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Post by Skrabz on May 10, 2018 4:24:34 GMT -6
Coming to America
Part 1: The ting with potential.
Location: Skrabals flat, Stratford, London, England.
Date: 10/5/2018
Time: 10.40am
Skrabal Stanzas groans as he stirs in his bed after another night of heavy drinking. Reaching out to his bed side table in search of his phone he accidentally knocks over a partially filled bottle of Stella Artois. The glass bottle clinks against a bottle of aftershave as it tumbles over, the piss coloured liquid spills onto the floor and quickly soaks in to the cheap carpet. "Allow it, fam" mumbles Stanzas as he picks up his phone.
He squints as the light from the screen stings his bloodshot eyes. Fumbling to turn down the brightness he accidentally opens his gallery and images of the previous nights debauchery appear on his screen. He turns the brightness down and has a quick look through the photos, smiling as vague memories of the night before stir in his mind.
Rising from his pit he picks up his gown from the floor and puts it it on. Turning to exit his bedroom he notices her for the first time lying in his bed fast asleep. He walks around to the side of the bed, picking her clothes up from the floor as he moves, and shakes her by the shoulder, disturbing her slumber. "What you waking me up for though?" she demands to be told. "Get the fuck out, fam" comes the cold response, as he throws her clothes on top of her and promptly walks out the room.
In the kitchen he flicks the kettle on and throws a tea bag in to a mug. Scrolling through his phone while waiting for the kettle he checks his notifications and one in particular stands out.
The phones beeps its low battery warning and Skrabal paces back to his bedroom to retrieve his charger. Walking through the door he sees she has gone back to sleep so he gives her a kick, not hard enough to hurt her but she definitely feels it and wakes up, as indicated by her reaction. "WHAT THE FUCK IS IT, MAN? YOU DONE KNOW I'M TRYING TO SLEEP HERE, INNIT!" she exclaims. Raising his eyebrows and looking down on her Stanzas just says "You got your own bed though, innit. You needs'ta go sleep there now". He pulls her up so she is sitting on the edge of the bed "Now get dressed and get out, fam"
He walks back to the kitchen and finishes making his mug of tea. Once made, he takes it with him on the short walk to his living room and places it on his old, battered coffee table. Opening up the table drawer he removes a small Kilner jar, a pack of rolling papers and metal grinder. He places it all on the table and then picks up his phone, a few swipes and taps later and the ring ring of a phone call can be heard through the loud speaker. He connects the charger and places the phone on the coffee table. It doesn't take long for the call to be answered.
Not Skrabz - "Wha'sappening bruder?"
Skrabz - "Wagwarn, fam? You good?"
Not Skrabz - "Blessed, fam, blessed."
Skrabz - "Seen, seen."
Not Skrabz - "What's good, fam?"
Skrabz - "Man's got some news fam. it's not a ting but it could be, ya get me?"
Not Skrabz - "What you mean it's not a ting, fam?
Skrabz - "It's not a ting yet."
Not Skrabz - "How is manor man gonna phone me up about a ting that's not a ting, blad? How can it be a ting and not a ting at the same time, fam?"
Skrabz - "You dizzy, blad? Man said it's not a ting yet but it could be fam, there's potential in the ting, ya-nah?"
Not Skrabz - "Potential in the ting he says, potential in the ting. Tell me about this ting, blad."
The living room door flies open and she walks in wearing one of Skrabal's T-Shirts. As annoyed as he is by her refusal to leave, he can't help but notice how damn sexy she looks, even right now after just getting out of bed. "You didn't even make me a fucking cup of tea, you mug" she says to him. Ignoring her completely Skrabal returns to his phone call.
Skrabz - "Is this chick for real, fam?"
Not Skrabz - "What chick blad, who you got there?"
Skrabz - "I don't even know fam, she wont leave though, refuses even."
Not Skrabz "Allow it, fam. What chick anyway? Who you got there, bredrin?"
Skrabz - "I dunno, fam. Lacy? Stacy?"
"My name's Katy, you prick!" She exclaims angrily before storming out of the room.
Skrabz - "It's Katy, blad"
Not Skrabz - "Katy? Blad are you for real? Katy with the ting?
Skrabz - "What ting?"
Not Skrabz - "The ting, fam. Katy with the tattoo."
Skrabz - "What tattoo, fam?"
Not Skrabz - "You got her there overnight and you dont know about the tattoo, fam? You slipping, blad."
Skrabz - " Allow it fam. Listen man's gonna go."
Not Skrabz - "You aint even told man about your ting."
Skrabz - "Man'll tell you later. I'm a roll through this evening."
Not Skrabz - "You done got man's curiosity piqued, fam, and you gonna leave man hanging till laters?"
Skrabz - "Allow it, fam. Man's got business to attend to."
Not Skrabz - "Yeah... man's a business man. I'm a let you let handle your business then, fam. Man'll catch you later. Toll."
Skrabz - "Safe, fam. Toll."
The call ends and Skrabal gathers the small Kilner jar, the pack of papers and the grinder and returns them to the drawer. He takes a swig of his tea then places his freshly rolled joint in his mouth, lighting it as he stands up and walks out of the room. He looks in to his bedroom then continues on to the kitchen where he finds Katy making herself a cup of tea and still dressed in just one of his T-Shirts. "Nah, there aint no way you're still here fam" he says jokingly . "Allow me this cup of tea, yeah? and gimme two's on that joint" she tells him. "Show me the ting" he demands. "What thing?" she questions. "The ting, fam. Show me the tattoo". "Oh.. you can't see that from all the way over there" she says.
He walks over and stands right in front of her. She looks up at him and pulls the T-Shirt up and off over her head then turns around, leaning against the kitchen counter, arching her back and pushing her butt out. "Lean in close" she whispers. Skrabal takes a long, deep hit on his joint and leans in. Right there, in the middle of her back, in small, barely visible tattooed writing is the phrase "If you can read this you're probably fucking me". He laughs and exhales smoke at the same time. He caresses her butt and lets his gown drop the floor. She supports her weight with her arms and lets out a moan as he picks her up by her hips and enters her from behind.
