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Speaker 1: Oh wow. Thank you guys. What a great crowd we have today. Thank you so much, thank you, thank you, thank you. Okay, oh I love you too. All right, um, welcome back to the Void. I'm your purgatory host Savannah Rhodes. Today's show is about a tricky subject, gentrification. It's one of those huge topics that nobody is neutral on. You got to have an opinion. We might disagree on the causes and the solutions, but in my opinion, the question of its ethics is bineering. So let's test it out. Play a little game, if you will. It's really simple. You're gonna hear two different perspectives on gentrification, kindly borrowed from the Internet, and then you decide who you'd rather be stuck with in a zombie apocalypse. It's pretty easy. Okay, there is a hint. There are no wrong answers here, everybody, but there is a right one. All right, here we go, you ready. First up, we have stop Moving to Oakland by anonymous posted on Craigslist August. Stop moving to Oakland. Our landlords are greedy, unaccountable, and vicious. They take every chance they can to raise rental costs, and we can't afford to live here anymore. Maybe you don't understand. Maybe you just bring all of your money, your privilege, and resources from New York l a Silicone Valley. We're not like you. We're blue collar. We're busted. We struggle to keep our heads above water and healthy food on the table, roofs over our heads. We're not startups and cafes and gastro pubs wt of gastro pub We're donuts and churches and liquor stores. We're community gardens and fried chicken. Yeah, we know it's pretty here. It wasn't the nineties when you wouldn't have anything to do with us. So not hip and so not San Francisco. It was in the eighties when you were afraid of us. In our dangerous neighborhoods. We have yards and wide streets, old buildings that look like ships. You're turning our neighborhoods into Brooklyn and our freeways into l A. You're replacing our family neighborhoods with bad over manicure, facial hair and fixed gear bicycles, four dollar cups of coffee, and high end food trucks. Our landlords they're not responsible enough to handle your presence, your money, your ambivalence to how you affect the world around you. They see dollar signs, dream of becoming powerful real estate moguls, or at least have no qualms about taking as much as they can from whoever will give it, and you give it, you have it to give. You can't seem to love something for what it is. You need to leave your mark and possess influence. If you will, we love what we already are without you. You can have San Francisco. It's already been destroyed. Please stop moving to Oakland. Go home, Go back to wherever it is that you came from. That you already fucked up. Williamsburg, Brooklyn, San Francisco, Palazzo, Go back there, stay there. Damn all right, that's a tough one to fall off. Our next public opinion is called how did Oakland get Ghetto? From Oakland MOFO dot com August M not gonna lie. Some of our listeners might find this one a bit rough. Oakland actually used to be full of beautiful Victorian mansions, predominantly white and middle to upper class. What change was during World War Two? Kaiser Yes, the Insure Company, built several shipyards around the Bay Area, including Oakland, Richmond, and San Francisco. They set up shop here, mass producing liberty ships for the war. African Americans were actually allowed to work in these shipyards and moved out here in the masses to escape racism in the South. They were paid more here than they can get anywhere else, but still face racism and lump themselves together in communities like West Oakland. This sparked white flight and all the wealthier, middle to upper class white people moved out, leaving behind a beautiful Victorian lace neighborhood that was destroyed and run down by the new residents over the years, leaving behind the ghetto West Oakland. We know now some people will argue that red lines forced the African Americans to live in these areas and would not allow them to move out to nicer areas like Piedmont and the Hills, But that does still not change the fact that the people living in the community they're trashed it and set the pace for the future. Show. After the war was over, the shipyard ghetto had a higher unemployment rate, but that is no excuse to ruin a beautiful neighborhood. I mean, when I'm unemployed I don't go out trashing my city. I take the time to work on this site and show love for my city. The only people to blame for the ugly, beat up housing now are the current and in some cases old residents. They made Oakland ugly no one, but then it's not Oakland's job to stay ghetto, business list, poor and ugly so that a few people who aren't doing anything for themselves can live here. Instead of crying that, people are chipping in and provide security because they're tired of being robbed. Maybe you should start a campaign and chipping for what you want, schools, after school programs, whatever you think will fix it, do it yourselves, take action like the new residents are. I am pro gentrification, whatever that means, and I want my need to improve, expand and get better update. Moving out of Lokaland was the best thing I ever did. I can't believe I spent my whole life there. I guess I just didn't know any better. See what I mean, You either care about other people or you