his shoulder sounded and he spoke with the dispatcher on the other end. There was a call for assistance by another unit that was nearby, and the officer threw Smoke’s license and other things into his car and the two cops walked away quickly to their cruiser, got in, and sped off the lot.
Aggravated, Smoke got out of his car and went into the store to get him something to drink. Once he reached the cash register he grabbed a couple of scratch tickets just for the hell of it. He scratched off the tickets and the second one showed that he had won an hundred thousand dollars. Smoke could only laugh to himself. Even when they tried to knock him down, he just kept on winning. As he walked out of the door he saw an older black couple and he handed them the ticket and kept walking.
Smoke made his way to the party, which was at one of the hottest night clubs in Memphis. It was owned by Legend, another major figure in the city, who also owned a successful record label. The parking lot was already live, with hot cars and sexy women walking around trying to catch a baller. Just as he expected, all eyes were on him as he pulled into his reserved parking space. Most people didn’t really know what he was driving other than the fact that there was Porsche sign on it, and that its futuristic design was captivating. Smoke stepped out and immediately the cameras came out as well. There were several hip-hop and other entertainment media publications on hand to record the event for their respective companies, and they all wanted a piece of the flashy CEO. And for the night Smoke would let them eat their hearts out. He took his time making his way to the entrance, stopping to speak with several familiar faces from the streets. He was swarmed by many half-dressed women, some wanting pictures, other trying to hand him pieces of paper that held phone numbers, which they had been handing out well before he showed up.
Dusk had begun to set in, and it was time for the party to shift to the inside where the real ballers were, and M’Famous Ent.’s finest were all gathered. Smoke stepped inside to more camera flashes and adoring women, and he greeted various members of his label and others of Memphis’ social elite. He made his way to the back of the club where there was a section reserved for him and the other M’Famous VIPs.
Triggamane’s latest club banger was blasting from the club’s stereo system and Smoke caught the vibe as he met up with his cousin C-Note, Triggamane, and others. There were already drinks and bottles all over the tables and the strong pungent smell of expensive marijuana permeated throughout the air. M’Famous Ent. was definitely ready to party hard for the night.
“Wassup boss man,” Triggamane said as Smoke took a seat.
“What’s happening birthday boy. You ready to turn up or what?” Smoke said as he gave him dap.
“You already know it. I gotta let ‘em know I still got it on smash,” Triggamane said and then took off his Gucci sunglasses revealing red, half-closed eyes.
“Boy yo’ as it lit.”
“I’m just a star trying to reach the moon.”
The party really started jumping then, with more liquor flowing and multiple lap dances from the hired dancers.
After lots of drinking Smoke had to piss, so he got up from the table with a couple of Shock troops tailing him. When he stepped back out of the restroom, Smoke bumped into a woman as she came out of the women’s bathroom walking backwards as she talked to someone still inside. When the girl turned back around she flashed the most dazzling smile Smoke had ever seen. Make up wasn’t piled up on her face like most of the other women at the party. Her clothing was also more conservative, a long black dress with an open back.
“Oops, I’m sorry,” the woman said when she turned around and looked up at the taller Smoke
“You should be sorry,” Smoke said which caused a confused look to cross the woman’s face. “Cause I know I am. I should’ve met you a long time ago, with that beautiful smile,”
The woman’s initial expression gave way to another smile, which Smoke returned with one of his own.
“How many women go for that line,” the woman said.
“I’on known. It’s only one I hope it work on tonight. What’s your name?”
The woman studied him consideringly for a moment, looking at the jewelry that draped him. “What are you, a rapper or something?"
“Who named you all that, they had to be trippin’.”
The woman gave him another look. “You know that ain’t my name, while you trying to be funny.
“Ai’ight, ai’ight, I’ll play twenty one questions tonight just to get yo’ name. No, I’m not a rapper.”
“A drug dealer?”
“What, you got some kinda checklist of who you’ll deal with or something?”
“Yes I do. And if you want my name you’ll have to make it through it.”
“Yo’ lil bossy ass. You lucky I got a good feeling 'bout you. Naw, baby girl, I’on sell drugs.”
“What do you do then, because I know a regular nine to five won’t pay for a Dewitt Napoleon.”
Smoke was impressed that that the girl knew what the exclusive watch was. “You know what this is, you been around some money then. You dated somebody in here before?” he asked knowing some of the women were there to catch up with one of their exes who may have been there that night.
“No. I don’t date rappers or drug dealers, and that’s pretty much all that’s in here tonight.”
“You ain’t see Z-Bo over there in V.I.P., he don’t sell drugs,” Smoke shot back enjoying the exchange.
“Wow, one person.”
Smoke definitely liked the woman’s confidence and what seemed to be her genuine demeanor. “So what is yo’ name Ms.?” he asked her.
She stood for a moment just looking at him. “Alicia,” she finally said.
“Are you sho’, cause you look like you had to think about it,” Smoke said back to her questioningly.
“Yeah, I’m sure. I just had to be sure I wanted to tell you. You lucky I got a good feeling about you,” she said returning his comment from earlier and they both smiled.
“So what is your name, and what do you do that got you with all this expensive stuff on?”
“Errbody call me Smoke, and I’m the CEO of a record label that I co-own with a partna.”
