In my 20’s I chose to be a criminal…
I wasn’t forced into “The Game.” In fact most of my elders tried to talk me out of it. “You got some smarts kid, pursue your writing” they would say.
Their were rules to “The Game” back then and I played by them. Not only did I play by them, I honored them. Women and men who were in “The Game” I considered kindred spirits, teammates if you will.
I excelled at being a criminal. So much so that I had to bring in others to help out with some of my more daring heist. My first recruit was a good friend of mine from my military days known as, King Mother Fucking Ron. Ron was a solid dude with the kind of cool laid back demeanor I needed to proceed in “The Game” while remaining under the radar. With our military background we were disciplined enough to plan, and carry out our objectives with minimal bodily harm and incredible efficiency.
Even when I got knocked on a humble Ron held me down. I remember when he came to bail
me out he kept apologizing profusely. I had to remind him that I chose this life freely. That payday would have been sweet, but Ron called it off at the last minute because children were in the house. His lick, his call.
A nigga with a code…
That’s why I love this dude to this day. This nigga played “The Game” by the rules and we both had similar “playbooks”. There were certain lines we were not willing to cross and the possibility of a child getting hurt during a heist was one of them. Horrible things have happened to players with no code and I was not one to tempt Fate. I needed to flesh out a set of rules, a mantra… a code of ethics… A Player’s Code!
THE PLAYER’S CODE
This life I choose I choose freely.
I will not allow a child to be harmed in my presence.
I will not involve Law Enforcement in street matters.
I will never furnish information to law enforcement.
It is Us vs. Them always.
I will do my time.
Corrupt law enforcement are scum. Treat them as you would a pedophile.
Police that cover for corrupt police are scum. Treat them as you would a pedophile.
Children and civilians are exempt from retaliation.
Exemptions can be revoked for bodily harm or death committed by a child or civilian.
© Michael C. Emanuel
