Chapter 6: Maximum capacity (Part 1)

"Could care less what you're reppin', yo its what next kid, your style's expired, long past due like books due back at the library, too bad you can't read either, nevertheless sign language..." Robot gives his competitor the finger. Danny and I look at each other at the same time intrigued by the progress its made. The crowd reacts strongly.

The host steps in, "Whoa whoa my man with the raps like steel. That's time, that's time." His competitor looked pissed. He brought about 10 of his personal goons with him and they were scattered throughout the crowd. The place was just outside of the college town. The place where you're driving and the scene outside the window takes a turn for the real. The place was a bit smokey but charming nevertheless. There was green lasers illuminating the back of the club.  It was packed too and probably over maximum capacity. You could still move throughout the room but it took awhile to negotiate your way through the crowd. 

The host had the room just on the edge of chaos, "Okay let me hear it for my man 'steel raps' over here", the crowd went crazy. " Alright, alright, alright...now for my man 'Lord Cyrus'" He put his hand over the competitor. He stepped towards the stage right in front of the judges for intimidation, no doubt. The crowd went equally crazy for Lord Cyrus. He had won the last 5 rap battles and each was a $1,000 grand prize. Small potatoes, but still potatoes. 

Lord Cyrus was in his element and knew very well the whole routine except for one thing,  'Steel Raps' was on the other side and didn't take his eyes off of him the whole time he was up to his shenanigans. His confidence was shook. Danny saw it too. The only time 'steel raps' took his eyes off the competitor was to look at me, to which I just gave a nod of approval. 

"Okay one final round to decide the winner, 30 seconds for each of ya, remember, winner takes all, $1,000 in cash and a chance to make a record at the world famous 'Down n' Out Studios. Yo deejay, drop that motha fuckin' beaaaaaat!"

ba-ba-bum...ksshh...ba-ba-bum...ksshh...

The place was electric. Steel Raps was just about to start. I turned to see Danny's reaction but he was gone. most likely headed to the bar to get one last drink before the last battle started. I felt Danny sticking his finger into my back. 

"Danny, took you long enough..." The finger in my back pushed harder.

"Sorry kid, Danny ain't coming back with no fucking drinks." This was one of Lord Cyrus' goons and this wasn't a finger in my back but a small handgun. "You wan' see your boy again, you tell your man to lose the battle, now" He squeezed out the last word with his teeth clenched. no wonder this dude won the last 5 battles.