by King, Deja
It seemed like the more they hit a lick the wiser and slicker they became. Their hearts were cold and none of them thought twice about leaving the victim dead once it was done. Semaj had turned off her emotions a long time ago and detached herself from feeling sympathy. The only agenda was money, and the payoff was all they were focused on. Some may consider it cold-blooded, but Semaj was just on a paper chase. This was her grind and how she ate. It paid the bills and she treated her hustle seriously. Just like a person who worked a nine to five, this was her full time gig.
One thing Semaj wasn’t built for was the murder game though. Her heart was hardened, but she knew she couldn’t indulge in an actual killing. She could watch a nigga get murked right before her eyes, but it was a different story if it meant her pulling the trigger herself.
That’s what set her apart from Paris—because Paris killed as if she was placed on earth to murder. She was the product of a mother/ father homicide-suicide. Her father had killed her mother in front of her and then turned the gun on himself. Paris was never the same after that fatal day.
Semaj had also found out that Paris was a snort head, but she wasn’t a messy one. The thing that had Semaj livid though was that Paris turned her auntie on, and Tala was getting sloppy with it. Instead of being an occasional social user, Tala was snorting the shit almost daily.
Semaj tried to urge her to stop but when Tala was set on something nobody could tell her otherwise. When Semaj tried to confront her auntie about her frequent drug use, she snapped on her and Semaj was done with it.
“Semaj. I’ma grown ass woman and I raised you. You don’t tell me what I should and shouldn’t do. You act like I’m addicted to this or some shit. It’s just something to do for fun. Leave me the fuck alone. Do you and let me do me. Damn!”
“Fuck it then! That’s on your dumb ass,” Semaj said and vowed to never say anything else about it.
As she stood in her large walk-in closet, Semaj chose to wear a comfortable white strapless knee-length sundress, an oversized pair of designer shades and jeweled sandals. She pulled her hair off of her face in a neatly loose high ponytail. After locking up and grabbing her handbag, she headed out. She was ready to get her shoe shopping on at her favorite store, Gucci.
Semaj walked into the flagship store and felt like she was in shoe heaven. The sales associates immediately flocked to her as she was a regular. As she breezed through the store, She decided to buy two pair of stilettos, a pair of flat sandals and some sneakers. A pair of loafers caught her eyes so she got them too. She debated on the two thousand dollar handbag, but elected against it. She had one almost similar, and the price was way too high for the simplicity of the bag.
“I see somebody shoe shoppin’ today,” a voice behind her stated. Receiving her change from the salesman, Semaj spun on her heels and smiled when she recognized the familiar face. “Yes. Everyone knows that a girl’s shoe game must be on point,” she beamed.
“How you been?” Quasim asked. “You are the hardest woman to catch up with. You stop answering my calls and everything. You making me feel like I’m an ugly nigga or some shit.”
She blushed, surprised that he was still checking for her. It had been months since their date and even though he hadn’t spoken to her in forever she thought of him all the time. But her life had been hectic, and she was committed to the hustle and a man was the last of her concerns. “Now you know you need to quit that. You’re really making me feel bad. I’ve just been crazy busy that’s all,” she replied. “What up, though?”
“Shopping for my li’l brother some school clothes,” he said. “Can you help me out? This li’l dude need’s a woman’s touch to get him straight.”
“Of course,” she agreed. Semaj thought she was shopping as if she was a rich bitch, but when she saw how Quasim was doing it, it made her look like a lightweight in the game. From store to store, she picked out things for his brother and he purchased items without being distracted from his cell phone. While he handled business, Semaj tore down the high-end designer stores. She grabbed everything from clothing to shoes and games sparing no expense. Every time he whipped out the Black Card to foot the bill, she wondered how he made his money. Semaj was impressed at how he handled things and also surprised as she listened to him discussing business ventures sounding like a Wall Street stock broker. Semaj knew that Quasim was her dream man.
“Dang, you were definitely caught up in your phone conversations leaving it all up to me,” Semaj said as he finally ended his call.
“Sorry about that. Business just gets kinda crazy,” he said stepping close to her. “Tell you what. I wanna make it up to you. I’m having a party at my cabin next weekend to celebrate this new project that’s underway. It’ll be fun and it will give you a chance to meet my crew. I can see if you fit in. And if I really like being around you,” he smirked.
“Well damn! Aren’t we blunt? How you know I wasn’t thinking the same thing?” she asked, slightly offended.
“Seriously though, I want us to get to know each other. Is that fair?” he asked with a charming smile.
