United States Of Apocalypse Read Online Free PDF Page B

looking guy.”
    “It’s more than that. The only people afraid of cops are the guilty.”
    “See, that’s where you’re wrong. That’s just your jaded view of the world. You guys think everyone is guilty, and you give off that vibe. Can you stop dragging me around and give me a drink?”
    “Yeah, yeah, sorry,” he said, though the majority of his attention was still on the cart vendor, who was now on a cell phone, still checking his watch.
    Mike looked to see what the cop was looking at. “Tell you what, just let me go, and then you can harass him in peace.”
    “Fat chance.”
    “Come on, Officer, I’m going to get time for this.”
    “About time, too. Your shifty lawyer has been getting your ass off the hook far too often.”
    “He’s court appointed, and I don’t think Jerry Flendon is what you’d call a top-notch defense attorney. Tough to trust a man who can’t even remember your name. Do you know one time he advised me to start drooling so I could get a plea of insanity for my “murder” charge? Shit! I was actually in there for selling hot phones. How the hell did I know the phones were hot?”
    “Maybe a little time will do you right. And don’t give me that crap. Benny the Loon hands you a crate of iPhones and tells you to sell them for fifty bucks a pop and you don’t see a problem?”
    “I saw an opportunity.”
    “Well, now you get to see bars.”
    “Come on man, I’m too pretty for jail.”
    “Maybe you should have thought about that before you did all the stupid shit you did.”
    Mike got serious. “I’m just trying to survive, man. Place to stay, something to eat. That’s all I’m trying to do. I don’t hurt no one. I sold those phones to folks who probably couldn’t afford them normally, and I take small bets. Wow, it’s a good thing you got me off the streets; the world’s a safer place.”
    “I don’t make the laws, Mike. Personally, I don’t give a shit about the phones or the betting. Hell, I’ve done some myself. The law is the law. You seem smarter than your average criminal. Use the time in lockup, get some education, read a little. It won’t be hard time; Rikers has some quality programs if you get involved. Maybe get back in touch with your family. They miss you.”
    “How the hell do you know what my folks think?”
    “You’re on my case load. I’ve been keeping in touch with them to see if you’ve checked in or not. They’re concerned.”
    “Really?”
    “Yeah, really.”
    “Even my mother?”
    There was a pregnant pause as Officer Tynes thought about it. “Well, perhaps most of the apprehension is on your father’s side, but she cares as well.”
    “Weird. How much time am I looking at?”
    “With your propensity for getting in trouble, I’m thinking eighteen months.”
    “Whoa, whoa, whoa. Eighteen months? I’ll be twenty-six when I get out.”
    “It’s not like your life is going to be over.”
    “Says the cop who will still be walking around, eating cheeseburgers and french fries while I’m eating gruel.”
    “This isn’t the 1700s and you’re not a London orphan. Now stop talking and I’ll pour some water into your mouth.”
    Mike’s mouth, which had already been arid, was now a barren wasteland as he thought of his impending incarceration. He took great swallows as the cool water cascaded down his throat. “Hey, what the hell?” Mike asked, as the fluid began to pour down his chin and onto his chest while Officer Tynes turned and inadvertently moved his hand.
    “Where’d the cart go?” he asked.
    “Getting soaked here.”
    “Oh yeah, sorry.” He tipped the bottle back up. “Did you see where he went?”
    “Who gives a shit? Maybe it’s prayer time or there’s a better corner to work. One without cops dragging prisoners around. I’m sure we don’t do any wonders for his business.”
    “There was something about him I didn’t like.”
    “Shocker. A cop not liking somebody.”
    “Come on, wise ass. I’ve got a