don't. Simple as that, as a society, we're out of crossroads. There's a poem that says, each age is a dream that is dying or one that is coming to birth. You sense it, don't you. Blind faith in our politicians, our leaders, and our media has vanished. Cynicism and mistrust have replaced hope. As we watched the rats jump off the sinking ship. It's the dying dream. So where do we go from here? Well, we could continue down the road of less expansion, self preservation, every person for themselves. Like in all you can Eat buffet, we each get the equal opportunity to take everything we can pile into our plates. Don't bother worrying about the other person behind you. More food is on the way. But in real life, no one replaces that tray of lukewarm mashed potatoes. When it's gone. It's gone. Yeah, that's an oversimplification, but you get my point. What we've created in this world of ours is unsustainable. When we can look at another person struggling and think, well, he's reaping what he's sewed, that's not just a moral failure. It's a sign that things are not going to get better anytime soon. So I'm going to suggest the second option, complete overhaul. Let's start over in the lies, exploitation, inequity, and social indifference. Let's start something new. How I mean, in history there's always an inciting act that jump starts a movement, ignites a change and consciousness, or even a rebellion. The window to act is narrowing. Maybe you're thinking, Savannah, you're in a coma, How the hell are you going to do anything? Well, you're right. In my current state, I can't dismantle anything, but I know someone who can. She might not think like me, but she sure does look like me. John was at a cross Robes. So far two hours had passed since Irene was taken by Davon and Angela. She sat at a park bench, paralyzed by the choices before her. Right now she was free, and it was Irene who was being held hostage. She could leave the city, even the state, if she wanted to. If the last six months had taught her anything, it was that she had the skill set to make it on her own. But the world was a dangerous place where a team girl with no friends and family. Chanty had already learned that the hard way, the rational choice would be to do. If she was instructed, go to Valera, get him to pay the ransom for Ring, and finally be rid of Devon. Forever. However, going to Valera would mean returning herself to captivity, or perhaps worse. After all, he was under the impression that she had actually killed Davon. Chante and Irene failed to inform Valera that the pimp escaped the fire and only the body of a woman, most likely one of his girls, was recovered. This failure would undoubtedly be seen as a lie of omission. Though it was true Valeria had no patience for lies, it was surely a safer option than spending her life on the run from a man with eyes and ears everywhere, and another who was fueled by dingens. That version of freedom would be no freedom at all. Yes, Davon would never forgive her for the egregious part she played in naming him, nor would Valera understand her lack of honesty. Their fury would not end at the return of the serpentine Slovik trumpet. Thus, it was far safer to leave the past behind and start a new damn. Okay, this is hella confusing. If y'all would just stop talking, then maybe I could think. There can't only be two options here, co Yeah, there was, in fact a third option. Chante could recover iring. Without the help of Valera, it would mean she'd have to kill Davon for real this time. But now she had the strength and training. All she needed was our planned. You gotta be playing with me. How am I going to come up with the plan? I mean, really all by myself. It was at this moment Shante realized a woman stood across the street staring at her. She took a closer look and recognized who it was. Rebecca, the girl who had first saved her from Davon and who had told her the truth about Freedom House. Rebecca was also the last person she wanted to see right now, But something told her this wasn't a coincidence. In the past, Rebecca's presence always prophesied trouble. This time would be no different. Seante would need to leave immediately to avoid additional unwanted drauma. What additional drama? Hey don't know if you remember me? I Rebecca? No? Oh, maybe I should call you Laurie. Well, if you knew that, then why you asked? I just wanted to know your preference. Girl, Leave me alone, all right, I'm not in the mood you saw me that night at City Hall with Lenny. I know you did, so what kick rocks? Okay? Oh what are your Russian friends? Are gonna chop me up if I don't? How do you know about that? You know, when Lenny told me you were an intern, I knew something was up and my curiosity got the best of me. And I'm glad you did, because I followed you here to the city and the rest wasn't hard to put together. The car you were picked up in at diplomatic plates, Russian plates at that, and the buff dudes driving you around definitely looked like a couple of lackeys, so obviously you struck gold. Damn. Okay, stalker, what are you some kind of secret agents spy? Now? I was gonna ask you the same thing. I mean, you're the one hanging with Russian diplomats and getting internships with the Oakland mayor. Okay, bitch, So what you're trying to say? So because I'm not Boogie, I can't be doing big things with my life. Come on, sis, don't do that. One