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Post by Skrabz on May 10, 2018 6:50:03 GMT -6
Coming to America
Part 2: It's gonna be OK, Sis.
Location: Stratford, London, England.
Date: 10/5/2018
Time: 12.10PM
Skrabal locks the door to his third floor flat and descends down the stairs of the building. Walking outside into the mild London weather he has a bounce in his step and a joint in his mouth. He takes out his phone and composes a message.
He hits send and slides his phone back into his pocket, removing his wallet at the same time. A few seconds later he turns to enter an off license and walks straight to the fridge, he picks up a bottle of Budweiser, pays for it and leaves the shop.
Outside, he puts his wallet away and pulls out a red Clipper lighter, he sparks it to ignite his joint and takes a deep puff. He puts the lighter away and twists the top off his beer, immediately taking a swig. A rather short, athletic, young twenty something year old girl wearing yoga pants walks past him and catches his eye. She smiles at him and he nods his head in her direction but continues on his way.
He quickly finishes his beer and throws the bottle in the bin when he hears someone call him. He looks around and on the other side of the road sees his neighbor and friend Chris "The Bruiser". Chris crosses the road and immediately says "All right, geezer? Be a pal and gimme twos on that joint wontcha? ". Skrabal kisses his teeth but takes a final puff and hands it over. After exchanging a few words, and due to the bottle of Bud giving him "the taste", Skrabal suggests they go for a cheeky pint to catch up "real quick" and the pair walk off in to a local pub.
Location: Little Sisters flat, Plaistow, London, England.
Date: 10/5/2018
Time: 4.25PM
"Where the fuck have you been? You said twenty minutes." Say's Little Sis, slamming the door to her flat shut after letting her big brother in.
"I went for a pint" replies Skrabal.
"And that took four fucking hours, did it?"
"I was with Chris The Bruiser, man's a nightmare on the drink. Ya can't shut man up, he's been talking man's ears off."
"Chris The Bruiser? Chris The fucking Bruiser?... Says Little Sis, exasperated.
"You need to sort your fucking life out, mate." she continues. "You come round here four hours late, pissed up, stinking of weed, talking about Chris The Bruiser... I dont know why you associate with men like that."
"Man like what?" Skrabal interjects.
"Men called The Bruiser"
"What? Nah, fam. Allow it. It's just a name, fam. We call him that because he bruise easy, man's a pussy." Skrabz says laughing.
"You're still associated with a gang, Skrabz"
"Nah it's not that, fam. It's just a name. Lil Pump claim Gucci but he aint make the clothes. Toll about they music, Sis. That's it."
"And what about you? What are you about?" She asks condescendingly, talking down to her big brother.
"That's what we need to speak on. See I got this ting, well it's not a ting but there's potential for it to be a ting. But the ting with the ting is..."
"For fucks sake, will you get to the point?"
"It's in America"
"America?" She questions instantly in a shocked tone.
"Man said America"
"What's the thing?"
"You asked man what he's about and you know me, Sis, man's about a few things. I'm Toll so I'm about that music, too, but you know a few of us got this wrestling ting going on and that's where America come in. It's just a small ting, some new ting just started up but I aint getting nowhere here with it so I'm a give it a go while I got this opportunity."
"What about your music?"
"Man said he's about that. Look, this is what I wanna do, Sis. I gotta do this."
"So when are you leaving?"
"You done know man aint leaving. Is that why you so upset? Man'll always come back, watch."
"No, you were late, dick head". She reminds him, raising her eyebrows and continuing "But it's just what with Mum and since Dad died and Sean cut contact I..."
"It's gonna be all right, Sis. Trust. I'll come back as often as I can and if you need anything when I'm gone you know Toll is there, right? They family, they got you. I got you."
He wraps his arms around her and pulls her close.
"Look, Sis... Man's gotta shoot off but I'm still about for a while yet. I'm a go see Ma next week and I'll catch you one time before I fly out, okay?"
"Okay, take care"
"I'm sorry I was late, Sis" he says as he kisses her on the forehead before turning and leaving her flat.
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Post by Skrabz on May 10, 2018 10:39:37 GMT -6
Coming to America
Part 3: Your dog's good people.
Location: Stratford, London, England.
Date: 10/5/2018
Time: 6.20pm
Beer in one hand, joint in the other, Skrabal walks casually down a London road. He feels his phone vibrate in his pocket and after clasping his joint between his lips he takes his phone out with his right hand then taps and scrolls at his phone to get to the message.
Tapping at the screen he replies.
He puts his phone back in his pocket and relights his joint just as he turns in to a park. He knows this park well, having spent a lot of time there as a child when staying at his Dads. He sits on a bench to finish he beer, his joint, and to reminisce. It's only moments later that his nostalgic day dreaming is cut short when he feels a cold wetness on his exposed leg, just below the knee height hem of his shorts.
He looks down to see a Golden Retriever looking back up at him and wagging it's tail. "Good boy" he says to the dog as he strokes its head. The dogs owner, a flustered and out of breath, slim, mid forties looking woman dressed in casual business attire approaches. "I'm sorry" she explains "He just ran away and wouldn't come back, he's usually so good and I'm not exactly dressed for chasing him". "It's all good" says Skrabal "Don't worry about your dog" he says as he reaches out and lightly touches her arm "Your dog's good people, could probably just smell my dog on me innit".
"Maybe, I suppose... what dog do you have?" she enquirers. "He's a... mixed breed. But solid, still". "They say cross breeds have the least problems" she says "That's facts, he never caused me any" replies Skrabz with a smile as he reaches out and touches her hip briefly. "Tell you what, gimme your number innit and we can walk our dogs together" Skrabz tells her. She thinks for a second and despite initial reservations decides to give him her number. They exchange a few more words then part ways. "I'll see you soon" she says, but Skrabal doesn't respond.
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Post by Skrabz on May 10, 2018 15:29:05 GMT -6
Coming to America
Part 4: Fuck Jamal
Location: Ty's flat, Mile End, London, England.
