Savages

187

“What can I do for you boys?” Jesus asks.

Jesus is the jefe of the 94s, got them a little plaza in DP, looking to move into the big Mexican hood in the SJC.

But the SJC is Treinte country, so Jesus looks elsewhere for support. Has made him the big hookup with a rep of El Azul himself, because everyone knows that he’s going to come out on top, and then Jesus looks to move up with the winner. Perform for El Azul, and when he takes over, he’ll give SJC to the 94.

Sal tries to play it strong. “It’s what we can do for each other.”

Jesus laughs. “Bueno, m’ijo, what can we do for each other?”

Sal turns and waves to Jumpy, who pulls the van up.

“I don’t do cars,” Jesus says.

Not worth the risk, not worth the aggra. You steal a car, you drive all the way down to Mexico, and then they rob you on the price.

“Look inside.”

Sal opens the passenger door and beckons.

“What you niños got in there,” Jesus smirks. “TV sets?”

Nooooo, not TV sets.

Assets.

Jesus whistles. “Where did you get this?”

Sal is pleased with the reaction. Not easy to impress Jesus. “Let’s just say we got it,” he says, pointing his first and index fingers like a pistola.

“I hope you dumped the hardware,” Jesus says.

Which is very good, because now they’re talking between men.

“Can you help us sell it?” Jumpy asks.

“For a taste,” Sal quickly adds.

Sure, Jesus answers. He can do that.

There has to be a good 200K in that van. Kick some of that up to El Azul and he gets his attention. He turns to one of his boys and says, “Get my cousins here some beers.”

Sal is happy.

Stands and drinks beer in the VIP Room.