Macktown: Callin' Shots

By Colin Royce

Shots are called from the top, and from the top one mind rules the rackets of the sister cities, Macktown and Banglewood. The struggle intensifies in this sequel to the tri-drama Macktown series of players, gangsters, militants and politicians who seek control and position to make room for their game in the streets and in high society. Though unseen, but clearly heard, Humphrey Lawson maintains control of it all while eliminating those who he discovers want him dead or in jail.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Jun 5, 2014
• ISBN: 9781312252875

Book preview

Macktown: Callin' Shots

MACKTOWN 4

Callin’ Shots

By Colin Royce

Copyright 2014 by City Ministry

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This book was printed in the United States of America.

Foreword

Callin’ Shots is a continuation in the Macktown Novels series. The characters and situations are fictional and any character or situation relating to you or your business is strictly coincidental. Only new character descriptions are given and their backgrounds and the situations are not explained as to the current happenings. The author suggests you read the Macktown Novel series, books 1, 2 and 3 to get caught up. Please give your feedback at the end of the read. Visit the website at the address below on the feedback page provided. Thank you and enjoy the story.

www.macktown.afromerica.com/contact.html

PART ONE

Pip City

Prologue

Pip City involves the on-going happenings and conflicts of the east side crime organization, the Perry Project Pips and their infamous leader Humphrey Lawson. The community of Perryville and the struggles the residences face are also featured in this series as they fight against government corruption and gang violence. Lastly, the series branches out into the city government’s attempt at pushing their agenda on both, the community and the criminals of the east side.

Chapter 1

May, 1985.

Tensions were always high on the corner of Rosa Parks Drive and Freshwood Avenue. The B-Dudes never knew when the Pips were going to creep around the corner to throw the drop on them. They had two guys watching each corner just for that reason while four of them held down the corner and slipped crack packets into waiting cars. It was dark out. The light from Babies party store sign beamed down over the heads of the boys as they walked from the corner to the alley along the side of the building, back and forth. The territorial clashes on that end of Rosa Parks Drive had gotten intense. The B-Dudes held it down, the Pips wanted it back, and the 42nd Street Boys were trying to claim their share on the deal with Humphrey Lawson. But the B-Dudes were not letting it go that easy. The Rosa Park Apartments, the Park as they were called, were down the street and had become the stomping grounds for the B-Dudes. When at one time the apartments were family oriented and in good condition, in the past few years since crack hit the Drive, they had become just another low-end ghetto overrun with drugs and gang violence. The city had all but let the apartments slip from their grips and turned them over to the streets. Most of the B-Dudes grew up there and the surrounding area; the neighborhoods of Upper Rosa Parks Drive and Villy Boulevard. Everything on the east side of the Drive was B-Dudes hood and everything on the west side was the Pips hood. The B-Dudes could not push to the west so they pushed hard downward toward downtown and they were half way there. They were able to get that far after Silk Malone was killed and the Pips had to reorganize, but by the time Humphrey sent Jimmy Sneed that way to reclaim the hood, they had already taken most of the area.

The bell over the door of Babies chimed as Charlie walked out and toward the jeep. She and Dirty Paul were there to resupply Lowdown with another stash of crack and to collect the last week’s profits. She had a bag of forty-ounces in her grip as she stood by the passenger side waiting for Dirty to unlock the doors. Lowdown hung out in the apartment complexes’ old clubhouse. The property manager closed it down and opened a new one after half of it burned up when it was cocktailed by the Pips one night. Lowdown offered the manager a monthly deal to rent out the clubhouse for his own, gangland purposes, little to manager’s knowledge of course. As they rode off, Charlie noticed one of the B-Dudes spray-painting on the wall across the street. He crossed out the Pips name and wrote, BDs.

Yall callin’ yall self the BDs now? she said to Dirty. He looked and grinned a bit.