day you're at Freedom House and the next day you're at city Hall and it's not adding up. Okay, you've seen the care a lot about was going on in my life that means you want something, So what do you want? Yeah? I do want something I needed Actually I knew it. What Okay, and make it quick because I got my own ship to be handled. All right. Remember the data leak that happened around the same time as the Freedom House fire, Well, dull, yeah what Well, as you know, a lot of important people were implicating in that leak, but there were others well, others that got away with some really bad shit. So way you were behind that lead. I mean you could say that, Hey, look when you were at Freedom House, did you see this guy? Think? Maybe listen, a lot of dudes look like him. Yeah, Well he's an FBI agent, corrupt as hell. We think he was a client at Freedom House. It might be connected to White burned down and right now he's trying to deport my friend because we're close to bringing him down. Listen, I don't know where you're getting your information from, but I know you're all the way off. How do you know just because you showed all your cards doesn't mean I'm to show my miss lady. As a matter of fact, I gotta go. Yeah, well he's working with your people. What. Like I said, we were close to taking this asshole down. We even trace evidence back to the building you're living in. Now. It's a crazy coincidence, I know, but it's the true. Hell No, these people don't have anything to do with Oh yeah, well, how do you know that? Even if you're right? Okay, I'm not even in the position to help you, but I just need you to get me inside, to take me there. I can handle the rest of my own. The fact that you think it's that easy just proves you're crazy. Good buck, come on, chante please, this is an act of desperation on my part. Girl, I don't beg Look, haven't you ever wanted to help a friend? Fine? All right, As a matter of fact, I do know what that is. Like, I know where the computers are. Irene has some footage from the Freedom House, you know, hitting cameras and ship. I never knew why, but I guess she has her reason. Yes see, that's exactly what I need. Thank you. Let's go hold up, okay, miss thing, Let's talk about what you're gonna do for me. All right, You're a smart cookie. Whatever you need, I got you. It's Irene. Okay. That fake asked him and his mama took her I've got to get her back before her crazy uncle finds out that she's even missing. Why would you want to help a woman who ran a brothel and exploited girls like you? Rebecca had a point, but Shante considered all the things Irene had done on her bath. She couldn't bring herself to be disloyal without Irene. Her life belonged to that bio patriarchal voice who haunted her every move. For now, she still needed her mentor you don't know her? Okay, She's the reason I'm even still alive. So it's either we have a deal or don't. It's not negotiable. All right, Fine, I'll help you find her in worry about my conscience later, but we gotta get the evidence first. Okay, great, let's go. Now, hold on, hold on, I need to call my take guy. What girl? I know you didn't think I was gonna hack this computer myself. Five minutes later, Chante and Rebecca were joined by an odd fellow called Ernie. As it turned out, Rebecca's friend was something of an unhumorous court jester. He also happened to be quite meloderous, like many other trees in his dissidence calling themselves activists. Ernie's bathing habits were questionable at best. As they entered the elevator of the condominium, Shanta held her breath to avoid inhaling his foul aroma. When they finally arrived at the top floor, she burst through the elevator doors, gasping for a breath of fresh air. Y'all need to be quick, m yes, ma'am, quick as my middle name. And you're sure there's no security? I don't want any surprises. Naturally, Shante did not admit that she had drugged the guards the night before. Furthermore, Irene assured her that it had been taken care of. Nah, okay, they had the day off. Though she said this with confidence, she couldn't know with certainty the whereabouts of the men. For all she knew, they could be waiting for her when she opened the door. Would you just shut the hell up already? Damn? Who's she talking to? I don't know you? Okay, Yes, I'm fine, Okay, it's just this man in my head. But don't worry about that. Listen, this is our place. When they entered the apartment, both Rebecca and earning gas sunlight from the massive floor to ceiling windows filled the elegant room. It was stunning. Shante had become accustomed to the remarkable refinery of her home and did not understand why the others. Hesitated, and she looked at the faces. It struck her how far she had come and how much she had to lose. Wow, okay, nice, come up? How much is a place like this go for? Three? Four milk? Do it look like I know? Okay, I'm not the one that paid for it. Now, look, are you gonna keep staring or you're gonna get the ship out of the computer staying on desk? I like it? Show me the way. She brought them into Irene's bedroom and opened the closet door. There was a large fireproof safe inside. She punched in a code and opened it. Several laptops, boxes, and trinkets were inside. Shanty took out the laptop she recognized from the Halfway House and handed it to Ernie. All right, so here it is. This is her old laptop from Freedom House. I don't