Russell Black

~Narrator~

"Hey," Marcus attended the call reluctantly and tried not to sound as annoyed as he felt.

"Hey, Mark. Brother, how are you doing?" Russell asked over the phone call that he had been eager to dial the moment he lost sight of Sofia in the crowd at the Two-Lover's point.

"Did you call at this time of the day to ask how I'm doing?" Marcus asked while looking around and hoping that he did not get caught using his phone at work.

"Oh no. No." Russell laughed in a pretended light-hearted way and resumed, "I am the Two-Lover's point with some friends. You know that major tourist attraction by the cliff. I thought we could meet up if you and Sofia are here."

"I'm at work and Sofia is at her University," Marcus told Russell. He was confused about what Russell was getting at.

"Oh, I'm sorry. From the distance, I could swear it was you and Sofia," Realization was evident on Russell's face that everything was not how it seemed. He was sure that he had seen Sofia there but he wasn't sure if the Latino guy was with her or not. "Anyway, brother, I'll my mom over to yours in a couple of days, yeah?"

"Yeah, sure." Marcus nodded absent-mindedly having no idea what the purpose of the call was. 

They hung up and Marcus noted the time on his watch. Russell's words had worried him a little. He had dropped his little sister at university himself. She wouldn't go anywhere from there, would she? Especially with a guy. No, Russell must be mistaken. But taking precautions, Marcus decided to go pick her up from university himself during his lunch break, instead of letting her come home via subway like she always did.

~

"How many times do I have to tell you? When Mr. Black returns I'll let him know that you called. Now, don't waste my time." 

Russell entered his home and heard his mother yell over the phone.

He walked over to her like a little boy and tugged at the satin scarf that she had wrapped around her head in a satirical bonnet. She hung up the phone, pulled her head away from her son, and walked away with attitude, "I don't have any money. First, you wander around all day with your rakish friends and then come home after spending all your allowance."

"Ma, men don't need allowance and I'm not asking for money. At least listen before you get offended." He walked after her like an irritable puppy.

As Mrs. Black fixed the perfect cushions on the perfect couch, Russell asked in a boyish whine, "Sofia's studies are almost over. When you go to her parents and ask for her hand for me?"

"I'll ask on at opportune time. Her family is still preparing for Mia's wedding." His mother replied irritated at his nagging.

"Ma, this is the opportune moment. Ask them to wed both their daughters at the same venue." Russell said conspiratorially.

"How the hell would they do that? They barely have any money. Have you forgotten that they are under debt with interest from your father?" She said and walked away.

He followed her and commented, "Ma, you've done a lot for Mr. Hayes because of this family friendship between his father and yours. But, what if when my time comes, he gives his daughter away for free?"

"Do you think anyone can scam me like that? Even if he is the son of a family friend, he will gift his younger daughter with everything and more than he is gifting his elder daughter. I will make sure of that." Then, she turned to advise her son, "Why don't you stop wasting your time with your waste-of-space friends and get a job? Show Mr. Hayes that you can be a worthy partner to his daughter?"

"You know I love you, Ma?" Russell said, feeling satisfied that he would get the girl and the money that she would bring.

"I know, now stop being cheesy and go find some job." She turned him around and left to call the family jeweler.

~

On the other side, Mr. Black sat in his office ready to sign another deal.

"You have read all the terms and conditions, yes? I won't tolerate lateness in returning the debt or any less than what is owed with interest within the due date."

"Yes, Sir. I know. I don't have a choice. If I don't take this loan, I won't have a house for my family. Can't let that happen." A helpless man answered. He knew going to a loanshark was a bad idea but he had no choice.

"Great, then, let's sign the deal and you can take the check." Mr. Black smiled, knowing the man was never going to be able to pay in time and would have to add interest. Another helpless soul trapped in a deal with him without reading the fine print.

~

Russell had chosen to go to a Gentleman's Club with his friends and was playing pool when he got a call from his father.

"Yes?" He asked.

"Russo, where in the hell are you? I sent to you collect the debt from Rudy's." His father said.

"I went to his hideout, he wasn't there. Don't worry, I'll go again tomorrow. I'll find him, even if I have to scour the depths of hell. He will pay his debt." Russell said and shot the 8-ball straight into the hole. Among his friends, some cheered and some hissed at losing a bet.

"Your father is the biggest loan shark in town. You know, I don't let any money get away. Even the family friend, Hayes, got his loan with interest. Now, you are going to get me my money back." His father warned.

"Why do you worry, Dad? I am right here. I'll get your money from that broke Rudy. How far can he run?" Russell resumed collecting the bet money from his friends after he hung up on his father's call, having satisfied him.

"Russo, bro, how about we go with you? Look for Rudy? Pocket some extra bucks from him?" One of his friends offered.

"You really thought I'd let you step in my dad's honest work like that, huh?" Russell replied and pulled the guy to land a friendly not-so-friendly punch in his stomach before placing new bets and starting a new game.