The Vapours

By Selwyn Jeffers

Shawn "Banneker" Beckford is a young handsome charismatic business student. He uses his charm and social skills to make connections with all walks of life. His connections have led him to being in the middle of the drug trade. Shawn realizes that he's now the gatekeeper for Toronto's underworld. Will he graduate and become a successful businessman? Or will his deadly connections cause his demise?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Selwyn Jeffers
• Release date: Oct 30, 2017
• ISBN: 9781773700762

Book preview

Acknowledgement

First of all I’d like to thank God and this book wouldn’t be possible without the direct/indirect contribution of the following people. To my dear friend Raymond Antao thanks you for the life altering advice. Tariq Nasheed, Natasha Caesar, Scott Lunn, Hotep (the author) Rochelle Carter, Jennifer Fallon, Sabrina Duckworth, (Uncle) Dave Henson, Blake Van Delft, Roxanne Van Gemmert, Natasha Miller, Erin Ball, Rochelle Carter. Special thanks to my parents and to my inspirations Iceberg Slim and Donald Goines. For everyone from Toronto and the GTA thanks for inspiring me everyday.

Jeffers Statement

You may not know me by face but my fingerprints are all over this city. So my decision making will change the landscape of this city. My connection to this city goes beyond, race, gender, class or sexual orientation. I’m the gatekeeper for the rich, the poor, the young, the old, the educated and the ignorant. When I see you on the streets I can feel your energy, its either admiration or contempt, you fear my dark skin, my stature intimidates you, my tattoo and physique makes you feel uncomfortable. But beneath it all I have an unstoppable work ethic, I’m extremely resilient and I have the blessing of my ancestors on my back. And I know how they have been exploited throughout history, and neither I nor my family will suffer. They won’t go hungry and they won’t go without. Soon I’m gonna drop the guillotine, and when it drops heads will roll. I’m gonna have this city on its knees and you won’t know your next move. I have connections from the streets to the boardroom and no opportunity or resource will ever be denied from me. You don’t know how I’ll appear, as a businessman, chief of police, a lawyer or maybe I’m the city’s next mayor but the main point is I’m coming.

The calm before the storm

Banaker

The Jungle

Its 8:15 am on a spring morning in Toronto, 16-month old Bryanna Evelyn Beckford has just crawled out of her crib looking for mischief. As she creeps through the lowly dimmed hallway, she pushes the squeaky bedroom door she sees her parents draped around each other snoring harmoniously. The closer she gets the more the sun starts to beam off her plastic hair bubbles and the louder the alarm sounds off her father’s iphone 7. Bryanna then uses the comforter for leverage and crawls towards her sleeping father. She starts playing with his nose, he simply just re-positions himself to get a better rest, this delights Bryanna as her bright eyes starts to luminate and she flashes her gummy smile. Bryanna then starts playing with her father’s eye lids; he then swats her away like an irritating fly. A startled Bryanna almost falls off the bed and immediately starts wailing. Both parents jump up to see why their daughter is crying. 22-year-old Shawn Beckford quickly starts hushing his bundle of pride and joy.

What’s going on? Asked the Jamaican import Chantelle Simpson.

I dunno. I felt something was bothering my face so I just swatted it away, I didn’t realize it was Bryanna. Shawn replies.

Aren’t you late for school? Asked Chantelle.

Yea I’m about to be.

Okay gimme the baby.

Shawn hands Chantelle the toddler and starts to hustle to get ready, he grabs a red and black Lacoste t-shirt and denim jeans.

"Do you need a lunch? Asked Chantelle.

No, a half day. Says Shawn.

Shawn goes to the bathroom and he then turns his attention from rushing to get ready to a session of self admiration. First brushes his teeth and washes the sleep rocks out his eyes then he starts brushing his chin strap and starts picking his black and blonde Mohawk with his black fisted afro-pick. Then he puts on deodorant and starts putting on his clothes to cover up his tatted Olympic swimmer physique. He proceeds to the door of his basement apartment where Chantelle awaits him with his backpack in one hand and holding Bryanna in the other.

Why aren’t you rushing, aren’t you late? Asked Chantelle.

‘Yea I am but it’s just a lecture I can get notes." mumbled Shawn.

What time are you coming home?

I dunno I gotta run a couple errands...okay I gotta go.

He puts on his Toronto Raptors varsity jacket with his matching red and black Jordan 6. Shawn then kisses Chantelle,

Da da. waves Bryanna.