Date: 10/5/2018
Time: 9:25pm
The thumping bass vibrates through the cold concrete floor of the apartment building hallway where Skrabal waits for someone to open Ty's front door. When the door finally opens the music floods out into the hallway, eviscerating the silence, and the strong scent of cannabis fills the air. Ty stands in the door frame, five foot tall, obese and albino, he really is a sight to see. He extends a fist, "Wagwarn, blad" he welcomes Skrabs with a huge smile. "Wagwarn, fam" replies Skrabs as he bumps his fist against Ty's.
Ty closes the door and they enter the living room.
As they do Nash leans down and reduces the volume of the music and everyone gets up to greet Skrabs with a fist bump or hug. As Nash greets Skrabz he says
"Oi Skrabz, I just spoke with my man on the phone and he told me that he seen you in the park... chirpsin some pensioner... with a dog"
"Who the fuck's your man?" Asks Skrabz
"Jamal"
"Jamal?"
"Jamal with the ting" says Nash.
"What ting fam?" asks Skrabz.
"What do you mean what ting fam? When man says Jamal with the ting man should know who man means" says Nash laughing and looking around for someone to agree.
"What the fuck? Jamal who, blad? What fucking ting?"
"The fucking lisp, fam. Jamal with the lisp"
"What, he said that? Jamal with the lisp? How the fuck does man with a lisp say pensioner, blad? Are ya for real?" are the questions Skrabz asks through laughter
"Yeah he said that, fam. Told it to me straight." confirms Nash laughing
.
"Is it true fam?" Asks Ty through laughter.
"Nah, it aint true, fam"
"But Jamal said you were charming the dog even, stroking it's head all good boy'd up and shit, touching her arm and shit.... He even said he heard you say you were gonna go walk your dog with her, fam!" asserts Nash in an animated fashion,wide eyed and laughing.
"Look, fuck Jamal, man. Man done said it aint true, she aint no pensioner"
"How old is she then?" asks Chantele, walking in from the kitchen.laughing having been listening to the exchange.
"I dont know, man. About thirty"
"The fuck does man mean, about thirty?" says Nash.
"Late thirties, summin like that. Look fam, allow it now man" pleads Skrabs laughing.
"How late we talking fam" Ty manages to splutter out through his laughter.
"What you mean how late we talking, fam?" asks Skrabz.
"He means how late in her thirties" says Chantele also laughing.
"I dunno... forty... five... ish" says Skrabal.
"Jesus Christ, fam. That is laaaaate thirties, bruv!" says Nash.
"I think her watch must have stopped, blad. Ya get me?" says Ty causing everyone to laugh even harder than they already were.
"Fuck Jamal, man" says Skrabal as he walks past Chantele on his way to the kitchen for a beer.
"So what you gonna do then?" asks Chantele, following him in to the kitchen.
"About what?"
"You gonna walk your dog with her?" she asks.
"I aint even got a fucking dog"
"You could borrow one" says Ty, walking in to the Kitchen.
"The fuck does man mean? Borrow a dog? Man can't borrow a dog!"
"My Nan's got a dog you can borrow" says Scouse Mick, sitting at the kitchen table dribbling and staring off in to space.
"What kind of... no fuck it." says Skrabz, twisting the top off his beer.
"Dont listen to him anyway, my mans been eating vallies like fucking smarties, fam. Ya get me? His nan prolly aint even have a dog. I mean shit fam look at the state of him, my man might not even have a nan and he wouldn't know" says Nash laughing at Scouse Mick.
"Allow this nonsense, fam. Man's not borrowing a dog to fuck some fifty year old. Man's got options. Man's got standards, fam. Trust!" says Skrabal.
"Don't talk to me about standards fam, not when I done know you woke up next to Katy with the ting this morning" says Ty.
"Hold on a minute, fam" states Nash loudly "The fuck do you mean some fifty year old? She was forty five a minute ago"
"No way, fam. Her watch must be going backwards now, bredrin. Ya see me? says Ty, sending everyone into laughter again.
"Fuck Jamal, man" says Skrabz laughing as he finally takes a swig of his beer.
"Anyway enough bullshit. Now tell me about your ting, fam" says Ty to Skrabz.
"It's just a lil ting, on a wrestling tip. In America" says Skrabal.
"Get the fuck out, fam! For real?" shouts Nash.
"Now fucking way, my bredrin! Are you serious, fam?" asks Ty.
"America?" asks Chantele.
"Man said America" replies Skrabz.
"Toll Gang going States side, fam! Ya get me, bredrin?" shouts Nash.
"Sates side! Toll Gang going international, brudda!" replies Ty
"USA! USA! USA!" Scouse Mick starts mumbling, spaced out resting his head on the kitchen table.
"Yeah so that's the ting, now let's enjoy the night. Go get that peng cheese you were gassing up, fam. Lets get lit." says Skrabz.
They walk back in to the living room, two of them helping Scouse Mick who's a little unsteady on his feet. Nash retrieves the vacuum sealed ounce of weed from his backpack, they turn the music up slightly and after making sure Mick is comfortable they all take a seat wherever they can.
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Post by Skrabz on May 11, 2018 3:01:05 GMT -6
Coming to America
Part 5: Insufficient funds.
Location: Ty's flat, Mile End, London, England.
Date: 11/5/2018
Time: 9.05am
Skrabal awakens with a jolt, his jerking body movement causing him to spill beer from the bottle he passed out holding. He blinks his eyes open and looks around. He finds himself in Ty's living room, contorted awkwardly on the sofa in a half sitting half lying position. He pulls himself up and scoots forward to the edge of the sofa placing his bottle of beer on the table. He spots some small fragments of cocaine on the table top left over from the night before. He collects them on his finger tip, opens his mouth and rubs the powder into his gums.
Looking around the room he sees Nash sleeping on the floor and Scouse Mick passed out on the armchair. He rubs his eyes and swallows with a dryness stabbing at his throat. Seeking to quench his first he reaches for the bottle of beer he placed down just seconds ago, bringing it to his mouth he opens his throat and downs what's left of the beverage. He puts the bottle back on the table and stands up stretching then walks to the bathroom for a piss, yawning and scratching his balls a she steps over Nash.
