SEVERANCE

There we were. All four of us at the same diner where we used to hang out after school not too long ago. Some good memories here.

“So jesse...what’s the deal dude? Why did you call us here?” It was Combo.

“Yeah what’s the big deal Jesse?” Badger echoed Combo’s sentiment. Skinny Pete looked on as he chewed on his chicken wing.

*Heavy Breaths*

“The cops are onto us.” I say quietly. I overdid it because they looked like they were having a panic attack.

“Whoa what the fuck what do you mean-” Combo started panicking but I cut him off before he could make a scene.

“Don’t worry they don’t know about you but they want to know about this blue meth that’s flooding their neighbourhood. I mean it’s only natural-”

“Yo what do you mean by the cops? What the fuck Jesse?” Badger chirped anxiously.

“Don’t worry about it you guys...that’s why I called this meeting Yo chill. I’m your homeboy. I don't want to put you guys in danger.”

Well that was partly the reason for doing this but the main one was to bury my past as a drug dealer into the abyss.

“I’m here to make you an offer.”

Their panicked faces calmed as they saw my calm demeanour.

“I’m getting out of the business and if you want I could hook you up with Heisenberg or…..”

“Or what? Damn Jesse, stop being so theatrical dude!” Skinny Pete chided me from the side, still busy with that chicken wing.

“Or I’ll pay you 20 G’s up front but you can’t ever associate with this kind of shit ever again. All the DEA needs is one of us to flip and we’re doing life. So I’ll pay you 20 G’s each as severance pay.”

The words 20 Gs were very powerful to your average meth user. Their eyes started to shine when they understood that they would get paid for doing no work. Of course this was obviously the choice they should take and it would help hedge my position better. I was no fool though, I knew that if things got desperate enough they would go back selling whatever they could get their hands on. They might even throw me under the bus. Even if they did, I’ll have eventually distanced myself and cleaned all the money it would be impossible to charge me with any wrongdoing. Still, I wanted to avoid that scenario.

“Yo, isn't that gonna set you back?” Skinny Pete, for once throughout this conversation, he stopped eating his chicken wings and looked concerned for my well being.

“Yeah but I want you guys to be solid. I did recruit you guys after all...but we need to cover our asses before the DEA uncovers the entire thing.”

“Shit that’s all you had to say homes.” Badger looked convinced. The other two nodded thoughtfully.

“Good. Cuz I’m not going to prison. No fucking way!” I laughed as I pulled three envelopes from my oversized hoodie. I had their names written on it and everything. By the looks of it, they loved that shit. It brought a sense of legitimacy to the whole thing.

“Holy hell that’s cool...it’s like we’re [turns head to see if anyone is listening] in the mob or something.” Badger said with glee.

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It’s good that they took the money. I had another million dollars left at home so I had more than enough for myself. This was partly to ease that guilt and also help cover my ass.

It also would also help get them on their feet.

.

.

.

.

Oh who was I kidding, they were going to smoke it all away. But still, I felt like I owed them at least 20 grand.

“So….Heisenberg is still selling?” Combo asked after pocketing the money. Of course it was Combo, Combo was always the ambitious one.

“Yeah but he won’t stay for long….and besides I’m pretty sure he’ll be out of the 505 soon enough.”

“and where will he go next?” Combo asked without hesitation.

“Probably Mexico. He’s well connected to some gnarly guys.”

Christian ‘Combo’ Ortega had a glint in his eyes, he sensed an opportunity, I suppose. I wouldn’t blame him if he asked me to introduce him. Alas, the entire thing was a ruse. Like one of those old video games with multiple choices all leading to the same ending. It doesn’t matter what he decided here, I would just make up some bullshit reason why Heisenberg couldn’t meet up with him.

So why give him the choice, you might ask?

Well the most powerful form of manipulation is when your victims don’t know that they’re being manipulated. Like those old video games we’re so nostalgic about.

“So Combo what’s it going to be? You want me to introduce you to Heisenberg? If you do, then I want my money back.”

He held onto it tightly as soon as I mentioned the money.

He looked at the table for some time thinking hard.

I called for the cheque while he was contemplating his future life. Maybe he thought about the potential action filled life full of riches and hot babes. Unfortunately for him he really didn’t have a choice. I’m not stupid enough to link him with Mr.White. That’s begging for trouble.

I tipped the lady well and excused myself to use the restroom. He was thinking too long.

When I came back he still looked undecided but with the urging of Skinny Pete and Badger he finally came to a decision.

“So what’s it going to be?”

“…..I’ll take the money.”

___________________________________________________________________________________

It was good that Combo decided to take the money route. Even if I introduced him to Mr. White, it’s unlikely he would have any use for a witless part time criminal. I was doing him a favour really. If he was in the game he would just end up getting killed.

“He’ll see you now.” Saul Goodman’s receptionist lady told me.

I got up and entered his office.

“Hey there kiddo, good to see you.”

Guess he used Mike to learn everything about me. That would explain why he’s so friendly all of a sudden. Before I was an unknown quantity, a potential hardened criminal who could have him killed but now… now he knows that I’m just a druggie who works with his chemistry teacher to cook meth. The facade had to break eventually.

I put the bag on his desk and said, “Your money.”

He graciously took the bag from the desk and stored it in his mini safe behind the chair.

“You know I think this is the start of a wonderful business relationship-”

“It’s not. We’ll never see each other's face ever again.”

“Woah...hey buddy...I mean….” He stopped speaking when he saw the look on my face.

“Woah….really? You just made a million dollars and you want to get out now….I mean a million dollars is a million dollars but inflation is a bitch. In a year or two that million is not going to be as much as you think-”

“I’m good.”

I started to turn back to leave.

“Woah wait up buddy! Before you leave...I just had some questions.”

I knew this was coming.

“Your partner-”

“I’m pretty sure you know his identity already. You look like a man with a lot of connections. If you want to deal with him then do it yourself. That’s none of my business. Don’t involve me.”

“Wait. How about an introduction. It’s the least you can do-”

“No. Sorry, you’re on your own.”

“Wait……” He paused.

“What is it? I have things to do-”

“Can you at least tell me why you want out so badly?” He looked distressed for once. I guess there was a part of him that didn’t understand why I was leaving so quickly after making an easy million.

“Mr. Goodman, I know you’re not gonna listen to me but I’ll say this: Turn back before you get sucked in. Some roads don’t lead to good places and most of those roads go one way. No coming back once you’re deep enough.”

He looked stunned but then he regained his marbles and joked, “Man, that was eloquent...for a meth head, I mean.”

He regretted saying that because I could see a flash of fear cross his eyes for a second. I could give him a good scare if I wanted to but it wasn’t worth it.

Hey at least I tried saving ole Slippin Jimmy.

I shrugged and exited his office.

This was it! I was out. I had a million dollars and I successfully got out before anything could go wrong.

I had a million dollars stashed at my home but the only thing I wanted to do was go back and have some ice cream with Jane.

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