know the password. Don't worry, I got it from here. We'll just be a few minutes. Okay, great, listen, I'm just gonna be right out here until you all the day. But hey, do you have any orange juice? No coffee? Do I look like room service to you? Ernie quite taking. Shante waited anxiously in the living room, Unable to sit still. She looked out the windows and double check that the halls were clear. No matter what she did, she couldn't shake the nagging feeling of uncertainty. That's when she got a terrifying message from Davon. Yo, case you forgot, I still got your little friend over here, looks say, Hie, you better tell that uncle yours that we won't have an infitty if you hurt my mama. Two cash poor the on come midnight, No motherfucking games, Because I won't hesitate you to shoot this bench on the spot, then I'm wna find your ass next to leave that Seante was out of her but it was not too late to undo the damage. She could still leave this mess behind and save herself. The door to her escape was but a few feet away, if only she would seize the chants I thought, I've told you to shut up. Listen, just shut up already, No more of your dumb ass opinions. Mind your piziness talking to that man again no, I'm talking to myself. Is that a problem? Not at all? Just had to check anyway, We're done, so that's it pretty quick, right, That's why they called me the Assange of Oakland. What Ernie, please, you know Julian Assange? Right, Wiki leaks. Don't tell me you're not familiar with this work. I know you're young, but you've got some catching up to do. Okay, listen, enough of that. Now that you got what you needed, we need to figure out how to get Irene. Davon just sent me a video and he it's not playing. Listen. We need to come up with the plan and we need to come up with the plan now. Okay, alright, come on, we'll figure it out, but not inside here. Let's just not push our Look, the devious anarchist has spoken too soon for It was at that very moment Valera entered the apartment with half a dozen security guards. He was also accompanied by a young woman from Chante recognized but could not place. Anger and disappointment was on Valera's face as he took in the scene before him. Laura, this is how you treat me after I trusted you. No, no, no, these are just my friends from work. I invited them over and guess what they were just leaving. That's a lie. This is Rebecca Cooper and this is Ernie. I don't know what his last name is, but he's a hacker and she's an activist. They're both dangerous. Pela, what is this? Why are you an ear? I'm not Beulah Savannah? And it's not so fun to be on the receiving end of a nasty surprise, is it. That's not it's not the video sunk. Take their transpensors to they well through the bed. We're not going anywhere, sweet hard I was not giving you the option. It's the obvious. Lauren did not tell you who I am. So I will try to be patient with you for a while, but you will go with artum Ilo. They too will be patient, but if you give them any trouble, they have my permission to kill you and make your remains into dust. Do you understand? Yes, sir, hear you loud and clear. I'll go make sure our guests are treated properly. Traders, bitch, who are you on the evil twin Fall of Me? Boys? With Rebecca and Ernie gone, it was now just Chantey and Valera. He stared her down without saying a word. She knew he would see through any lie. She could tell, any detail omitted. This was the moment she'd been dreading, if only she had run away when she had the opportunity. I know about you poisoning my man. No, I just gave him the crap. Y'all told me we're just vitamins. It's not like they die. Enough of the excuse us. I will deal with your leader on that matter. Where's my niece? Um? What, well, there's the problem. So we were at Alcatraz earlier in she got kidnapped in the bathroom. More lies my eadie, and I is still strown a fight to to all out such a thing to help. But it's true they drugged her. And where were you when this was happening? Why didn't you help her? I wanted to, but they were keeping her housage until you pay them. They said they were going to kill her if you don't give them two hundred and fifty dollars. You know, I don't like this they business. Who are these people? There was nothing left but to tell the truth. Seante was too afraid not to. She explained how Davon had survived being stabbed, beat and set on fire. She went into detail about his mother, Angela and how she wanted revenge. To her complete surprise, Valera laughed, Irina has been thinking by common criminals. Unbelievable. She has ruined world leaders, destroy entire movement, only to be outsmarted by a pair of pimps. Sometimes in life you must laugh at the irony of things. Come, let us find this slippery characters, are you? Are you going to kill them? Why do you ask? It's the only way. It's the only way you'll be able to get rid of them. Trust me, They'll just keep on coming back. I'll take care of this my way, and I'll be trusting you for nothing. Chantey couldn't read the expression on Valeria's face as he said this. He was impenetrable. His words were ambiguous enough to be both meaningless and fearsome. Unsure of what the near future held for her, she followed him and his men out of the apartment. As they entered the freight elevator and descended into the darkness, Chanty became certain that only more horror awaited her. In the next chapter of this unending saga,