Two minutes later he emerges from the bathroom and re-enters the living room. He picks up his backpack on his way to the sofa and begins rummaging through it. He sits back down on the sofa and pulls out a box of 30mg codeine phosphate tablets from his bag. He pushes five of the small round white pills from their blister pack home, tilts his head back and tips them into his mouth. He chews them up then reaches for another of the open beer bottles remaining from last night, takes a swig and washes the bitter tasting Opioids down.
Sitting groggily on the sofa with the taste of codeine and stale, warm Corolla fresh in his mouth he considers leaving but decides to roll himself a joint for the journey home first. A few minutes later he enters the kitchen with a short but fat, cone shaped, unlit joint hanging from his lips. He removes a bottle of cold Budweiser from the fridge and twists off the top, he downs half of the beer then puts the bottle on the kitchen counter. Leaving what's left of the ice cold drink behind he walks back out of the kitchen, back through the living room and out in to the hall way.
As he approaches the front door he hears Ty's bedroom door open behind him.
"You getting off?" asks Chantele." exiting Ty's bedroom.
"Yeah, mans trying to be quiet, on a stealth tip. I didn't mean to wake you."
"You didn't, Ty and I have been awake for a while."
"Oh... seen, seen." says Skrabz smirking.
Chantele tuts, "We'll see you again before you jet off though, right?" she asks.
"Yeah, standard. Man a roll by after the weekend. Stay blessed, fam."
"See you later, Skrabz"
He turns back to the front door, opens it then exits Ty's ground floor flat, pulling the door closed behind him. He turns right and immediately exits the building on to the street. He lights his joint and slowly walks down the road with the effects of his codeine and alcohol breakfast starting to be felt. After a few minutes of walking he approaches a cash machine and slides in his card. He enters his pin number and chooses the option to withdraw ten pounds. His card slides out and he grabs it, after a few seconds a message is displayed on the screen.
"Insufficient funds".
"FUCK" shouts Skrabz slamming his fist on to the machine's keypad, alarming a few passers by.
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Post by Skrabz on May 11, 2018 6:20:13 GMT -6
Coming to America
Part 6: Are you busy?
Location: Skrabal's flat, Stratford, London, England.
Date: 11/52018
Time: 5.22pm
Skrabal is sitting on his sofa at home. He had been weighing up the pros and cons of a decision he had to make for a couple of hours, just sat there, deep in thought. The multiple roach ends littering the ashtray a testament to just how deep he had been thinking.
Still not totally sure he was doing the right thing but seeing no other option he pulls out his phone but just as he is about to make a call a message comes through.
He taps out a reply
Almost instantly she responds with
Skrabal thinks for a second then replies
She replies
Skrabal smiles and puts his phone away. Then he gets up and goes for a shower.
Location: Stratford, London, England.
Date: 11/5/2018
Time: 6.45PM
Showered and feeling fresh despite his broke status Skrabal grabs his last bottle of beer from the fridge and twists the top off as he leaves his his flat. He swigs it as he makes the short walk to the park. His phone vibrates in his pocket.
She smiles when she sees him approach and he nods. She slips her arm in his and leads him off on the walk back to her house. After a 15 minutes walk they arrive a large detached house with two luxury cars on the drive each less than a year old. As the enter the house the lady hangs her bag on hook and it opens slightly allowing Skrabal to catch a glimpse of her purse and the wad of money it contains. She leads him into the lounge and excuses herself to go get the wine.
Ten minutes later she returns wearing just a dressing gown and carrying a tray with two bottles of wine and two glasess. She finds Skrabal just putting a freshly rolled joint in his mouth.
"Is that... drugs" she asks.
"Nah" he replies.
"You can't smoke that in here" she tells him.
"Seen. Man a go then" he says, standing up to leave.
"No, wait! It's fine... I'll just open the windows" she says, urging him to say.
He sits back down and she places the tray on the book table then goes to open the windows. Skrabal picks up a bottle of wine, pulls out the cork with his teeth and begins drinking it straight from the bottle.
"Err... help yourself" she says, walking towards him and sitting down on the sofa.
She sits down next to him and opens the other bottle of wine then pours her self a big glass that she guzzles in seconds before pouring another one and doing the same. She places her hand on Skrabal's leg then takes a breath before turning around to face him. He looks at her and places his hand on the side of her face, she leans in to kiss him but he just guides her head down to his lap and leans back as she undoes his jeans and takes him in her mouth.
Looking around the room, puffing on his joint, drinking wine from a bottle and just enjoying the moment he starts to tot up the value of the furniture that surrounds him, he guesses the stuff in this room alone must be worth over ten grand and he begins to wonder why this well off, once upon a time trophy wife is gobbling so keenly on his penniless cock.
Before he has too much time to think she stops and stands up, leading him upstairs. Once upstairs things change, she is no longer the submissive woman she was just moments prior. Now everything has to be on her terms. He has to fuck her in a certain place in the room, in a certain position, with a certain rhythm, and he soon gets bored with her refusing every time he tries to switch things up.
He starts looking around the room and spots a designer watch on the shelf, must be worth two grand of anyone's money, he thinks. He hears a noise but thinks nothing of it until her hears it again, then he starts listening for it and he realizes it keeps happening. He starts scanning the room looking for it's source. His pace slows and she looks around to find out why.
"What's wrong" she asks.
"Shut up, fam" he snaps back.
"What are you looking for?"
"Man said shut up"
He hears the noise again and this time is able to determine where it's coming from. He moves away from her and pulls his boxer shorts on before approaching the wardrobe. He opens the door and inside is a short, bald, sweaty, red faced, naked overweight man.
"WHAT THE FUCK IS IT, FAM? Shouts Skrabal.
The man says nothing, he just looks at Skrabal, then at his wife and then back at Skrabal.
"WHAT THE FUCK?" shouts Skrabal again growing angrier.
