Free Knockout Games by G. Neri

“Today’s your day, P. You decide.”
    Prince was caught off guard, his mind obviously churning, trying to decide if Kalvin was serious or not. When K didn’t bat an eye, Prince finally beamed like he’d been handed command of a ship. “ Orale, Tokeheads, listen up!”
    The crew looked at each other, unsure. Prince surveyed the park like he was buying time. Maybe he didn’t know what to say.
    Kalvin rolled his eyes. “Are we gonna do this or what? Or should I ask Fish to take over?”
    That settled it. Prince stood there awkwardly for a few seconds, then turned to inspire his troops.
    There were six Tokers. Different from yesterday, except for C-Jay. Prince picked the smallest one. “You. Tyrone.”
    â€œTyreese,” he answered.
    â€œ ’Spensa —my bad,” he said. “Now come here, Tyrone.”
    I took out my camera and decided not to use my zoom. Today, I’d get right into the action. I was right up in his face. I could see through the lens that he was scared, but he put up a good front.
    â€œIgnore her,” Prince said. “You wanna be in the TKO Club, right?”
    He nodded. “Yeah.”
    â€œYou ready to man up, ese ?”
    He puffed out his chest to prove it. “Bring it.”
    Prince laughed. “A’ight.” He scoped out the park, saw one of those guys with a metal detector sweeping the grass for lost quarters. “Him.”
    Tyreese frowned. “Man, he got on a headset. I might hurt my hand on that thing.”
    Prince rolled his eyes. “ Chingada , are you kidding me? Don’t hit his headset, then!”
    â€œWhat if he move when I swing?”
    â€œJesus, you want me to hold that pendejo for you?” Prince had had enough. “You know what? Fuck it. I have another idea.”
    I was focused on this kid’s eyes darting around when I heard Prince say, “Fish.”
    I looked up. “What?”
    â€œCome here.”
    I glanced over at Kalvin, but all he did was motion with his head for me to go. I looked to Destiny for support. “What’re you afraid of? Prince Rodriguez?”
    Fine. I walked up to him. “What?”
    Prince motioned to the metal detector guy. “Go ask that dude for a cigarette.”
    â€œI don’t smoke.”
    He gazed at me like I was the stupid one. “You’re the, what you call it—the diversion. You ask him for a cigarette and he won’t be able to hear you then he’ll take off his headset. Then baby Tyrone here can do his thing.”
    â€œIt’s Tyreese!” he said.
    â€œYou’re making this too complicated,” I said. “Why don’t you just pick another guy?” I asked.
    He was annoyed. “ Nena , you’re a girl. He’ll answer you. He’s probably the kind of guy who digs the fatties—”
    â€œDon’t.” I gave him the stare down. Don’t mess with the Fish .
    He backed off. “My bad.” He shuffled in place, resigning himself to my protest. “Look, just do this, please, and don’t make me look like a douche,” he said softly.
    â€œToo late.” I sighed and started walking toward the metal detector man.
    â€œHey, gimme your camera,” he said. “I’ll shoot you.”
    There was zero chance of that. I headed down, Tyreese on my heels. When I was about ten feet away, I circled around so I wouldn’t be sneaking up on the guy. Tyreese stopped.
    The man was about fifty, balding with beady eyes. He was scowling at a stray cat who was rubbing up against his leg and getting in the way of his work. When the cat didn’t take the hint, the guy booted it away. Nice.
    He wasn’t paying any attention to me, so I waved at him, pursed my lips, and held my fingers up to them. He ignored me.
    â€œHey!” I said.
    His eyes drifted up toward me. “What?”
    â€œYou got a cigarette?” I asked.
    Annoyed at being