The Kings Of Cool

54

Like he has the right to remain silent.

No shit. Ben doesn’t say anything except he wants his other right, the right to a lawyer.

Does Ben know a lawyer?

Are you fucking kidding? Ben sells the best dope in Orange County, ergo some of his best customers are lawyers.

(And doctors; as yet, no Indian chiefs.)

The fucked thing is that he doesn’t know any criminal lawyers — but he calls an insurance lawyer who calls a buddy of his who hustles over in the middle of the night.

But not before the cops file charges against Ben under California 11359-possession with intent to sell-and resisting arrest (a “148,” Ben learns), and throw in a 243(b) battery on a peace officer for good measure, and chuck him into central holding.

Forget the jail cliches.

No Mexican gang tries to turn him into a jerk-off sock. He doesn’t have to fight Bubba for his bologna sandwich. Closest thing Ben has to an encounter in his OC jail cell is with a Rasta dude who asks him what he got busted for.

“Possession of marijuana with intent to sell, resisting arrest, and assaulting a police officer,” Ben tells him.

“A 243(b), very cool,” Rasta dude says.

Get up, stand up, stand up for your rights.

Mostly Ben just lies there-aching and angry.

At Detective Sergeant William Boland of the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, Anti-Drug Task Force.

Who put a gun to his head and pulled a dry trigger.

Ben didn’t see his life flash in front of his eyes He saw his death flash in front of his eyes.