Alicia eyed the large M’Famous medallion on the chain around his neck. “This ya’ll party then huh? It’s nice.”
“Nice?” Smoke thought. The party was live as hell and she had made the semi-offhand remark and called it nice.
“Where you from Alicia, cause I’ m starting to get the feeling you ain’t really from round here.”
“I am from Memphis, thank you very much, but I just came back from college in California.”
“California. I love it out there, but I could never get comfortable knowing the ground might start moving at any time. Anyway, what school you go to?”
“University of Cal-Berkley. I studied communications. I want to work in media in some kind of way, I just haven’t figured out how yet.”
“Just waste yo’ momma and daddy money and party it up, huh,” Smoke said teasingly.
“For your information, Mr. CEO, I got a full academic scholarship on my own, and, I graduated already. I’m just trying to find a job back her at home so I can be close to my momma and daddy. Plus, I don’t like knowing the ground might start moving on me.”
Smoke just looked at Alicia’s pretty face and tight body, and he like the whole package.
“You know what Alicia, I can’t even front, I’m really feeling you already, so wassup wit’ me and you really getting to know each other. Maybe I can take you somewhere sometime. I would ask you to hang out tonight, but my partnas gon’ be wildin’ too hard. I don’t want it to start off like that cause I get the feeling that ain’t really yo’ thang.”
“Don’t get it twisted; I will get a lil ratchet and crazy too, but naw, wilding not really my thing. I just like to have a decent time when I’m out.”
“And I want you to, so let me get yo’ info so we can get up.”
“How you know I don’t have a man?”
“You just got back from California. You ain’t got no man, so don’t play games.”
“If I give it to you, yo' baby momma won’t start calling me at three in the morning asking where you are, will she?”
“Ain’t nobody calling you but me, so stop stalling and come off them digits.”
A small group of women came through and they asked Smoke to take a few pictures, with one asking him to autograph her breast with a Sharpie. Smoke eyed Alicia, but she seemed to have a neutral expression the whole time. Once the women walked into the bathroom, Alicia stepped back up to him.
“I don’t want to be another horse in somebody stable, so either you in it to win or, don’t waste our time, Mr. CEO,” Alicia said now with her arms crossed.
“You sound like you just holding me up right now, Alicia. If you want me to keep you company a lil bit longer, just say so,” Smoke replied casually.
A big smile spread across Alicia’s face. “You wouldn’t really know if I didn’t say so, but I am. My friend is still in there on the damn toilet, and I don’t really want to be out there by myself. I don’t really know nobody up in here.”
“Oh so you slick too. This a bad way to be starting a relationship Ms. Alicia.”
“Oh, now we starting a relationship?”
“As a matter of fact, we just did, you mine now.”
“I am not a possession. I’m not anybody’s.”
“Maybe not before, but it’s a first time for everything. And I read something about women who say they don’t want to be possessed, they usually possessive, is that the case wit’ chu?”
Alicia remained silent, but didn’t look away from him. “Maybe I am, is there something wrong with that,” she said after a moment.
“Apparently not when it’s goin’ yo’ way. You know what, come on and let me buy you a drank and let’s talk for a minute.”
“What about my friend?”
“Just stick yo’ head in there and tell her you at the bar.”
After considering it for a moment, Alicia went into the restroom and Smoke noticed the sensuous curves of her body in full view for the first time as she walked away. She reemerged shortly.
“Before we go, what is your real name, cause I’m not about to be saying Smoke all night. One of these fools might think I’m selling something or trying to buy it,” Alicia said.
Smoke could only shake his head at her cynism. “Girl ain’t nobody on that. These people got all the smoke they looking for already. And my name is Sean, so come on and let me get you somethin.”
The two went over to the bar and had a few drinks while they got to know one another. Smoke told Alicia about how they had begun the label, and some of the highs and lows of the company. She also wanted to know more about his private life outside of the music industry, and about his family, which was something that he wasn’t used to from the women he met. Most of the ones he had met over the last couple years were really after his celebrity and hopefully a come-up, with a baby or some other sort of scheme. He relayed to her his vision of expanding their burgeoning empire in other areas, and he was impressed by some of the ideas that she offered up.
Alicia then went on to tell him how she grew up on the eastside of Memphis. Though she and her family were far from well off, they had a small corner store that they had been operating for some years. She had two older sisters and one younger brother and her parents were still together. Alicia told him that she wasn’t really interested in running her family’s business, which was one of the reasons she had chosen the field that she did in college. Regardless of that, she said her parents were still insisting that she get involved, seeing as that she was one of the more responsible and intelligent of the children. Smoke asked her about her last relationship and she said that she didn’t want to talk about it then, but that she’d tell him eventually. Smoke left it alone because he didn’t want to disturb the good vibe that they had going.
Several people stopped by to greet Smoke and the new beauty at his side. At one point one of his former girlfriends came up and flirted with Smoke as though Alicia wasn’t there. Smoke could tell that his ex, Camille, was trying to agitate Alicia, who only sat calmly on the side, which made Smoke love her demeanor all the more. C-Note also came by, and Smoke introduced him to Alicia. Shortly afterwards Smoke was called to the stage, after Triggamane had given a performance. He and C-Note ended up performing a song as well, and when he left the stage he received a text from Alicia telling him that she was leaving but hoped to hear from him soon.