I don’t know what he doin. he responded. But he knew that some of the B-Dudes wanted to change their name to reflect their own crew instead of being a representation of the Yancy Dudes. They wanted to give the Yancys respect by leaving the D, but they did not want to be called ‘Dudes’ so they shortened the word Dudes to simply D. It ain’t no thang is it? he said and looked at Charlie still grinning. She looked ahead in thought for a moment. Dirty was the top dog of the B-Dudes and relocated to Macktown from Banglewood on request from Peewee. He had no problem doing so because it gave him the chance to get some get back at Humphrey Lawson. He felt that if Humphrey could build a large crew and run the city, so could he, and twice as fast because he had the money.

I guess not, as long as they represent, you know? she said. They turned into the Park and headed to the clubhouse. Dirty turned out the lights and parked. The inside of the clubhouse was only partly functional. The office area and the lobby were ok but the back breakroom area and maintenance closet were boarded up. The lobby was laid out like a living room with a couch, two chairs and a coffee table. A stereo played low from off the shelf and a sliding door that led out to a patio deck was open. On the deck were patio chairs and a table occupied by a few BDs drinking and talking with a few young girls. Lowdown was on the couch and two other young thugs were sitting in the chairs. Charlie walked in and sat the bag of forties on the coffee table. Dirty Paul stroked his long straight afro to the back and sat down next to Lowdown.

Lowdown was tall, about six-four and muscle bound. He was dark-skinned and had long eyebrows that connected over his thin eyes. He had a thin moustache over his thin, dark lips. He wore a flat top Kango over his short, nappy hair and was draped in thick gold chains. His finger glistened with the gold-diamond ring on his finger as he reached for a forty-ounce. Lowdown was conniving and sneaky, which is how he got his name. He did not talk much but smiled when he did and no one could ever tell if he was lying or not. He was from the Ferry Park area. Ferry Park was a suburb of Macktown that was on the verge of becoming ghettoized. Most of the young folks there were the children of divorce who turned to the streets after their parents would split. The family unit was becoming extinct during the mid eighties and many children were left on their own as latchkey kids, who would come home from school to empty houses. Lowdown’s parents divorced and afterward, he would get out of school and run the streets instead of going home. He started selling weed on the corners and in school and was soon suspended and dropped out. He started a small street gang in Ferry Park but they never amounted to anything except when the Yancy Dudes came through with cocaine. Lowdown was put down and began building his crew stronger.

One of the young thugs, Lowdown’s boy Cowboy, got up and Charlie sat down. Ay dog go get the shoebox out of the back seat. She said to Cowboy and then told Dirty to give him the keys to the jeep. Dirty tossed Cowboy the keys and Cowboy walked out. Cowboy was a tall, light-skin dude with a large, uncombed afro and a dark beard around his face. He grew up with Lowdown and ran with him from high school to now, selling crack. Charlie’s hair was puffed out to a nice afro and hoop earrings hung from the side. She wore a black track jacket and a gold chain around her neck. Lowdown stared at her. He was crazy about Charlie and thought she was a black queen goddess. She knew it but always ignored his advances. You got the paper? she asked Lowdown. He grinned mannishly.

Oh yeah. He said and got up to go get a small duffle bag from inside the fireplace. He tossed it to her. She caught it but looked at him as if to say, ‘do not throw nothing at me again.’ He sat down, getting the hint. Charlie opened the bag and flipped through the stacks of cash. She looked at Dirty and shook her head, no.

Is this 16th Street too? she asked looking at Lowdown. This cain’t be. I told yall to have both when I got here. Where’s 16th money at? she said and stared at Lowdown, waiting for his answer. He looked at her surprised.

You didn’t say that. You said you would get 16th Street. He said and stared back. Charlie shook her head annoyed and fired back.

I said I wanted both, the Park and 16th Street at once. Then she looked at Dirty. Dirty looked at them both then spoke.

I thought we was going over to 16th when we left here? he said, defending Lowdown. Charlie smacked her lips and looked at both of them like they were crazy.

Damn! she snapped. Cowboy came back in with the shoebox and sat it on the table. Charlie snatched it and stood up, tucking it under her arm. Then she reached down for the duffle bag and pushed it inside her track jacket. I’ll keep this until we get the rest from 16th Street. She said and headed toward the door to leave. Dirty looked at Lowdown and they both shook their heads. Dirty got up and left with Charlie. Lowdown looked at Cowboy.