The woman tries to calm Skrabal down but as the man stands up Skrabz reacts on instinct and throws a devastating straight right hand at his jaw, he crumples in a heap in the wardrobe. The woman screams and runs over to him. Skrabal quickly gets dressed then leaves the room and heads down stairs, he gets half way down then turns on the spot and goes back up.
He enters the bedroom and rushes straight over to the man unleashing a series of kicks and stomps on his head and limp body shouting "FUCK YOU" every time his foot makes contact. The woman is hysterical, screaming and begging Skrabal to stop.
Skrabz walks away, he snatches the designer watch off the shelf and puts it in his pocket. He runs down the stairs heads out the front door of the house stopping just long enough to collect his few belongings and remove the wad of notes from the woman's purse on his way. He briskly walks down the garden path and then starts sprinting away from the house when he reaches the road.
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Post by Skrabz on May 12, 2018 14:17:36 GMT -6
Coming to America
Part 7: Writers block.
Location: Margate, Kent, England.
Date: 12/5/2018
Time: 5.20am
Skrabal sits at the dining table in his Mum's house. He has a note pad in front of him and several screwed up pieces of paper scatter the table as he furiously scratches at the pad with a pen.
The heretic is back
penning venom terrorism rap
Devilish, dressed in red and black
ready to attack
Spitting flames skin disintegrates
and skeletons get smashed
He stops writing and looks at the page. He reads what he has written over and over again. He fumbles with the pen. In an act of frustration he tears the page out and throws it on the table. Immediately he starts scrawling at the next page.
Dramatic assassin
heart black as a canyon
This aint rapping it's magic
the rapture captured in pattern
Writers block strikes again and this time he throws his pen down on the table and slams his notebook shut. He leaves the table and walking to the lounge, slumps on a sofa where he soon falls to sleep.
Location: Margate, Kent, England.
Date: 12/5/2018
Time: 10.40am
The ringing of his phone wakes Skrabal up. He looks at the phone and rejects the call upon seeing the screen read "Katy". He stands up and stretches. After making a mug of tea and rolling a joint he steps outside. A few minutes later he's back inside and while walking through the dining room he sees the designer watch he stole last night lying on the table next to his note pad and screwed up balls of paper. Looking through his back pack he counts out how much of the stolen money is left. Just as he's putting the money back in his wallet his phone rings, this time, upon seeing the screen read Ty, he answers.
Skrabz - "Morning, fam."
Ty - "Blessing my brudder. Where you at? Mans got the day off."
Skrabz - "Seaside, bruv. Stayed at the Ma's house last night."
Ty - "Shit... Fam is everything all right with your marge?"
Skrabz - "Nah fam, never will be, but that's not why I'm here. Manor man had to escape the manor for a few, innit."
Ty - "You sure you all right, fam?"
Skrabz - "I'm good, just reflecting on some tings right now. I'm a be back in the ends Monday night and I'm a need your help with summin. I'm a be trying to get a few more of the Toll lot down too, just need to make some calls."
Ty - "That's Monday, yeah?"
Skrabz - "Yeah, you about?"
Ty - "Man's always about, but I wont see you till Tuesday at the earliest, fam. I know you."
Skrabz - "Nah, fam. Monday. Swear down."
Ty - "Whatever you say, fam. I see you whenever you back, and I'm a make some calls for you too. Toll."
Skrabz - "Safe, fam. Toll"
Skrabz ends the call and has a quick shower. Once washed and dressed he throws the designer watch in his bag and heads out to sell it with a freshly rolled joint in his mouth.
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Post by Skrabz on May 12, 2018 16:26:09 GMT -6
Coming to America
Part 8: The metamorph from Heaven fallen.
Location: Skrabal's Mum's house, Margate, Kent.
Date: 12/5/2018
Time: 11:37pm
Skrabal had had a rough idea how much the watch was worth before he even stole it and after a quick look online he knew exactly how much it was worth, the problem he had, is that what it was worth and what he could sell it for were two different things all together. Every price he saw online was for a legitimately procured watch and the one he had was not procured in legitimate fashion.
He eventually managed to arrange a sale to a friend of a friend of a friend, now he didn't know the first friend all that well but even if he had, by the time you are two friends removed you may as well be dealing with a stranger and in reality he was.
The deal went well enough though and Skrabal returned to his Mum's house with an extra six hundred and fifty pounds in cash as well as a fresh ounce of weed and twenty four bottles of Budweiser. He had been in for a few hours now and was ten bottles and as many joints deep. He sat at the table, his eyes red and blurry, nodding his head to a looping beat and scribbling in his book.
I'm the metamorph from heaven fallen
a rebel set for war who lead a hellish horde of headless horsemen
With metaphors that settle scores like The Seven Swordsmen
I'll leave ya severed corpse dissected more than Dexter Morgan
Step with caution, my bars'll target your defense
I battle rappers for their cash and after laugh at their expense
Bars are stickered with a warning coz they cause offense
ya only killing it if boredom was the cause of death
He stops writing but continues nodding his head to the beat as he twirls the pen between his fingers. His eyes widen slightly and he continues tracing his pen across the page.
I do what Judas did glue dudes to a crucifix
so gruesome I could tutor the Tudors with execution tips
Tunes are big pursue a future in the music biz
producing huger hits than pugilists when they use their fists
Break ya skull and make the bones in your skeleton rupture
take control and drain ya soul of the strength it can muster
Genetically crush ya molecular structure
change ya DNA and make your adrenaline rush ya
He throws his pen down on the pad and pulls close everything he needs to roll his next joint. His phone vibrates and beeps its message received tone.
Skrabal continues rolling his joint. Once it's in his mouth and lit he opens another bottle of beer before replying.
He sits smoking his joint and swigging his beer, thinking about what he's going to write in his pad next when his phone vibrates and beeps again.
Tapping at his phone Skrabal instantly replies
He puts his phone down on the table and stands up to stretch his legs. Walking around the dinning room his gaze falls upon an old photograph taken in the late 90's. It features a beaming five year old Skrabz and his three year old sister, their Mum stands next to them looking proud. Skrabal feels his mood deflate as he holds the photo in his hand.