“Yeah that’s fair. So I guess I’ll be there,” Semaj said as she reached up to hug him. She walked away, letting the natural sway of her ass hypnotize him. I think he wants me, She thought smugly, knowing that she didn’t want a relationship at this time in her life but it surely felt good to have someone she was interested in paying her some attention.
Quasim sat discussing the issues they were facing with his latest business venture. The screenplay was well written by Jah-Jah the screenwriter, but the dilemma was coming from finding a leading lady for the starring role. The filming date was set to start in just under a month, and they were no closer to finding their star. Quasim was irritated because they had auditioned over fifty females and none fit the part. “Can’t we just call and get Megan Goode? This shit just ain’t working. She the last actress I can think of that fits in the age range we need. We done went through damn near everybody and even the highly trained actresses ain’t delivering what we want.”
“I spoke to her manager but she’s in the middle of filming right now,” Al-B, Quasim’s childhood best friend and business partner said. Quasim was the financial backer and Al-B was the brains, which made for the perfect combination. Al-B was the film producer for the movie, and the one who had the major connection with Christopher Cunningham, who had acquired the motion picture deal. Christopher was a well sought after director in the film industry, and had worked with many big names.
Quasim and Al-B had a few independent films out under their production company, Street Life Entertainment and the two-year old company was surprisingly beginning to get off the ground. Quasim believed in his man and didn’t hesitate when he came to him with his vision that could make them both rich… as for Quasim, richer. He had invested from the door. They felt this was the big one though, and wanted no mistakes.
“Yes, we really need to find somebody immediately. Time is of the essence. I’m not trying to have this project delayed,” Christopher told them.
“I see it like this: It’s simple. We re going to have to do an open casting call this weekend for some raw, unknown talent. It’s a lot of stars out there just waiting to be discovered and we have to find the one for this role,” Quasim said as he rose from his chair and walked over to the large window. Crossing his arms, he looked down at the busy New York streets as he stood in deep thought.
“No doubt. We need a young lady that has that same fire that Mary J. Blige had when she first hit the scene with that ‘Real Love’. The music world had never seen a female singer like that. She was hip hop, soul and street all in one. But we need an actress that’s giving that same passion but on the big screen,” Al-B stated.
“I know exactly what you mean. This might not work but at this point it’s worth a try. There might be a young lady that can bring this character to life. She definitely got the attitude but I’m not sure if she has the acting skills,” Quasim admitted wantin
g to be cautious.
“Who is she?” Jah-Jah asked as everyone waited on his response. “Bad li’l broad I was talkin’ to at the charity event. You ‘member
her, Mike-Mike?”
“Oh yeah, shorty was bad and had that urban swag we need.” “Get her on the phone. She can audition right now. We need
the lead role filled as soon as possible and you better hope she’s what we’re looking for. If not, shooting would be pushed back to a later date indefinitely,” Chris told both Quasim and Al-B.
Semaj was counting big faces and wrapping them in rubber
banded bundles as she heard her phone ringing. Her father had just dropped the money off to Paris’ apartment. It was from their latest hit, which was on one of the guy’s Paris used to date out of Baltimore, Maryland.
While Semaj and Paris were counting money, Tala was on a date with their next potential victim. To Semaj’s surprise, Tala was going hard and hipping them on some low key but big time hustlers. She also knew where their stash was at too.
“Hey there,” Semaj said answering the phone cheerfully. “I’m surprised to hear from you since the trip isn’t until next week. Oh, wait… let me guess… you’re calling to cancel?”
“Never that,” Quasim chuckled. “You’re silly…that’s cute. But ummm…I was calling ‘cause I need a huge favor from you. It’s serious.” “A serious favor?” Semaj asked. “I don’t even know you like that to be doing favors.”
“It could be beneficial for me and you,” he replied. “Oh, really?”
“On some fo’real shit, I have a role I might need you to play.” Semaj immediately assumed he wanted her to set up a nigga for
him. “Oh, that’s cool. What do I get out of the deal?”
“You don’t even know what role I’m talkin’ about.” Quasim said. “If it’s paying then I’m with it.”
“Okay, I see you about your money,” Quasim laughed lightly. “But first you gotta come down here and audition to see if you’re the right fit for the part.”
“Audition?” she asked in confusion.
“Yeah. Me and my peoples are finna start shooting this movie and we got every role filled except for the leading lady. What you thought I was talkin’ ‘bout?”
“Fuck outta here!” she shouted in excitement. Semaj didn’t know if it was a low budget film or what, but truthfully, she didn’t give a damn. “First, do that shit pay?” In truth, She didn’t care she needed the exposure and experience.