Speaker 1: Oh wow. Thank you guys. What a great crowd we have today. Thank you so much, thank you, thank you, thank you. Okay, oh I love you too. All right, um, welcome back to the Void. I'm your purgatory host Savannah Rhodes. Today's show is about a tricky subject, gentrification. It's one of those huge topics that nobody is neutral on. You got to have an opinion. We might disagree on the causes and the solutions, but in my opinion, the question of its ethics is bineering. So let's test it out. Play a little game, if you will. It's really simple. You're gonna hear two different perspectives on gentrification, kindly borrowed from the Internet, and then you decide who you'd rather be stuck with in a zombie apocalypse. It's pretty easy. Okay, there is a hint. There are no wrong answers here, everybody, but there is a right one. All right, here we go, you ready. First up, we have stop Moving to Oakland by anonymous posted on Craigslist August. Stop moving to Oakland. Our landlords are greedy, unaccountable, and vicious. They take every chance they can to raise rental costs, and we can't afford to live here anymore. Maybe you don't understand. Maybe you just bring all of your money, your privilege, and resources from New York l a Silicone Valley. We're not like you. We're blue collar. We're busted. We struggle to keep our heads above water and healthy food on the table, roofs over our heads. We're not startups and cafes and gastro pubs wt of gastro pub We're donuts and churches and liquor stores. We're community gardens and fried chicken. Yeah, we know it's pretty here. It wasn't the nineties when you wouldn't have anything to do with us. So not hip and so not San Francisco. It was in the eighties when you were afraid of us. In our dangerous neighborhoods. We have yards and wide streets, old buildings that look like ships. You're turning our neighborhoods into Brooklyn and our freeways into l A. You're replacing our family neighborhoods with bad over manicure, facial hair and fixed gear bicycles, four dollar cups of coffee, and high end food trucks. Our landlords they're not responsible enough to handle your presence, your money, your ambivalence to how you affect the world around you. They see dollar signs, dream of becoming powerful real estate moguls, or at least have no qualms about taking as much as they can from whoever will give it, and you give it, you have it to give. You can't seem to love something for what it is. You need to leave your mark and possess influence. If you will, we love what we already are without you. You can have San Francisco. It's already been destroyed. Please stop moving to Oakland. Go home, Go back to wherever it is that you came from. That you already fucked up. Williamsburg, Brooklyn, San Francisco, Palazzo, Go back there, stay there. Damn all right, that's a tough one to fall off. Our next public opinion is called how did Oakland get Ghetto? From Oakland MOFO dot com August M not gonna lie. Some of our listeners might find this one a bit rough. Oakland actually used to be full of beautiful Victorian mansions, predominantly white and middle to upper class. What change was during World War Two? Kaiser Yes, the Insure Company, built several shipyards around the Bay Area, including Oakland, Richmond, and San Francisco. They set up shop here, mass producing liberty ships for the war. African Americans were actually allowed to work in these shipyards and moved out here in the masses to escape racism in the South. They were paid more here than they can get anywhere else, but still face racism and lump themselves together in communities like West Oakland. This sparked white flight and all the wealthier, middle to upper class white people moved out, leaving behind a beautiful Victorian lace neighborhood that was destroyed and run down by the new residents over the years, leaving behind the ghetto West Oakland. We know now some people will argue that red lines forced the African Americans to live in these areas and would not allow them to move out to nicer areas like Piedmont and the Hills, But that does still not change the fact that the people living in the community they're trashed it and set the pace for the future. Show. After the war was over, the shipyard ghetto had a higher unemployment rate, but that is no excuse to ruin a beautiful neighborhood. I mean, when I'm unemployed I don't go out trashing my city. I take the time to work on this site and show love for my city. The only people to blame for the ugly, beat up housing now are the current and in some cases old residents. They made Oakland ugly no one, but then it's not Oakland's job to stay ghetto, business list, poor and ugly so that a few people who aren't doing anything for themselves can live here. Instead of crying that, people are chipping in and provide security because they're tired of being robbed. Maybe you should start a campaign and chipping for what you want, schools, after school programs, whatever you think will fix it, do it yourselves, take action like the new residents are. I am pro gentrification, whatever that means, and I want my need to improve, expand and get better update. Moving out of Lokaland was the best thing I ever did. I can't believe I spent my whole life there. I guess I just didn't know any better. See what I mean, You either care about other people or you don't. Simple as that, as