Bye pumpkin.

Shawn kisses Brianna on the forehead.

Shawn then walks up the stairs of his basement apartment, as he consumes the scent of smog mixed with morning dew from a rainy night. It’s just another day in the diverse North West Toronto neighborhood of Lawrence Height. Better known as The Jungle for its history of violence. Shawn then puts on his headphone and listens to ‘The Weeknd’ as he takes his five minute habitual walk to Lawrence West station. Shawn then goes on the Bloor TTC subway line, and sees the same familiar faces he sees every day, the train is a sea of hair weaves, turbans, hajabs and fitted Toronto Blue Jays hats, and they are all into their smart phones in unison. A beautiful Korean girl in her twenties is sitting down trying to make eye contact with the standing Shawn, But Shawn is too indulged in his music to take notice. After another 5 minutes Shawn gets off at St. George station, where he makes the short commute to University of Ontario (Toronto campus).

The 6’4 senior arrives at school and is standing out like a giraffe in the prairies of Africa. After dodging students in the congested school foyer, Shawn tries to discreetly come inside the class without anyone noticing. His 54-year-old British professor Liam Roddick calls him out.

Mr Beckford it’s nice to know that you at least made it here on Jamaican standard time.

Everyone laughs while Shawn walks by grinning.

So Christopher Columbus navigated the new world when he first met the natives. You know what? Fuck this white propaganda; it’s just a narcissistic fictional white supremacist version of how history went. How did the Chinese empire do business? What was the Moors interaction with the Spaniards like? How did the Egyptians in ancient Kemit run their empire? Liam boasts.

And more importantly what specialties do you posses within to make you a special businessperson? I can read you this bullshit about these historic thieves and tricksters all day. But all it will teach you is to be a naive overworked salary paid tool bag. And that’s not my intentions. You represent U of O, I mentor thriving businesspeople not tool bags.

Liam closes the text book.

On that note I need an essay on the Rockefellers next Wednesday.

Everyone laughs.

See you next Wednesday.

Everyone begins to file out except Shawn who approaches Liam.

Liam how’s your work load going? asks Shawn.

Fine why do you ask? Liam peculiarly looks up.

My papers is gonna be a day late Shawn pleads.

No Shawn.

I know you’re saying no based on principle and fairness towards my classmates. But that 24 hours isn’t effecting your bottom line, and you said it yourself delayed work doesn’t equate delayed work Shawn quotes.

Okay deal says Liam.

Thank you sir. Shawn replies

You won’t lose marks for this assignment, but your next late assignment will lose 16% each day if you’re late. Liam warns

That’s fine Shawn agrees.

Are you going to 420?

Nah the whole U of O faculty are on my cock, those bloody wankers are mad at me because I call out and make the school president looks stupid. Now they’re doing anything to get rid of me, but normally I’d love too.

Alright no problem I’ll see you Wednesday then.

The Vapours

Shawn leaves school and takes his traditional journey down Bloor St to one of his favorite hangout spot The Vapours. As Shawn walks by he’s getting his daily stares; stares of fear, intimidation, envy, ignorance and lust. Shawn doesn’t notice though, because he has the immaculate swagger; a teeter that swings from confidence to arrogance. On his journey he pinballs between Indian hipsters to Asian computer nerds to Afro-Caribbean hustlers to affluent white collar snobs. After passing a strip of European/American boutique shops and a series of Asian restaurants. As he enters The Vapours, he smells the familiar but vague scent of vaporized marijuana and the distorted EDM music starts sounding clearer. Shawn is greeted by 38 year old Jaime Crocker who after 3 failed businesses feels he found a goldmine in The Vapours. The divorced high school drop-out is using The Vapours success as leverage for vindication towards family and peers.

Oh Bannaker you’re back with your resume. Jaime laughs.

No resumes just some school books and assignments.

Shawn starts scoping the place out, there’s nothing unusual on a Wednesday at 3:30pm, just a couple hipsters sharing a bong, a Rasta in the corner smoking a weed pipe and an interracial couple vaporizing marijuana. Shawn’s eyes now takes set on Erica Jenkins a 24-year-old 5’3 dark-skinned dime that is Canadian born but an Atlanta import. She is here to complete her social studies degree at Humber College. Shawn and Erica’s volcanic sexual tension has been brewing for months and is at a point of erupting. Erica is cleaning bongs and weed pipes when she makes eye contact with Shawn.

