I'm a Fair Man

Black Bear was a burly man nearly two meters tall. He wore a black suit, and a huge gold chain that must have weighed three pounds hung around his neck.

Hunched over, Black Bear greeted Alvin with a smile before he even spoke. "Hello, Boss Alvin. I'm Black Bear. My boss is Bloody Jensen, here in Big Apple City."

Alvin ignored the infamous drug dealer and waved him aside like he was shooing away Flies. You're a drug dealer, and I'm a school principal. If I acknowledged you, wouldn't that make me look like I had no class?

Black Bear didn't lose his temper. A fierce glint flashed in his eyes as he stepped aside, revealing the people behind him.

Alvin took a puff of his Cigar, rolled the smoke around in his mouth, then blew it out. In his previous life, he'd been a heavy smoker and hadn't quit even after having a child.

He'd lost his craving for cigarettes in this life, but he'd developed a taste for the rich flavor of cigars. He just usually didn't smoke in his Restaurant. But since he was about to negotiate, he naturally had to light one up. His clothes might not be fancy enough, but he could make up for it with a Boss's air.

Blowing a stream of smoke, Alvin looked amiably at the group of oddly dressed Gang members before him. "May I ask which of you is James Lancer from 58th Street? Hmm, what was the name of the Gang again?"

Alvin glanced at JJ beside him. JJ immediately said softly, "ZL Gang."

"Oh, the Boss of the ZL Gang. Are you here?"

A young white man who looked like a severe drug addict, his green hair styled in a bizarre punk fashion, nervously stepped forward. "Boss Alvin, hello. I-I'm James Lancer. You can just call me James."

Alvin handed his Cigar to JJ, then fought back his disgust and warmly shook James's hand. "Hello. I'm Alvin Ye, the Principal of the Community School. One of your men was injured at the school.

"My daughter caused it, and we gave him initial treatment. It's nothing serious.

"But out of guilt, I, as her father, have decided to offer some compensation. I think U.S. $2,000 is a reasonable amount. What do you think?"

James felt like he was about to piss himself. The drug dealers of Hell's Kitchen were wholesalers, and even their Boss treated Alvin with respect and deference. Alvin hadn't even acknowledged Black Bear, but he was speaking to James so amiably. James instinctively sensed that something bad was going to happen.

Terrified, James refused. "N-no, no, no, Boss Alvin. My man made a mistake. You can punish him however you like. A little injury is nothing. You could even cut off one of his arms, and I wouldn't say a word. There's no need for compensation. Really, there's no need."

Jason, sitting on a chair by the door, stared at his Boss in disbelief. He'd just been sold out so casually. In despair, he forgot Thor's threat and cried out, "Boss James!"

James pretended not to hear Jason. He hadn't taken any drugs, so his mind was still fairly clear. He could only look at Alvin pleadingly, hoping Alvin would let him off.

Alvin pulled a wet wipe from his pocket and cleaned his right hand after shaking James's. He tossed the wipe into the trash, took the Cigar JJ offered him, and drew a puff.

Cigar smoke curled between Alvin and James. Ignoring James's panic, Alvin said amiably, "Don't misunderstand. I'm not trying to give you a hard time. My daughter injured your man, so I'll pay for it. That's only fair. I'm a fair man."

Alvin took the $2,000 JJ handed him, all in hundred-dollar bills. He folded the money in half and tucked it into the breast pocket of James's shirt. Then, with almost compulsive care, he straightened James's rumpled collar and patted the pocket where he'd put the money. "See? It's all settled. Wouldn't you agree?"

James, completely bewildered by Alvin, mechanically nodded. "Yes, sir. It's settled."

Alvin smiled kindly. "You see? I knew we'd reach an agreement easily. You're a reasonable man. I'm sorry for my daughter's mistake, and I've paid compensation. That's right, isn't it?"

"That's right, that's right. It's settled. It's all settled," James answered in a panic.

Alvin nodded. "Good. Then let's talk about Mr. Jason."

He pointed at Jason, slumped in his chair as if all the bones had been pulled from his body. "Mr. Jason pushed over Mrs. Wilson, a highly respected sixty-five-year-old teacher, at school.

"It wasn't a big deal. Professor Wilson even asked me to let Mr. Jason off without punishment. But Mr. Jason spoke rudely to me and insulted Mrs. Wilson again.

"Personally, I don't think Mr. Jason's abilities and character are suited to your, uh... ZL Gang. What do you think?"

James, already terrified out of his mind, hurriedly nodded. "That's right, that's right. As of now, Jason is no longer a member of the ZL Gang. He has nothing to do with us anymore. You can do whatever you like with him, sir.

"I have no objections. Please let me go, sir. I knew nothing about what he did at the school."

Alvin looked at Jason, who had completely lost his spirit, then at James, who was on the verge of breaking down. He took a puff of his Cigar and said, "Well, goodbye!"

James felt as if he'd been granted a new lease on life. He didn't even bother with his meal ticket, Black Bear. He scrambled into his car and sped away.

Alvin touched his face and asked JJ, "Am I really that scary?"

JJ's eyelid twitched. "One of the guys who ran off was the kid who snuck into the Restaurant earlier. When he left, I heard him muttering something about Meat Grinder and Cesare."

JJ thought for a moment, then said, "Boss, if something comes up in the future, you can send me to handle it. You don't have to be so ruthless. Really, it doesn't suit your position!"

Alvin nearly spat out a mouthful of blood. He'd thought that by speaking like Marlon Brando's Godfather, he'd almost scared James half to death.

So it had been a damn misunderstanding. He might even end up taking the blame for it. Of course, no one would come looking for revenge, since they were all dead. But this had given Alvin the wrong idea about how intimidating he was. That was just too awkward.

He coughed awkwardly twice and beckoned Black Bear over.

Black Bear still seemed very deferential. He obediently walked up to Alvin and said, "Boss Alvin, now that everything's settled, is there anything else you need?"

Alvin smiled. "Don't call me Boss. I'm speaking to you in my capacity as a school principal." Seeing that Black Bear didn't quite believe him, he stressed, "I'm serious. Hell's Kitchen Community School. I have a certificate!"

Black Bear found Alvin's words amusing. The de facto ruler of three blocks insisted on calling himself a principal. Playing along, he asked, "Then what can I do for you, Principal?"

Alvin was pleased with Black Bear's attitude and smiled. "I'm a principal, so I have to take responsibility for my students. Our school has a rule that students aren't allowed to participate in the drug trade.

"So I asked you here today, Boss Black Bear, to have you thoroughly check your Gang members and see whether any of them are students at our school or underage kids."

Black Bear's eyes narrowed, and his face stiffened. He said in a low voice, "I've never heard of the Community School having that rule."

"It does now. Remember, I'm the Principal," Alvin said with a light laugh.

Black Bear sneered. "You're overstepping, Alvin Ye. Neither I nor my Boss, Bloody Jensen, will agree to your ridiculous proposal."

He glanced at JJ behind Alvin and sneered. "Or do you want a war? Our Viper Gang isn't a bunch of weaklings like Kingpin. A lot of people will die in Hell's Kitchen."