He returns it to it's place and picks up his back pack, soon pulling out a 30mg quick release morphine tablet. He crushes it to powder and greedily snorts it up his right nostril. He turns the music off and sits at the dinning table, stubbing out his joint in the ashtray and then downing what remains of his beer.
He pulls close everything he needs to roll his next joint and takes two more bottles of Budweiser out of their box.
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Post by Skrabz on May 13, 2018 15:21:30 GMT -6
Coming to America
Part 9: Soz fam.
Location: South Eastern Railways train traveling from Margate to London.
Time: 11.40am
Date: 14/5/2018
Skrabal had spent the entirety of the thirteenth abusing Opioids and sleeping. He always reacted the same way when the depression really hit him. He calls it self medication, he calls all of his drug use self medication... and a lot people call that bullshit. They are probably all correct in some way.
He had woken up early on the fourteenth and spent a few hours cleaning up his mess. Throwing out beer bottles and removing any signs of the drug use that had taken place.
It was still early when he left his mother's house. The For Sale in the front garden of the property had sent a pang of anxiety through his body as he walked past it on his way out. Usually he would reach for a beer or a joint or... anything, but not this morning.
This morning he had somewhere to be, something he uncharacteristically wanted to be somewhat close to sober for but when visiting time came he just couldn't face seeing her.
He was sitting on the train back to London writing in his pad when his phone vibrated.
Shaking his head Skrabal messages Ty
Skrabal goes back to writing his book and a few minutes later Ty replies.
Skrabal puts his phone down after reading the message and continues jotting rhymes in his book for the rest of the journey.
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Post by Skrabz on May 15, 2018 7:46:02 GMT -6
Coming to America
Part 10: I'm worried about you fam.
Location: Skrabals flat, Stratford, London, England.
Date: 14/5/2018
Time: 11:05pm
True to his word Ty visited Skrabal at his flat later that day. The pair have been sitting in Skrabals living room drinking and smoking for an hour or so when the subject of Skrabals short stay in Margate came up.
"I just had to get away fam. Friday was a madness, I swear down." explained Skrabz.
"You know you gonna need to give man the deets, fam." Ty demanded.
"It's a long ting man. I don't know how long you got."
"Talk to me bredrin." said Ty.
"It started right after I left here fam, no before I even came... it was the women in the park."
"The granma?" Ty questioned laughing.
"Fuck you man... I left here on Friday, yeah? And I went to get some cash out but man was bruck fam, brassick, not even ten pound in the bank."
"Times are rough fam." Ty sympathized.
"Bleak bruv... So I went home on a sulk tip and sat there bunnin trees all day thinking of where to get some skrilla. Nearly phone my man for a job..."
"Who's your man?"
"The Old Man."
"Fam...."
"I didn't phone man... but it might have been better if I did fam, trust!"
"Talk to me." Ty said urging Skrabz to continue.
"So she messaged man actin real coy at first but man knows she want the D from the off, standard! And she soon invite man round but shit was weird bro... First she tells man he can't bun a joint there." Skrabal explained with a perplexed expression.
"For real?" Ty said inquisitively.
"For real cuz... was a no high zone apparently... Man was gonna leave then but now suddenly I can smoke there... fam I thought she was gagging for the D ya-nah?"
"What, she wasn't on it fam?" asked Ty.
"Nah, she was... shit was just weird bruv. So less than two minutes after man goes to leave I'm on the sofa leaned back fam, smoking my joint, drinking wine from a bottle like a king with my dick so far down her throat I swear I felt it singe in her stomach acid."
"That's deep fam." said Ty almost wincing.
"So then we go upstairs and this is when shit gets real weird fam. I'm fucking her but it's mechanical fam, like it has to be a certain way in a certain place in the room. Man cant switch up positions or nothin fam and she keeps looking at the wardrobe... Do you wanna know why all that is?" Skrabal asked.
"Why fam?"
"Coz her degenerate husband was hiding in the wardrobe watching blud, greasing his sheepskin, ya get me?"
"Naaaaahhhhh fam!" shouted Ty.
"On my life fam! Swear down! Entire thing was a stitch up from start to finish."
"This all sound a little contrived fam." said Ty tongue in cheek.
"What you saying man's telling stories on a fairy-tale tip? You don't believe man?" Skrabz asked defensively.
"Nah I believe man still but... What you do?"
"Parred man off. Knocked him out and stole his watch."
"I woulda gone MAD! Believe that fam..... But listen hold up I need to change the subject and talk to you cuz." Said Ty with a serious expression on his face.
"Speak on it bruv."
"I'm worried about you fam." Ty said looking Skrabz in the eye.
"What you mean worried fam?"
"Man's gonna be straight with you on a real tip, yeah? Don't catch feelings over this brother, it comes from a place of love ya get me?"
"For real fam I appreciate your honesty" Skrabz said extending his hand for a fist bump which was swiftly reciprocated.
"I dont know if it's the right time for you to be diving in to this wrestling tip right now."
"Why not cuz?" Skrabz asked unable to mask his surprise.
"It's like this fam... Check the facts fam but man usually come out of wrestling with a painkiller problem and you going in with one fam. There's a difference between what man's been doing with his wrestling and man's gonna be doing, you see me? And you getting involved in all manner of madnesses right before this opportunity." Explained Ty.
"I see you fam. It's a step up for real, but on the level I appreciate your love and concern my brother but it's unwarranted. I got it fam. It's all under control." Skrabz said, dismissing Ty's concerns.
"I hope so cuz. I mean that. I wish you nothing but success in this ting." said Ty.
"I know that fam."
"So what's the deal with the ting? What they setting you up with?" Asked Ty hoping to keep the conversation flowing.
"Nothing fam, it's all on me this time. Nothing like it's been up till the now. Nobody telling man what to do this time brudda, that's why I'm flying half way around the the world."
"So what you gonna do?" Ty asked.