Are you gonna clean my pipe next? Shawn jokes.

You can only wish Erica laughs.

Shawn then starts to look at Screwjob a drug addict and 31 years-old struggling comedian that works at ‘The Vapours’ Erica starts subtlety twerking as she walks by Shawn. Shawn notices but can’t be bothered in giving a reaction. Screwjob is cleaning tables when Shawn comes over.

What’s up Screwjob?

What’s up Bannaker says Screwjob.

They dap.

You reaching 420? Shawn inquires.

Nah Sgt. Fuckboy Jaime won’t let me leave, instead me and LL Cool J are stuck here.

Yup that’s employee life Shawn agrees.

Shawn then feels someone grabbing his kneecap, it’s Lil’ Lyle Johnson aka LL Cool J, Lyle is a little person with the ego and confidence of a 7 foot NBA All-Star Centre and has a great appetite for sex, drugs and partying.

Tap out my ninja Lyle jokes

Lyle you’re cray, Connor shows you a couple mma moves now you’re Bones" Jones.

So whatchu saying fam? asks Shawn

Shawn daps Lyle.

Nothing still, I’m just finishing off this shift, then do a line, then smash a ting, you know how I get down. Says Lyle.

Yea I’m sorry that you’re stuck here with Blowjob instead of having a session at Dundas square

Fuck off Shawn says Screwjob .

Everyone laughs.

No lost here they’re just gonna talk their political bullshit then spark up, That’s my life every day, but yo do you wanna hit this butter before you reach 420? asks Lyle

Nah I’m good bro. Shawn replies.

I’ll take a hit says Dennis Cleaver.

Dennis is 20 year old unemployed, underachieving black man that will settle for anything from an unattractive out of shape woman to roach at the bottom of an ashtray.

Dennis what did I tell you about mooching? asked Shawn

Ain’t nobody mooching fam I brought my own weed

Dennis then uncurls a half a gram of weed balled up in some sweaty toilet paper.

Well go smoke your Chinese bush bullshit weed and get the fuck out please and fuck you. Lyle yells.

Who you getting turnt on nigga? Ain’t nobody begging for your weed, I’m out; I’m not taking disrespect from a munchkin. Dennis leaves,

Oh yea this munchkin was munching on your mother’s pussy last night!

I swear this place is better than a realty show. Shawn laughs.

I’m out too.

Shawn leaves.

Hey Yo tell Big Con man to come check me later. Lyle requests.

420

Shawn has arrived at 420 at Dundas Square. All walks of life are in attendance, hipsters, underground rappers and singers, cancer patients, rastas and professionals just to name a few. Shawn takes off his headphones to hear the left wing pro-marijuana speaker’s rhetoric and to observe the event. After the speaker’s interlude for marijuana inspired trap music, people are socializing and sharing blunts. A wandering Shawn bumps into his cousin Desmond ‘Frecks Red Beckford, Frecks is 29 year-old that stands at a stocky and muscular 5’9 and is called Frecks Red because of his light-skinned complexion, his freckles and his light brown hair.

Whatchu saying Fam? Frecks asks as they dap.

Nothing mi deyah still, I’m just gonna bun a bit then reach mi yard. I’m looking to push this Kush and this trap mix tape I made still Frecks brags.

How much are you charging? asks Shawn

The CD for five or ten dollars. Says Frecks

Nah fam, give that away for free Shawn scolds.

Fuck you nigga! Do you know how much work I put into this shit? I have kids to feed! says Frecks

Calm down fam.

I’m a hustler not a humanitarian Frecks yells.

You’re an un-established rapper; at least pretend that you’re more interested in getting exposure than getting their money. If you give it away you’ll stand out amongst the other Kush men and if they like your music you’ll create a buzz for your music and Kush says Shawn.

You know what I haven’t thought of it like that, good looking out.

Yuh dun know fam. Shawn says

They dap.

Shawn then sees big Connor Con man Millsap. At 6’6" 270 lbs, with multiple tattoos and a blonde Mohawk Connor is often mistaken for a biker or a skinhead but he isn’t hard to find.

What’s up Con man? says Shawn

Hey what’s up bro? You good?

They dap.

Yo come hit this.

Connor offers Shawn a big blunt, Shawn obliges after two draws Shawn starts coughing hard.

Yea eh

Connor starts laughing.

Mr. Weung is stepping his game up; he claims that’s Cali bud. Says Connor

Yea it hit me hard still, but yo LL wants you to hit him up at the loungeSays Shawn

What does he want?

