Five
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CHAPTER FIVE
The sun was already warming the day as Eddie and Bill loaded the jail bars and machinery into Eddie’ s truck. October in Houston meant anything from frost on the pumpkin to a day at the beach.“ Thank God for air conditioning,” Eddie said, as they secured the load. Sweat soaked his shirt, shorts, and socks.“ I need a beer and it’ s nine o’ clock.”“ I’ ve got a fridge full of icy cold long-necks,” Bill offered.“ Yes, I know. The perks of working for Budweiser. After this show is over I plan on taking you up on that.” Bill mentioned,“ I am having a party tonight if you’ re not exhausted come in your costume.” Bill climbed into the passenger seat of Eddie’ s F-250, looked over, and challenged,“ that is only if you’ re young enough to hang with the real party-ers of our hood.”
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Pulling up to the sprawling single story structure, they unloaded and hauled in a few panels of black painted bars. Their footsteps echoed in the empty hallway. The sound bounced off the rows of beige metal lockers that lined both sides of the halls. Banners announcing the Halloween festival were strung above the seemingly endless rows of lockers, that were punctuated only by the deep set doors of the classrooms. Eddie was thrilled as they walked into the designated room. The walls had been lined with painted canvas panels. The impossibly huge cinder blocks had one tiny barred window painted high in the center of the back wall. They set the bars on the floor and turned to get another load.
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Their exit was blocked.“ Yo. Wat-choo lookin’ at white boy! You da one thinks he gonna put my black ass behind bars?” growled a snarled face glaring down at Eddie. Frank stepped around from behind the towering hulk man.“ Meet Rodney, he is one of my associate property managers and ex-middle linebacker for Rice University,” Frank said, as a smile spread across Rodney’ s face.“ You must be Eddie. I was told I’ d have to audition for the convict role. Pleased to make your acquaintance,” Rodney said, extending a huge paw, engulfing Eddie’ s hand. Eddie began to breathe again.“ Frank, I had forgotten you had mentioned someone perfect for the part. I pictured insane and maniacal. This is so much better.” Eddie confessed.
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The dark eyes of the huge man rolled back into his head showing only white.” Run that play my way!” his voice boomed and a deep crazy laugh bellowed.“ Rodney you have the part. That was a hell of an audition,” Eddie laughed and introduced Bill.“ What can I do to help?” Rodney asked.“ We need to haul the rest of your jail set and show you what we planned,” Eddie said.“ Cool. Let’ s go!” he said, moving amazingly fast and light for such a big man. Eddie chased after him.“ I take it you still work out,” Eddie panted, as he caught up.“ I can still bench four-fifty... If I am trying to impress someone,” Rodney said, showing he wore no wedding ring.
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Bill and Frank emerged a short while later and joined the pair already unloading more jailhouse bars. Rodney scooped up most of them and headed for the entrance.“ I realized we hadn’ t given much thought to security. I don’ t think that’ s an issue anymore,” Eddie said. Rodney and Frank exchanged a glance.“ You can come by my place for a party with Eddie afterward if you feel like bouncing a few drunks and having a few beers,” Bill said, holding the door for Rodney.“ The beer, I might take you up on. But it’ s funny when I show up to parties, no one seems to get out of line. Go figure,” he bragged.
The preparation of the jail cell was taken over by Bill and Rodney. Frank and Eddie began arranging rocks and trees in the next room. Kate arrived carrying the lights for her display.