"I'm a be me fam. I'm a rise to the top. And when I get there I'm a bring Toll up with me."
"You think you got it all planned out don't you bredrin?" Ty asked jokingly.
"I know I do fam, I know I do." Skrabal says lightheartedly.
"But this is what I need your help with. The work starts tomorrow night and I want you and some of the mandem there from the start." Skrabal continued.
Ty nodded his his head and the pair continued talking late in to the night.
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Post by Skrabz on May 16, 2018 4:01:33 GMT -6
Coming to America
Part 11:
Eat, feast and grow big.
Location: Skrabals flat, Stratford, London, England.
Date: 15/5/2018
Time: 9.00pm
A dozen people have descended on Skrabals flat, five of them Toll Gang members dressed in their TG clothing as instructed, and the rest of them friends and associates who were free to dress themselves. It is a party atmosphere. Skrabal is in his living room with Toll Gang members Ty, Nash, Tox, Shox and Quiet Man. A sober Scouse Mick is in the corner setting up his filming equipment.
Ty and Nash are going back to back exchanging acapella bars while Quiet Man sits quietly. Tox and Shox take this as an opportunity to approach Skrabal.
"Yo what's good fam" asks Tox
"We need to speak on this wrestling ting bro" Shox asserts not wanting to waste any time.
"You know I knew you man would come to me and I wish I had something to say fam but it's not a ting" Skrabal tells them.
"What you mean it's not a ting, fam?" Shox asks
"Look fam there's nothin in it for you man yet. It's a small ting, man are having to throw teams together, ya get me?" explains Skrabz.
"Seen, seen" says Tox with disappointment in his voice.
"Give it time bro, there's potential in the ting and it's good that you hungry but there's nothing to eat yet fam, you man'll starve out there. You need to stay here right now, eat, feast and grow big, you get me? I'm a come for all you man when it's supper time" Skrabal assures them.
From the corner of the room Scouse Mick gives the signal that he is ready to start filming. Skrabal sits on his sofa, behind his coffee table that bares the evidence of the nights activities and Ty, Nash, Tox and Shox take their places on and around the sofa as everyone else stands around the room talking. Skrabal turns on a beat as Scouse Mick points his camera at the floor and begins recording.
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Post by Skrabz on May 16, 2018 23:57:43 GMT -6
Coming to America
Part 12: A big opportunity.
Location: Skrabals flat, Stratford, London, England.
Date: 17/5/2018
Time: 8.35am
Skrabal had made the decision to watch the first episode of Mile High Wrestling on his own. He would be lying if he said he wasn't nervous. His anxiety had him pacing his living room at times and while it would usually send him scurrying for his opioids this time was different. With Ty's words of concern echoing in his ears he powered through without a dose, instead choosing to slowly sip on a bottle of beer.
Scouse Mick had filmed and edited Skrabals video. Video is his life and although Scouse Mick has a terrible problem with Valium he is very good at his job. Skrabal didn't know at which point in the show his video would be aired and it was this that was causing the anxiety to come in waves as he sat and watched the show.
His anxiety faded for good following Cult Manhattans convincing submission victory over Ginger Knox when the show returned from commercial with the Toll Gang logo displayed on screens around the world. When the video ended their was a clear buzz in the arena and as the minutes ticked past some buzz had started to build on the internet. It wasn't much, but given Skrabal was totally unknown before tonight the mere fact that people were taking notice so quickly was not something to be ignored.
Before the first episode went live Skrabal had been promised a big opportunity for episode two during a brief twitter communication with Mile High Wrestling owner Robert Mack. Skrabal awoke the next morning keen and eager to find out just what that big opportunity was and after a quick look online he found that his debut matched had been scheduled against "The Real Deal" Dillon Daniels.
He tried to ignore it, but as he stood in his kitchen smoking his first joint of the day and waiting for the kettle to boil he just couldn't stop his mind from churning. Tea made and joint almost smoked he sat down on his sofa and began writing in his rhyme book.
Man said a big opportunity
and this is what they do to me?
They gonna throw me trash?
like all they have is scraps for Skrabz?
Ya-nah this man is not a match for me
I hack and slash spectacularly
I got a Waco siege mentality
for his lil cult of personality
He spins the pen between his fingers for a few seconds then throws it down with a "Fuck it" and pick up his phone, he sets it to record a video then props it on the table so its lens is facing him.
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Post by Skrabz on May 18, 2018 15:04:44 GMT -6
Coming to America
Part 13: Ten bags.
Location: Skrabals flat, Stratford, London, England.
Date: 17/5/2018
Time: 9:45am
As Skrabal sat on his sofa ruminating on his decision to shoot and upload his rant without any real consideration he felt the familiar pangs of anxiety brewing in his body that had plagued his life. He craved the sweet release and relaxtion provided by the pills that would be so easy to crush and insufflate. Just as felt his resolve slip his phoned beeped it's message received tone.
The anxiety pangs intensified and Skrabal was flooded with guilt as he tapped out his response.
Skrabal rose from the sofa and made the short walk across his living towards his backpack. He picked it up and began rummaging through it's pockets and compartments. He pulled out his box of quick release Morphine pills, he opened the box and flipped it upside down expecting the blister pack to fall into his hand but all that did was a small, folded piece of paper.
Skrabal dropped the box on the floor and unfolded the note. "Nah fam" it said. Skrabal dived back into his bag and pulled out his box of Codeine tablets, he tore the box open only to find another note. "Nah fam" it said.
He grabbed his phone and quickly typed out a message.
He opened a bottle of beer and quickly knocked back half of it while impatiently waiting for a message back.
At first Skrabal was angered by Tys confession but instead of reacting and lashing out with an angry message he sat and finished his beer, then had another one, with a joint. Feeling less anxious and slightly intoxicated he messaged Ty back.
Location: Skrabals flat, Stratford, London, England.
Date: 17/5/2018
Time: 8:15pm
"So listen fam" Nash said to Skrabal with excitement in his voice "We know you had some trouble on the financials and we wanna help you bredrin".
"I can't take your money fam" Skrabal said without thinking.