I dunno I’m just the messenger Shawn shrugs.

That lil’ shit is so annoying, one day I’m gonna wrap him in toilet paper and clean my ass with him

They both laugh.

Does Mr. Weung have any work for you? asks Shawn

No all he ever has is savage work for me as usual. Why has he called you for work recently? asks Connor

Yea kinda I’m just gonna runs some credit cards or something for him. Shawn replies.

Lucky you, but yo I have a job for you says Connor

What’s up?

Do you wanna bounce a club with me? Two bills for the night.

I don’t do soca clubs.

Connor laughs.

Look at me, who’s gonna hire me for a fete?

Okay cool I’m not beating up lil’ drunk guys who can’t hold their liquor says Shawn

Nah this is a mixed club, a lot of white girls and shit everyone.

So they’ll be playing Flo Rida and Black Eye Peas all night? Shawn jokes

I don’t fucking know I’m not the promoter, just flex bust screw-face and be black and get paid. Are you in?

Yea I’m in

Alright I’ll text you the info this week

Cool says Shawn

They both go their separate ways.

Everyone then counts down to 4:20 and lights up. Shawn is then about to leave when he sees one of his classmates Bobby Singh a 5’10" swagged out 21 year-old Indian kid.

Yo Bobby? Shawn yell,

Bobby looks around until he locates Shawn and comes over smiling.

Shawn, whatchu saying?

I’m just chilling, all ready for mid-terms?

I didn’t even start studying yet Bobby laughs.

Yea me either Shawn agrees.

But Shawn can you hook me up with some molleys, weed or yayo?

What the fuck’s wrong with you don’t you see the bwoy dem all around here? Shawn snaps...

My bad I’m having a party and I need some supplies

Yea but there’s a time and place for that, so when’s this party?

In a couple weeks but its mostly Indian people there, no black guys sorry

What does that mean?

You know how some brown guys act emo and weird when a black guy is around their women, and you’re a big black guy, it won’t go well.

It’s all good I have a girl anyway I’m not looking to intimidate anyone. I was just making conversation. So what’s up with the jewellery?

Oh Yea did you want African or Indian gold?

It doesn’t matter.

Don’t worry I gotchu, so what’s up with the black girls, I’ve always wanted to get with one.

Why you telling me this? Get one

Hook me up!

Man you’re low-key cock-blocking me with the brown girls then you turn around and tell me you want black pussy? Let’s keep this on a business level go on tinder and holla at some sisters if you want.

Alright I’ll get back at you with the gold says Bobby

Cool. Says Shawn.

Mr. Weung

Shawn has just left school and is heading back on the TTC. It’s 3pm and train is full of commuters. Shawn is holding on the pole bobbing his head to hip-hop until he reaches his stop at Rosedale station. He then takes the 10 minute bus to the affluent Rosedale neighbourhood. He’s there to meet he’s there to meet with Mr. Weung a sharply dressed 43 year-old Asian-Canadian that stands 5’6 with a slight build and glasses. Shawn rings the doorbell and one of Mr. Weung’s cousins opens the door for Shawn,

Thanks, is Weung here.

Yea he’s in his office.

He goes to Mr. Weung’s office where Mr Weung is working on his laptop.

Mr Weung?

Hey Shawn how’s it going buddy? How’s the baby and how’s school?

Bryanna is great, she’s doing something new every day, and school is going okay as well.

Yea getting an education is very important; no one can ever take that away from you. I wish more of your people would realize that

Look Weung! I ain’t trying to hear any of your racist bullshit today Shawn waves off Mr. Weung.

Okay Shawn how can I help you?

Do you have those credit cards?

Yea how many do you want?

I’ll try one and see how it goes.

There’s no seeing all my cards are legit. Said Mr. Weung

Yea I know that, so what’s the limit? asks Shawn.

‘It’s starting at 2 grand and I want 20% down." Request Mr. Weung.

Don’t you think that’s a lil pricey?

Not at all can you use this at anyone on my stores or restaurants.

I’m not looking to buy food on a card I spent $200 bills on, I want tangible things or some assets with it, and I need more options where to shop not just your businesses.

Okay suit yourself says Mr. Weung sarcastically.

That doesn’t sound confident Mr. Weung, okay if I’m giving you two bills I want a runner. Do you have anyone?

Well I can send one of my employees, Suggest Mr.