a society, we're out of crossroads. There's a poem that says, each age is a dream that is dying or one that is coming to birth. You sense it, don't you. Blind faith in our politicians, our leaders, and our media has vanished. Cynicism and mistrust have replaced hope. As we watched the rats jump off the sinking ship. It's the dying dream. So where do we go from here? Well, we could continue down the road of less expansion, self preservation, every person for themselves. Like in all you can Eat buffet, we each get the equal opportunity to take everything we can pile into our plates. Don't bother worrying about the other person behind you. More food is on the way. But in real life, no one replaces that tray of lukewarm mashed potatoes. When it's gone. It's gone. Yeah, that's an oversimplification, but you get my point. What we've created in this world of ours is unsustainable. When we can look at another person struggling and think, well, he's reaping what he's sewed, that's not just a moral failure. It's a sign that things are not going to get better anytime soon. So I'm going to suggest the second option, complete overhaul. Let's start over in the lies, exploitation, inequity, and social indifference. Let's start something new. How I mean, in history there's always an inciting act that jump starts a movement, ignites a change and consciousness, or even a rebellion. The window to act is narrowing. Maybe you're thinking, Savannah, you're in a coma, How the hell are you going to do anything? Well, you're right. In my current state, I can't dismantle anything, but I know someone who can. She might not think like me, but she sure does look like me. John was at a cross Robes. So far two hours had passed since Irene was taken by Davon and Angela. She sat at a park bench, paralyzed by the choices before her. Right now she was free, and it was Irene who was being held hostage. She could leave the city, even the state, if she wanted to. If the last six months had taught her anything, it was that she had the skill set to make it on her own. But the world was a dangerous place where a team girl with no friends and family. Chanty had already learned that the hard way, the rational choice would be to do. If she was instructed, go to Valera, get him to pay the ransom for Ring, and finally be rid of Devon. Forever. However, going to Valera would mean returning herself to captivity, or perhaps worse. After all, he was under the impression that she had actually killed Davon. Chante and Irene failed to inform Valera that the pimp escaped the fire and only the body of a woman, most likely one of his girls, was recovered. This failure would undoubtedly be seen as a lie of omission. Though it was true Valeria had no patience for lies, it was surely a safer option than spending her life on the run from a man with eyes and ears everywhere, and another who was fueled by dingens. That version of freedom would be no freedom at all. Yes, Davon would never forgive her for the egregious part she played in naming him, nor would Valera understand her lack of honesty. Their fury would not end at the return of the serpentine Slovik trumpet. Thus, it was far safer to leave the past behind and start a new damn. Okay, this is hella confusing. If y'all would just stop talking, then maybe I could think. There can't only be two options here, co Yeah, there was, in fact a third option. Chante could recover iring. Without the help of Valera, it would mean she'd have to kill Davon for real this time. But now she had the strength and training. All she needed was our planned. You gotta be playing with me. How am I going to come up with the plan? I mean, really all by myself. It was at this moment Shante realized a woman stood across the street staring at her. She took a closer look and recognized who it was. Rebecca, the girl who had first saved her from Davon and who had told her the truth about Freedom House. Rebecca was also the last person she wanted to see right now, But something told her this wasn't a coincidence. In the past, Rebecca's presence always prophesied trouble. This time would be no different. Seante would need to leave immediately to avoid additional unwanted drauma. What additional drama? Hey don't know if you remember me? I Rebecca? No? Oh, maybe I should call you Laurie. Well, if you knew that, then why you asked? I just wanted to know your preference. Girl, Leave me alone, all right, I'm not in the mood you saw me that night at City Hall with Lenny. I know you did, so what kick rocks? Okay? Oh what are your Russian friends? Are gonna chop me up if I don't? How do you know about that? You know, when Lenny told me you were an intern, I knew something was up and my curiosity got the best of me. And I'm glad you did, because I followed you here to the city and the rest wasn't hard to put together. The car you were picked up in at diplomatic plates, Russian plates at that, and the buff dudes driving you around definitely looked like a couple of lackeys, so obviously you struck gold. Damn. Okay, stalker, what are you some kind of secret agents spy? Now? I was gonna ask you the same thing. I mean, you're the one hanging with Russian diplomats and getting internships with the Oakland mayor. Okay, bitch, So what you're trying to say? So because I'm not Boogie, I can't be doing big things with my life. Come on, sis, don't do that. One day you're at Freedom House