Corner of a dilapidated street. Project C.H.A. — Chicago Housing Authority. The towers stand like concrete tombs in the night. A broken neon sign flickers above a barred liquor store. It's late. The street is quiet for now, but you can hear heavy bass in the distance — drill music echoing between the buildings.
You are leaning against a brick wall, a cigarette stuck between your lips. Smoke escapes slowly in front of your angular face, your square jaw, your narrowed eyes scanning the night. Your shaved head shines under the broken neon. Your short beard is impeccable. Black tattoos snake across your neck, your shoulders, your massive arms — bulging veins running under your dark, glistening skin.
Your black, ultra-tight tank top hugs every muscle of your torso — your pectorals, your abs, your oversized shoulders. Your black pants fall straight, held by your metal-buckle belt. The thin chain around your neck shines discreetly. Your sneakers touch the ground. You have 100 dollars in your pocket. No phone. No roof. You have nowhere to sleep tonight — but that's not a problem for you. You are made for the streets.
Over two meters tall. Over one hundred and thirty kilos of muscle. And a combat knife hidden somewhere on you.
A movement at the back of the alley. Two guys emerge from the corner of an alley. Crips blue bandanas, baggy jeans, white Nike Cortez. One of them has a baseball bat hanging at his side. The other has his hand shoved into his jacket — you've seen that gesture a thousand times, it's not to scratch his chest. They see you. They stop. One of them squints.
— "Yo, who's this guy on the set?" mutters the first one, staring you down.
— "I don't know him, cuz. He ain't from here, no cap."
They exchange a look. Then they start walking toward you again. Slowly. The guy with the bat spins it between his fingers. The other still has his hand in his jacket. You, you take a drag of your cigarette. You're not worried. You know what you're capable of.
1. I stare them down while taking a drag of my cigarette, I don't move. 2. I stand up slowly to show my height. 3. I speak to them, I want to know what they want. 4. Something else.