She fine but I hate when she come pick up. She a bitch. He said and waved her off. Cowboy laughed.

Charlie and Dirty pulled up in a vacant parking lot across the street from Fingers Rib Shack on 16th Street. They got out and started across the street. Dirty watched Charlie’s behind in her track pants twist as she quick-stepped toward the front door. Charlie was short and round and all eyes were on her when there were a lot of guys around. The aroma of barbeque saturated the air and smoke billowed from the roof top of the building. The lights were bright up and down 16th Street and it was always busy with people; young thugs, packs of girls, and some people shopping at the grocery store next door. The BDs had claimed much of 16th Street right at the 42nd Street intersection not too far down. They were defending that area also from the 42nd Street Boys of Rolling Heights and from the small crew of the 16th Street Homeboys that wanted to reclaim the hood. It was an intense gang-war on that side of town too. But the BDs were getting stronger by the day and their membership was increasing. They pushed up 42nd Street toward the projects, invading Kanine’s hood and they pushed west toward West Hills, taking the hood street by street from the Homeboys. A young brother name Pop Martin ran the 16th Street crew of BDs. He was the younger brother of the late Pushy Martin, who was killed by Humphrey Lawson a few years earlier. Pop held that grudge inside and had plans to rise and make his presence known to the Pips in the near future. Aside from selling crack, Pop specialized in the west side’s pastime of dog fighting. He raised and sold Pit Bulls to those who kept the dog fighting rows going. Most of the members of the 16th Street BDs migrated over from Pushy’s old crew, some Homeboys who defected after the Yancys took control, and from the younger thugs growing up in that area. Though Pop and Lowdown held down each of the two BD crews in Macktown, Dirty Paul was the top dog. Yet, he answered to Charlie and Peewee while they held down the Yancy Dude crews in Banglewood.

Charlie walked in the rib shack with the shoebox under her arm and went around to the door leading to the back: Dirty followed. They entered the back room, which had two pool tables and a bar against the far wall. On the other wall was a long card table with about eight chairs around it. She walked over and dropped the box on the table. Pop placed his pool stick on the table and walked over. He opened the box and glanced then told one of his boys to go get the duffle bag from behind the bar. Pop was a short dude, about five-seven with a body-builders cut in his chest and shoulders. He looked just like his brother, Pushy, with the smashed bull dog face and a tight grin. He was hot tempered, fast talking, and never smiled or laughed; and he too, had a thing for Charlie. And if Charlie was not so hard core and thuggish, she could have a thing for him too. Pop was the only one Charlie showed any type of respect for in Macktown and she would keep her smart remarks to herself when she had to deal with him. Pop, Charlie thought, reminded her of Hank in many ways. The guy came over with the duffle bag and dumped the money out on the table. Charlie glanced at it and started stuffing it back into the bag.

You gonna count it this time? Pop asked and looked at her with a tight grin. She glanced back.

Naw, you good for it ain’t you? It just better be right. She said and stuffed the bag under her arm. You can take Lowdown his end when you get a chance. she said and pointed to the shoebox. She started to walk out and Pop blurted out.

It’s always right sistah he said and slid the box across the table to his boy. Take it to the kitchen and start cuttin’ Cap.

Charlie turned around looking for Dirty, waiting to leave. Dirty stretched across the table and spoke low into Pop’s ear. Cut it twice and roll it three times and get paid dog. He said and headed for the door. Pop nodded ok.

Charlie stopped in front and got in line to get something to eat. You wanna eat? she asked, looking at Dirty with a slight smile. He looked up at the menu.

Hell yeah. He said. They were behind two young girls in line. Dirty looked around the restaurant. A few people were sitting at the small dining tables against the wall. Two older guys were at one table and one of them was eyeing Charlie and whispering to the other guy. The other guy looked and his eyes got wide.

Hey dark chocolate. You wanna sweeten my mouth? he said and they chuckled aloud. Dirty caught the eye of one of them and shook his head no as a warning and widened his eyes. Charlie turned and looked at the guy with a look of disgust. She did not say anything; she just pulled her track jacket back showing the guys the handle of her nine millimeter. The guy looked at the gun then at her with a stupid grin on his face. No never mind sistah. He said and she turned back around and ordered. Dirty laughed to himself, showing his large, two front teeth.