and the next day you're at city Hall and it's not adding up. Okay, you've seen the care a lot about was going on in my life that means you want something, So what do you want? Yeah? I do want something I needed Actually I knew it. What Okay, and make it quick because I got my own ship to be handled. All right. Remember the data leak that happened around the same time as the Freedom House fire, Well, dull, yeah what Well, as you know, a lot of important people were implicating in that leak, but there were others well, others that got away with some really bad shit. So way you were behind that lead. I mean you could say that, Hey, look when you were at Freedom House, did you see this guy? Think? Maybe listen, a lot of dudes look like him. Yeah, Well he's an FBI agent, corrupt as hell. We think he was a client at Freedom House. It might be connected to White burned down and right now he's trying to deport my friend because we're close to bringing him down. Listen, I don't know where you're getting your information from, but I know you're all the way off. How do you know just because you showed all your cards doesn't mean I'm to show my miss lady. As a matter of fact, I gotta go. Yeah, well he's working with your people. What. Like I said, we were close to taking this asshole down. We even trace evidence back to the building you're living in. Now. It's a crazy coincidence, I know, but it's the true. Hell No, these people don't have anything to do with Oh yeah, well, how do you know that? Even if you're right? Okay, I'm not even in the position to help you, but I just need you to get me inside, to take me there. I can handle the rest of my own. The fact that you think it's that easy just proves you're crazy. Good buck, come on, chante please, this is an act of desperation on my part. Girl, I don't beg Look, haven't you ever wanted to help a friend? Fine? All right, As a matter of fact, I do know what that is. Like, I know where the computers are. Irene has some footage from the Freedom House, you know, hitting cameras and ship. I never knew why, but I guess she has her reason. Yes see, that's exactly what I need. Thank you. Let's go hold up, okay, miss thing, Let's talk about what you're gonna do for me. All right, You're a smart cookie. Whatever you need, I got you. It's Irene. Okay. That fake asked him and his mama took her I've got to get her back before her crazy uncle finds out that she's even missing. Why would you want to help a woman who ran a brothel and exploited girls like you? Rebecca had a point, but Shante considered all the things Irene had done on her bath. She couldn't bring herself to be disloyal without Irene. Her life belonged to that bio patriarchal voice who haunted her every move. For now, she still needed her mentor you don't know her? Okay, She's the reason I'm even still alive. So it's either we have a deal or don't. It's not negotiable. All right, Fine, I'll help you find her in worry about my conscience later, but we gotta get the evidence first. Okay, great, let's go. Now, hold on, hold on, I need to call my take guy. What girl? I know you didn't think I was gonna hack this computer myself. Five minutes later, Chante and Rebecca were joined by an odd fellow called Ernie. As it turned out, Rebecca's friend was something of an unhumorous court jester. He also happened to be quite meloderous, like many other trees in his dissidence calling themselves activists. Ernie's bathing habits were questionable at best. As they entered the elevator of the condominium, Shanta held her breath to avoid inhaling his foul aroma. When they finally arrived at the top floor, she burst through the elevator doors, gasping for a breath of fresh air. Y'all need to be quick, m yes, ma'am, quick as my middle name. And you're sure there's no security? I don't want any surprises. Naturally, Shante did not admit that she had drugged the guards the night before. Furthermore, Irene assured her that it had been taken care of. Nah, okay, they had the day off. Though she said this with confidence, she couldn't know with certainty the whereabouts of the men. For all she knew, they could be waiting for her when she opened the door. Would you just shut the hell up already? Damn? Who's she talking to? I don't know you? Okay, Yes, I'm fine, Okay, it's just this man in my head. But don't worry about that. Listen, this is our place. When they entered the apartment, both Rebecca and earning gas sunlight from the massive floor to ceiling windows filled the elegant room. It was stunning. Shante had become accustomed to the remarkable refinery of her home and did not understand why the others. Hesitated, and she looked at the faces. It struck her how far she had come and how much she had to lose. Wow, okay, nice, come up? How much is a place like this go for? Three? Four milk? Do it look like I know? Okay, I'm not the one that paid for it. Now, look, are you gonna keep staring or you're gonna get the ship out of the computer staying on desk? I like it? Show me the way. She brought them into Irene's bedroom and opened the closet door. There was a large fireproof safe inside. She punched in a code and opened it. Several laptops, boxes, and trinkets were inside. Shanty took out the laptop she recognized from the Halfway House and handed it to Ernie. All right, so here it is. This is her old laptop from Freedom House. I don't know the password. Don't