Black looked annoyed by the question.
"Everybody is gonna get theirs, nigga, trust me," Bobby said.
"I’ve known everybody in this room for a long time," Black continued. "I even like most of you. I don’t know if y’all like me or not, and to be honest, it really doesn’t matter. What does matter is that you trust me, and that I can trust you. That’s what makes us a family; trust, loyalty, and honor."
With that Bobby began walking around the room and continued to pass out envelopes. He stopped in front of me and Freeze and handed us our envelope. "You and Freeze go stand by Mike," Bobby whispered before moving on. We got up and walked over to where Black was standing. He motioned for us to sit down and he continued talking.
"In order for us to continue to earn a livin’, we have all chosen to live by certain rules. Rules that were put in place to insure that we can do that. Rules that each person in this room has sworn to me that they will uphold over everything else." Black started walking around the room. "Anybody who doesn’t follow these rules puts all of us in danger. I spent a lot of time thinking about this; tryin’ to give the betrayal of these rules a name. I even went to the library and did some research on the subject."
Even though everybody laughed, this really didn’t surprise anybody. Black going to the library, I mean. Although he basically stopped going to class when he was fifteen, Black read everything he could get his hands on.
"The word I came up with is treason. According to the American Heritage dictionary treason means, the betrayal of ones country, by aiding the enemy. It comes from the Latin word traditio, which means a handing over. But I prefer the Columbia Encyclopedia’s definition better. Treason is the legal term for various acts of disloyalty. English law originally distinguished high treason from petty treason. Petty treason was the murder of one’s lawful superior, or the murder of his master by an apprentice. High treason was a serious threat to the stability or continuity of the state. Shit like attempts to kill the king, or the queen, or to wage war against the kingdom. Especial
ly cruel methods were used in executing traitors.
"Now to avoid the abuses of the English law, treason was specifically defined in the U.S. Constitution. Article 3 of the Constitution says that treason shall consist only in waging war against the United States or in giving aid and comfort to its enemies. And that conviction may be had only on the testimony of two witnesses to the same overt act or on confession in open court.
"The most treasonous activity in American history was the planned surrender of the fort at West Point to the British. It was to be carried out by a general, who I’m sure all of you have heard of, named Benedict Arnold. His plan was discovered when a British soldier was captured with a document detailing the surrender. I bet most of y’all didn’t know that," Black smiled. "I know I didn’t."
He was right, ’cause I sure didn’t know that shit either.
"Nick, you and Freeze get a bottle and pour everybody a drink," Black said. Once the glasses were filled, Black raised his glass. "By the way, several men were convicted of treason in connection with the Whiskey Rebellion," Black laughed and downed his drink. "But they were pardoned by George Washington."
Everybody laughed with him.
Now Black was standing right in front of Banks, and Bobby was standing behind him. "I like the British laws on treason better than the American. So, I consider selling drugs to be a serious threat to the stability or continuity of this organization. All of a sudden, Bobby grabbed Banks and held his arms. Black hit him in the face, once, twice, three times, four times. "Gary Banks," Black said and hit him again. "You’re being charged —" Black hit him again. "With treason!" and he hit Banks again.
Bobby let Banks go and he fell to the floor. "Pick him up and tie him to a chair," Bobby commanded as Black walked away. Freeze and I followed Bobby’s order and put Banks in a chair.
"Wait a minute, Black. I swear to you, I quit dealin’, man," Banks said in protest, as we tied him up.
Black simply said, "Freeze." And Freeze went to work on Banks. Freeze had learned his craft directly from Black; and Freeze was brutal. Betray, — Mike Black, — shit, Freeze lost his mind beatin’ Banks.
Bobby stepped up to me and handed me an eyedropper. "What’s this?"
"Acid," Bobby said quietly.
The beatin’ went on for a good five minutes while everyone in the room looked on. Some people started to leave, but Black stopped them. He wanted to be sure that everyone there saw what was happening. Banks was gonna die that night and Black wanted to be sure all of them knew why. Then Black said, "Freeze." And with that Freeze stopped.
"I swear, man, I quit dealin’," said a now bloody Banks.
"I knew you were gonna say that," Black said. "And I figured that it wouldn’t be fair if I were judge, jury and executioner." Bobby cleared his throat. "Okay, Bobby thought it wouldn’t be fair. So, you are being judged by your peers. Once you’re found guilty, Freeze and Nick will execute you."
Bobby walked over and pulled up a chair next to Banks. "What you have here is an opportunity to admit what you did and accept the consequences."
"What’s the difference; y’all gonna kill me anyway!" Banks shouted.
"No. If Black can’t prove that you’re sellin’ drugs, you can walk out of here with my humble apology," Bobby explained.
"No," Black said. "The difference is that I’m givin’ you a chance to man up and admit that you betrayed everybody in this room. Does that sound fair to you?" Black asked sarcastically.
Banks didn’t answer.
"Nick."
I stepped up to Banks and tore the shelves off his shirt. I held the eyedropper over his arm. I squeezed the dropper once and one drop hit his arm.
Banks screamed in pain.