Charlie and Dirty got their food and sat in the jeep and ate. The DJs voice blared over the speakers. Summer time is on its way people. Put your shorts on and get your swimsuits out, it’s time to hit the streets. The DJ said. He continued, Did yall hear about the new boxing club opening on the west side? Yep, Macktown getting in the boxing game yall so if you know somebody who can throw down, send them to Jabber’s Gym in West Hills and see if they got what it takes to stay in the ring with Macktown’s own champ, Crack’em Dave. He on the loose and ain’t nobody beat’em yet. If your pick can hang for three rounds with Crack’em, then he may have a chance to go pro, you know? he said and played a boxing bell sound in the background. Charlie looked at the radio and grinned. Then she looked at Dirty.

Fast Laster back, you hear about that? she said and bit into her ribs. Dirty took a moment to swallow.

Yep. He said and sipped his pop. Let’s go see Crack’em and see if he ready for Fast.

Charlie laughed. Ain’t nobody ready for Fast. She said and took another bite. The DJ continued:

…and the next fight night is this Saturday so come down and check it out. I’ll be there and we gonna be live on the air. He said and started playing ‘LL Cool J song, Rock the Bells.’ Dirty turned it up and Charlie started rocking to the beat.

Ok. We gonna be there. She said and wiped her mouth.

******************************

The street lights were still not working correctly in Perryville. They would come on at dusk and go out at about eleven and stay out until about four in the morning. The other sides of town had their street light service restored months ago and the residences of Perryville were getting impatient with the city. Bobby West, the minister at the Get Saved Church in Perryville, had been down to city hall twice to complain and he had submitted in writing the complaint also, but never heard back and nothing had been done so far. Police presence was also something the other communities were getting more of and Bobby included that in his complaints also, but to no avail. Crime in Perryville remained high because of crack heads breaking into houses and random gunfire at night and in certain areas of the neighborhood. Dutchison High was the worse it had ever been with high truancy rates, teenage pregnancy and gang fighting between the young Perry Pips and the BDs who went to Dutchison. Bobby tried gang mediation one Saturday between the high school leaders of the Pips and of the BDs and it seemed to work for a few weeks until one of the BDs were chased and beaten one day when leaving school. In between petitioning the city and dealing with the crime in the neighborhood, Bobby was also handling the group homes and the Healing Temple program the church had just recently started. His minister partner, Rico, had drifted off from the ministry end of the church, still holding his faith in God, but he felt he needed to do more hands-on in the community. So he began forming a plan to start a street recruiting campaign in search of sports and entertainment talent with the residents of Perryville. Bobby was cool with the idea but advised him to remain in the faith and trust God.

From Perry Projects up throughout the neighborhood to Villy Boulevard, the streets seemed to have become crowded with more action. East Lester Avenue became a strip for young people hanging out in cars and walking the Avenue, loitering in front of stores, at parks and in the vacant lots on the Avenue. The weekends were the worse. Cars would line the Avenue with loud music bumping and at every corner the occupants would stop and have conversations with groups of young folks on the street holding up traffic. Crack heads were plentiful up and down the Avenue and they were either hustling for money or causing trouble with some of the young Pips. A lot more girls were hanging out with the Pips also and were turning into street thuggets. Benny’s Burger Palace was always crowded now and new hangout joints opened, up and down the drive such as a record store, an ice cream shop, and a couple of new pool halls owned by young Pips. A strip joint was in planning but Rico was determined not to allow it to open. He knew it would bring more thugs, drugs and violence to the community. Throughout the week Dutchison High’s field was a meeting point for many young folks also. They would stay until eleven, sometimes twelve at night talking loud and playing music. A few times there were dog fights on the field and they were starting to be more often on the weekends. This was Pip hood so the majority of young thugs were Perry Pips from the projects or somewhere in Perryville. Every now and then, the BDs would ride through and a commotion would start. Sometimes arguments, sometimes fights, and a few times gun fire. The police response time was very late when they were called. Bobby and Rico saw this all and was determined to bring change.