worry, I got it from here. We'll just be a few minutes. Okay, great, listen, I'm just gonna be right out here until you all the day. But hey, do you have any orange juice? No coffee? Do I look like room service to you? Ernie quite taking. Shante waited anxiously in the living room, Unable to sit still. She looked out the windows and double check that the halls were clear. No matter what she did, she couldn't shake the nagging feeling of uncertainty. That's when she got a terrifying message from Davon. Yo, case you forgot, I still got your little friend over here, looks say, Hie, you better tell that uncle yours that we won't have an infitty if you hurt my mama. Two cash poor the on come midnight, No motherfucking games, Because I won't hesitate you to shoot this bench on the spot, then I'm wna find your ass next to leave that Seante was out of her but it was not too late to undo the damage. She could still leave this mess behind and save herself. The door to her escape was but a few feet away, if only she would seize the chants I thought, I've told you to shut up. Listen, just shut up already, No more of your dumb ass opinions. Mind your piziness talking to that man again no, I'm talking to myself. Is that a problem? Not at all? Just had to check anyway, We're done, so that's it pretty quick, right, That's why they called me the Assange of Oakland. What Ernie, please, you know Julian Assange? Right, Wiki leaks. Don't tell me you're not familiar with this work. I know you're young, but you've got some catching up to do. Okay, listen, enough of that. Now that you got what you needed, we need to figure out how to get Irene. Davon just sent me a video and he it's not playing. Listen. We need to come up with the plan and we need to come up with the plan now. Okay, alright, come on, we'll figure it out, but not inside here. Let's just not push our Look, the devious anarchist has spoken too soon for It was at that very moment Valera entered the apartment with half a dozen security guards. He was also accompanied by a young woman from Chante recognized but could not place. Anger and disappointment was on Valera's face as he took in the scene before him. Laura, this is how you treat me after I trusted you. No, no, no, these are just my friends from work. I invited them over and guess what they were just leaving. That's a lie. This is Rebecca Cooper and this is Ernie. I don't know what his last name is, but he's a hacker and she's an activist. They're both dangerous. Pela, what is this? Why are you an ear? I'm not Beulah Savannah? And it's not so fun to be on the receiving end of a nasty surprise, is it. That's not it's not the video sunk. Take their transpensors to they well through the bed. We're not going anywhere, sweet hard I was not giving you the option. It's the obvious. Lauren did not tell you who I am. So I will try to be patient with you for a while, but you will go with artum Ilo. They too will be patient, but if you give them any trouble, they have my permission to kill you and make your remains into dust. Do you understand? Yes, sir, hear you loud and clear. I'll go make sure our guests are treated properly. Traders, bitch, who are you on the evil twin Fall of Me? Boys? With Rebecca and Ernie gone, it was now just Chantey and Valera. He stared her down without saying a word. She knew he would see through any lie. She could tell, any detail omitted. This was the moment she'd been dreading, if only she had run away when she had the opportunity. I know about you poisoning my man. No, I just gave him the crap. Y'all told me we're just vitamins. It's not like they die. Enough of the excuse us. I will deal with your leader on that matter. Where's my niece? Um? What, well, there's the problem. So we were at Alcatraz earlier in she got kidnapped in the bathroom. More lies my eadie, and I is still strown a fight to to all out such a thing to help. But it's true they drugged her. And where were you when this was happening? Why didn't you help her? I wanted to, but they were keeping her housage until you pay them. They said they were going to kill her if you don't give them two hundred and fifty dollars. You know, I don't like this they business. Who are these people? There was nothing left but to tell the truth. Seante was too afraid not to. She explained how Davon had survived being stabbed, beat and set on fire. She went into detail about his mother, Angela and how she wanted revenge. To her complete surprise, Valera laughed, Irina has been thinking by common criminals. Unbelievable. She has ruined world leaders, destroy entire movement, only to be outsmarted by a pair of pimps. Sometimes in life you must laugh at the irony of things. Come, let us find this slippery characters, are you? Are you going to kill them? Why do you ask? It's the only way. It's the only way you'll be able to get rid of them. Trust me, They'll just keep on coming back. I'll take care of this my way, and I'll be trusting you for nothing. Chantey couldn't read the expression on Valeria's face as he said this. He was impenetrable. His words were ambiguous enough to be both meaningless and fearsome. Unsure of what the near future held for her, she followed him and his men out of the apartment. As they entered the freight elevator and descended into the darkness, Chanty became certain that only more horror awaited her. In the next chapter of this unending saga,