"It's not our money" Ty told him "It's Tolls".
"Ya-nah how you would never let Toll invest in you, would never commit to an album or nuthin. Well we wanna take that money we had put aside for your album and invest it in ya wrestling cuz. We got ten bags for you" Nash explained.
"Ten bags fam, that's enough to get you out there and keep you fed for a while till you start getting paid" added Ty.
"Shit... I dunno man" Skrabal hesitated.
"Look fam if you plannin to go over there and build for Toll then Toll wanna support you from day one brudda, a bit part in your hype ting is all good fam but we wanna show real support you get me?" Said Nash trying to convince Skrabz to take the money.
Skrabal took a few seconds to consider what the two had said to him before responding.
After gathering his thoughts he said "OK you done convinced man but I can't tell you how appreciative man is. Man is grateful fam, trust."
"We booked your flight too. Come Monday night you out fam." Ty told him.
"Aww shit, you man are too kind fam." Skrabal said, almost overwhelmed by the support being shown by his closest friends.
"I need to ask you man a favour still but after all this I feel like I'm a be taking the piss ya-nah? But I'm a need you man to keep on eye on my sister for me while I'm away."
"Say no more fam, anything she needs." Nash assured him.
"Any time, any place fam, we got her." Ty added.
"Seen, safe... I can't thank you man enough." Skrabal told told them.
With business and family taken care of, the conversation drifted through many topics spanning many years as memories of events and escapades from the past were brought to the surface. With Skrabals flight booked, paid for and fast approaching, it seemed that, subconsciously at least, the three men were aware of their short time remaining together as such a close group and had formed an unspoken agreement to reminisce on the things that had brought them to this moment.
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Post by Skrabz on May 20, 2018 15:35:16 GMT -6
Coming to America
Part 14: That's fantastic.
Location: Margate, Kent, England.
Date: 18/5/2018
Time: 11.25am
Skrabal has been psyching himself up for this all morning, since the moment he woke up, but he was still having second thoughts even now as he stands outside the mint green buildings double doors. After waking up early and catching the first train out of London he really doesn't want to turn back now so he takes a deep breath and walks inside.
The lady at the desk gives him a pity smile as they make eye contact. "How has she been?" He asks her as he signs the visitors book. "Stable. There's been no further deterioration. Just talk to her about old times, people she might remember, happy memories. Try to laugh with her." She advises him. "She's knows your coming." She adds as Skrabal hands her back the visitors book.
Skrabal makes the short walk from the desk to a small private room just off the main hallway. As he walks in to the room he hesitates to look at her and when he does he sees a frail shell of the woman that raised him. Her grey hair and pale complexion betraying her age, making her appear at least fifteen years older than she is. A blank expression on her face as she stares vacantly out of the window.
"Hello, Mum." Skrabal says as he sits down on the wooden chair in front of her but slightly off to the side. She doesn't respond. "How are you?" Skrabal asks, unsure if she had heard him. Again, she fails to acknowledge him.
"I was at your place recently. It still hasn't sold but there has been a lot of interest. Hopefully soon..."
"I was looking at an old photo of the three of us, you, me and sis. You remember the one taken outside Butlins in Skegness? Yeah of course of you remember, that was a great week." He looks at her waiting for a response, but no response comes.
"Sis said she'll come down soon to see you, she's just been real busy with work and school. She's doing well though, got herself a lovely little place now not far from me. She sends her love."
"You know on the way down here I was thinking about that time when I was 11... 12 years old. When Dad came and stayed with us that summer and we had water fights and slept in the garden. That was a great summ..." He trails off as he struggles to maintain his composure.
"I've... I've got some news. I've got a new job but it means... It means that I'm not going to be able to see you for a while. It's in America..." he stops talking as he sees her eyes light up.
His mother turns to face him and with a big smile on her face she says "That's fantastic. You know, I've had some good news too".
"What is it?" Skrabal asks enthusiastically.
"The nurses told me that my son is coming to see me" she says, eyes bright and a beaming smile on her face as she looks directly at Skrabal.
An eternity seems to pass while Skrabal comprehends what she said.
"You're very lucky. Your son must love you very much." he says as he reaches out and places his hand on hers. "I'll see you soon." he says before getting up and leaving.
His mother doesn't respond.
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Post by Skrabz on May 23, 2018 15:03:37 GMT -6
Coming to America
Part 15: No.
Date: 21/5/2018
Location: Skrabals flat, Stratford, London, England.
Time: 8:30am
Skrabal had gone none contact after visiting his mother. His sister and his closest friends had been trying to reach him all weekend with no luck. When his sister arrived at his his flat bright and early on Monday morning she was surprised to see him up and about, and ready to leave.
"Have you been to see mum?" were the first words out her of her mouth.
Skrabal knew she would ask him this and he had already prepared his response. "No" he said, the lie rolling off his tongue far easier than the truth every could.
His sister seemed disappointed but she understood, or at least she thought she did, and knowing this would be the last time she would see her brother for a while she decided to let it go.
Date: 21/5/2018
Time 10:00am
People would come and go all morning but it was just Ty, Nash, Chantele and Skrabals sister left when the black cab pulled up outside Skrabals flat, signifying it was time for him to leave.
With his two bags placed in the boot of the car he turned to the small group of people that meant the most to him.
There was a tension in the air, as if everyone present wanted to mark the occasion with some words, a well composed and thoughtful speech, some words of advice or wisdom, but everyone's minds were drawing a blank.
The big goodbye passed with few words exchanged. Skrabal hugged his friends in turn and finally held his sister in his arms. He kissed her on the forehead then entered the cab.
"Man'll be in touch" he said as he closed the door.
The cab slowly accelerated down the road and out of sight as Nash held Skrabals sister to comfort her.
OOC: I'm gutted I've had to end this so abruptly. I had wanted to to end it in three more parts that I had intended to post before todays show but computer issues have prevented me from doing that. I dont want to be writing this "in the past" while still writing for things "in the now" (if that makes sense) and I figure this ending is better than no ending.
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