To bring change through prayer when dealing with situations such as this, where entire communities are involved, the prayer warrior has to have an understanding of society as a whole. Prayer not only changes a person, individually, but God moves to change communities, cities, and countries also. But knowing what to pray for to bring that change takes spiritual knowledge of how to fight wickedness in high places. A warrior cannot be afraid to address the leader of that community in order to open the door to warfare. If the enemy does not know the warriors are there and that they have offered the challenge, he is going to continue to wreak havoc unsupervised. But once the warrior has made it known that evil actions will not be tolerated or are not according to God’s will for a decent society, the enemy will take heed; he will not stand down completely, but he will start to take heed. Many churches seek to change people, one person at a time or one family at a time and never seek to go any higher or farther to make change. Communities can be changed. Police departments can be dealt with if the captain knows there is a problem with his officers. Business leaders will look to change if their employees become unproductive and hostile, and business suffer, and other areas of authority such as teachers, lawyers, even judges will stop and consider their behavior toward the people. These authority figures are in all communities and they can be dealt with according to God’s will, not our will. So we must know what God wants from a community of people before we go to war. The Get Saved Church has fought against the evils in Perryville for years but this time the disorder and revelry had become stronger.

Bobby and Rico walked up to Valentine Park to watch the little league baseball team practice. They passed the basketball court where a group of young guys were shooting ball. Most of the guys played for the Perryville Players basketball team, others were young Pip thugs from the hood, and some just lived in the area. The baseball team practicing were the varsity team and was one of the top teams in the Promise Land little league standings. Two of the players had scholarships awaiting them when they graduated this year from high school so Bobby made it his business to watch over the guys and keep them out of trouble. They sat down on the bleachers and shouted strategies to the players. It was a warm day and dust from the field hovered above. A group of girls sat down a few rows in front of Bobby and Rico talking about classes, teachers and some of the boys on the field. A police siren yelped in the distance and then drove up near the basketball court. Two of the young guys took off running but the police did not pursue, they just got out and walked onto the court stopping the game. Bobby watched as the cops were talking to the boys and then started searching a couple of them. Some of the guys started backing away then the cops had three of them against the car with their hands on the hood. A moment later, they were pushing them into the back of the police car. Bobby shook his head and figured it had something to do with drugs. He and Rico headed toward the courts.

What’s up Pinch? Bobby yelled to one of the young Pips on the court. Pinch tossed the ball to another guy and ran to a stop at Bobby and rested his hands on his knees breathing hard. He was average height, brown-skinned with a small head and raised eyebrows. Pinch was one of the top dog Pips in the hood so Bobby figured he may know what happened.

Nothin’ Disciple Bobby, what’s up with you? he said and looked onto the court, still breathing hard.

Why the cops take them? Bobby asked. Pinch stood up and looked at Bobby.

Some bullshit. Oh, excuse me brother. He covered his mouth. Some stupid stuff man. He said correcting his profanity. Bobby grinned.

It cain’t be that stupid if the cops got’em. He said. Pinch caught his breath and looked at Bobby with a look of frustration.

Why you wanna know all this man? he said. Then he looked at Rico. Rico dropped his head.

Cause that was Lurch and he play for the basketball team that’s why. I need to know why the police locking up my players. Bobby said looking at Pinch. It made sense to Pinch so he told Bobby what he knew, which was not much.

I think it had something to do with some girl he got pregnant. He said and pointed toward a group of girls standing behind the fence. They looked over and rolled their eyes. Bobby looked over then back to Pinch.

Why they take the other two dudes. He asked. Pinch shrugged his shoulders and ran back onto the court when someone called his name. Bobby looked at Rico and they walked around the fence to the girls but the girls walked away. Bobby looked around for anyone else that maybe knew something but everyone went back to what they were doing like nothing had happened. He asked Rico if he knew where Lurch lived. Rico pointed down the street and said ‘Let’s go.’

