You look up and grin defiantly. The gang leader realizes that he’ll never break your spirit. He signals for the others to stop. You wait, expectantly. He allows silence to build the tension. The gang waits greedily, thirsty for more blood.

He reaches out his hand, and shakes yours forcefully. “Any fool can take a beating, bra. Not many take it an’ keep respect. That’s off the chain. My name’s Skeletor. We the Black Eyes, not black guys. Don’t be gettin’ it confused or you be cruisin’ for a bruisin’. You hear me, jinglestring?”

“Ain’t no thang, but a chicken wang.”

“Respect. You know what I’m sayin’. Cat here’s Spike, on account that spiky ‘do he sports. Fella wit’ the pipe be Pipe. That’s Scratch right there ‘cuz he ain’t never got any cash. And this here’s Bite ‘cuz he always be bitin’ everybody’s jive ideas. What you be callin’ yourself?”

You say, “Sting ‘cuz I’m the bees knees.”

“So is you in or is you out?” Skeletor asked.

If you is in, go to page 14

If you is out, go to page 15