Drillmington: To Hell With Sweat!

Once The show ended, TSL collected $50,000. His elation remained subdued as he heard the rumble of the crowd. He looked over at the open door to his dressing room and walked with a purpose to see who resided in the private area. Of course it was Julisia. She talked on the phone.

“Of course, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Yes. Yes. We’re working on developing that. Alright. Take care, sir.”

“Who was that?” TSL asked.

“The Wilmington Police Chief. He was in talks with the Delaware State Commissioner. We’re getting positive feedback on your videos for gun safety. That want you to come on board and be an honorary cop…I know what you’re going to say…you want your rap career and to remain anonymous when it comes to street justice.”

“Should I say more? I mean I’ve made that pretty clear up to now that I’m trying to balance the two. If that kid recognized me, if he had, I’d be in trouble. ‘A drill rapper was found shot to death in his own Goulding after word about his double life surfaced.’”

“Okay, okay. We can make this as discreet as possible. No ceremonies, no cake and ice cream, just a badge as an honorary cop.”

TSL exhaled. “I know what you mean, but even then, there’s someone with their smartphone ready to snap a photo and post it to a social network. That’s all I need. I just need someone to see me on a mobile device and then blaow!”

Julisia looked at him with furrowed brows.

“It doesn’t have to be that way. At all. Don’t look at the negative. Consider the positive aspects. You’ll get the pension that is due officers on the force after twenty years. You’ll have access to records to aid in the investigations of dozens of cases.”

“And you?”

“I’ll have the same privileges and rights.”

He looked at her. It was a look of patience and grace. He understood what she was saying. He wanted the same. In his mind, he could see the honorary badge glistening on his corpse, however.

She continued. “We’ll be getting even more money from the videos and the drops that we do on a regular basis. The crimes that we should be fighting aren’t crimes at all. There is no ‘hate crime'.’ There is only a crime focused on a specific group to be violence against in that way.”

“I get it,” he said. “We can fight the crimes of the people who hold this animosity and target them. And do all of this with the sense that we’re supposed to be focused on the rap game and still hunt down the bad ones.”

Julisia raised to her feet and outstretched her arms.

“I’m all sweaty, babe. I think if we take a shower....”

“We?” Julisia smirked. She kissed his cheek.

“Everything is going to work in our favor. Not because of some mystical force, but because of the ability for the men and women who will be working beside us in this whole operation. Everything we do is going to permit us to be the force for pushing this city, this state, this country, this world towards proper laws.”

“That’s right. We’re going to be empowered to be even more resilient when it comes to being the figures for righteousness.”

Julisia smiled. It was a happy, joyous smile that warmed TSL.

“To hell with the sweat!” He wrapped his arms around Julisia. It made him feel like he could do anything. He could roam the backstage with confidence, knowing that the crowd was none the wiser about his secret life.