*****************************

The Club Intro parking lot was full. The Pips were having a party for Jimmy Sneed and his girl Sweet for their recent engagement he announced last week. It was a south side crowd attending the party. They were the regular party clique who was in the social circle of the Pip underworld. Most were working people from the neighborhood who liked to party and get high. Others were members of the JCO who worked alongside Genie and Sweet negotiating business for the little league team on the south side. And others were small time hustlers and dealers working for the Pips one way or another. It was not a rowdy crowd; they were well tamed especially when in the presence of the Pips. They just like to party and have a good time and the Pips were good host. Butchy was holding things down now that Humphrey was in Florida. He had been there for about three months working on the Florida business, which he called it. Butchy did not know the extent of the business but he knew Humphrey was there to make his connection with the Columbian Gold weed dealer. He talked to Humphrey earlier and they had a package coming in that weekend that Butchy had to pick up at the Stockyards. It was the beginning of a new thing. The Pips were down to their last pound of Nico and was about to start selling some serious Sesamilia. Sneed suggested they have a going away Nico party and smoke the whole pound. Butchy laughed at first but thought about it a few days afterward and said it was a good idea. So the Nico party was scheduled for when Humphrey came back this summer.

Styles got on stage and cut the music. He proposed a toast to Sneed and Sweet saying how Sweet was the best thing that happened to Sneed; She talked some sense into his hard head. He said and everyone laughed and raised their glasses. The DJ started the music back playing, ‘It’s Like That by Run DMC.’ The crowd hit the dance floor and started partying. Butchy and Styles headed to the back office. They walked in and Domino was already there on the phone with his feet on the desk. Butchy walked over and playfully knocked them off. Let me call you back. Domino said and hung up. Yo Butchy I got three brand new car-phones for us dog. I also got a tip on this guy who work for Shaky’s Electronics who said he can get a box of’em from off the truck, yo. He said and raised his hand for a play from Butchy. They slapped palms.

Cool, when we get’em? Butchy asked and went to the bar.

We can get’em now dog. Wanna go?

Naw, not now. You go get’em. Butchy said and poured a drink.

Cool. Domino said and got up.

Who gettin’ one? Me, you and who else?

Domino thought for a minute and said, Jimmy man. He the man ain’t he?

Butchy laughed. Yep.

What about me? Styles asked with his arms stretched out. Domino turned on his way out the door.

I’m gonna hook you up when the other ones come in. You know it. He said and left closing the door. Styles walked over and sat down in front of the desk. Butchy sat behind it.

We gotta pick up this weekend at the Stockyards. That Sess coming in. Hump say we need to take the guy five hundred grand. I need you to get your crew together to have our backs, and me and you gonna go in, cool?

Styles nodded his head ok. His eyes rolled up from looking at the desk for a moment. I finally got another project unit. Stayin’ with Drake is crazy. He have people in and out all night and all they do is get high and play music. He said.

You still livin’ in the Bottom dog? Butchy said looking surprised. Man move out and get yo self a nice lil crib up this way like us. He said and pointed toward the window.

Hell naw, I’m staying in the projects man, I need to. Them fools need me over there man. Styles said and laughed. Butchy laughed too. Sneed walked in.

Yo fellas where yall at? We partying out there. He said and walked over to the bar, smiling big. Butchy stood up and then Styles.

We on our way out dog. He said and poured him another drink too. The boys put ice in their glasses and walked out into the party.

Butchy peered through the crowd and noticed James Cain, from 42nd Street leaning against the bar. He walked over and they slapped palms. Cain was there to talk to him about the situation on 42nd Street with the BDs. He said they were starting to push farther up 42nd Street and they just opened another barbershop. He told Butchy that the Pips needed to keep their deal with them and have their back against the Yancys. Butchy patted him on the back and told him they did have their backs. Then Butchy waved Styles over and asked him where Dexter was. He said he did not know but will get with him in the morning. Butchy told Cain to come back through tomorrow around noon and he would sit with Dexter and get things worked out. Cain was cool with that and left.

Chapter 2

After the meeting with Cain and Butchy, Dexter's chest was stuck out and he was fired up about going up against the BDs. Dexter Miles was