"All the World's a Stage," Part III: "Long Awaited"

It was the day after Johnny and Jaredicus had met with Leon, they were participating in their morning ritual, hanging over the side of the second floor railing having a smoke together. Soon Jaredicus’ phone rings.

Jaredicus answers the phone and speaks into it, “Hello?” He asks.

“Where’s my college tuition dad?” The voice of a raspy middle aged man with a deep Spanish accent bursts from the other end, a laugh is then heard as Jaredicus pulls the phone away from his face and covers it.

Jaredicus then whispers to Johnny, “It’s Santiago.” He then places the phone back to his ear and speaks into it, “We will finish our payment in full in a few weeks. I got a job offer and it should cover everything. I may even chip in a little extra for your patience.”

A loud laugh is heard at the other end of the line, “You always know that I want to hear Jaredicus! You have me sold, I’ll be patient but just this one time. Until then, I suggest you lay off the cigarettes, it’s an unhealthy habit.” Santiago says with enthusiasm as he begins to laugh maniacally. Ironic for a drug dealer to say such words. Jaredicus then hands up the line.

“Santiago is giving us a few more weeks.” Jaredicus tells Johnny.

“That’s a relief.” Johnny says as he looks out into the distance from the railing. He trains his eyes toward the sidewalk at the bottom and stares at an empty styrofoam cup, “So…, what did you do exactly for the mob?” Johnny asks Jaredicus with some seriousness.

“When I was younger, Leon took me in after being kicked out by my own parents. I took great interest in shooting guns, Leon would take me to alleyways and have me do target practice until we would hear sirens closing in, then we would make a run for it laughing along the way.” Jaredicus joins Johnny in his distant stare, and continues while looking out to see the Los Angeles skyline far in the distance, “As I got older and older, Leon had me robbing convenience stores and would allow me to keep any money I took. He taught me the basics of robbery, and soon in my teen years I was helping with larger and larger jobs.”

“Who knew that while we were attending high school together, and we hung out during lunch and what not, you would be doing this kind of shit after school.” Johnny adds to the story, “No wonder your grades were always shit, you were never focused.”

“Yeah, by that time I was robbing small banks and armored cars all around Los Angeles. However, that is when I started getting into cocaine. Leon didn’t like drugs, but behind his back I would start dealing and buying cocaine, then it was heroin. Now look at us.” Jaredicus began to sound more depressed, “Soon I started getting screwed over in cuts, I wouldn’t make as much money as the other guys would. They said they had the privilege because they were older and more experienced, but I pulled my weight. When I was about twenty, I cut myself off from everyone, and that’s when I contacted you.”

“I remember that, that was the same time my mom died and I was homeless for about a month.” Johnny showcases his perspective.

“Here we are now, barely paying rent, sober because we blew our last bit of money on that heroin. I feel regret.” Jaredicus looks down over the railing.

Johnny places his hand on Jaredicus’ shoulder. For a moment they stand in silence as both of those young men contemplate their choices, however Johnny changes the deep talk, “So…, what is a heist like?” Johnny asks.

Jaredicus lifts his head, “They are notably dangerous, always the chance of getting killed or killing someone. It’s a psychotic job, and I am not very excited to do it again but I know it will put me on good terms with Leon and it will pay off our rent, our debt, and our new start in life.” Jaredicus speaks with more energy. However, that sense of longing is ever-present. The two of them share that sense of longing.

“What if things don’t go according to plan?” Johnny asks with concern.

Jaredicus smiles and looks at Johnny, “That’s when you get a new plan.” He says.