“I wouldn’t ask you to do nothing free for me. You should never do a thing if it doesn’t benefit you.”
“Where do I come? I’m on my way!” she said barely able to contain her excitement.
When they pulled up, luxury rides were lined up in front of the building. It resembled a car show instead of a place of business. Quasim had met them downstairs and they headed up to the 32nd floor, and entered a vast lounge-styled room. The way Semaj’s designer jeans hugged her wide hips had the dudes drooling. She was dressed simple, but captured attention unintentionally. She rocked a white V-neck, a pair of Mauri kicks and large superstar sunglasses perched on her head. She had a distinctive look about her and a style of her own.
Semaj smiled as she waved at all the men and the one woman that was in the room. Her mind was so far in the distance that she didn’t notice the man sitting at the desk staring at her intently.
“Where I know you from?” The man’s question had everyone in the room’s attention, and they all turned their direction towards Semaj. “I have no clue,” she replied as her heartbeat became erratic.
She searched her memory bank on where the man could’ve possibly recognized her from.
“Hell nah! I know exactly where I know you from! I was tryin’ to give you this part, months ago. And you thought I was bullshitting. You’re the young lady from that acting school where Ms. Porter teaches. Qua, that’s the one we saw performing that play Romeo and Juliet. That’s her. She the truth. True story, y’all.”
“That’s you?” Quasim asked surprised. “You was tight in that role.”
“You thought I was selling you dreams, huh?” Al-B asked and laughed.
“I mean, yeah. Know how many dudes will sell a chick a dream just to holler at her?” The room fell into an abundance of laughter.
“You been in reach all this time and I ain’t have a clue. Let’s get down to business.”
“Great. She’s here now and all we have to see is if she can deliver,” Chris said, handing her the script.
After grabbing the paper, Semaj walked into the hallway to look it over. Reading the role first, she learned that her character was a girl from the ghetto who lost her parents due to an assassination by the government. This lead her to becoming an orphan and once she turned eighteen she was determined to murder everyone responsible for her parents’ death. She was willing to do any and everything to seek revenge and had with a very shocking ending. The setting was placed in Washington, DC and the film was titled Murderess in DC. Semaj read over the ten required lines and memorized them in under twenty minutes.
Taking a deep breath, she sighed, anxious and excited all at the same time as she made her way back into the room. She was no longer Semaj Richardson. She transformed into her character, Nina Simone Brown. The way she brought the character to life flowed as if she was actually born Ms. Brown. Her own suffering and heartache during her childhood made it all too real for her. It gave her the creditability to land the role and potentially becoming a star. The decision of if she had gotten the part was unquestionable by the looks on each of their faces.
“I knew you would be the perfect girl,” Al-B said breaking the silence.
“Yeah, you the truth. You kept that shit gangster and I can’t see nobody playing the part but you,” Jah-Jah said as Semaj prepared to leave. “I’m glad the casting is over,” she smiled with excitement.
“Me too,” Quasim added. “You out of here, Jah?”
“Yeah, I’m already late for this appointment in midtown.” “A’ight, I’ll speak to you later on.” Quasim turned to face Semaj.
“Damn! I never knew you were the one I saw when I was up at that school. This shit crazy. It’s amazing how things always come full circle.” Semaj now remembered him the day he was leaving out of the auditorium. She blushed, knowing that this was destiny bringing her dreams to life. Maybe this could finally be it, she thought gratefully. “This is too crazy.”
“But umm, is you gon’ even have enough time for shooting and things like that, Maj?” Paris questioned, interrupting Quasim’s and Semaj’s conversation.
“Why wouldn’t she?” Al-B inquired. “If she don’t I’m sure she’d make time. She has a lot of potential and I knew that from the first time I saw her performing. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity, I doubt Semaj is going to blow it.”
“Damn straight I’m not! I’ll make this work, I promise you.” There was no way Semaj would turn this down, though it all seemed so unreal. She could hear her mother’s voice in her head: You said you were going to Hollywood to be an actress one day. And this is where you’ll get that legit dough, baby girl. This is the hustle that I never had a chance to get, but you gettin’ it so you better take it for all it’s worth.
“Well, filming starts May 1st. My assistant will call you tomorrow
morning to go over the paperwork,” Al-B smiled and walked out. “This is big, Paris! I can’t believe I’m finna be in a motion picture.
If this is a dream, I hope I never wake up from it,” Semaj gushed with happy butterflies in her stomach. She grabbed her phone from her bag and called everybody she knew to inform them that she would be starring in a major motion picture not no straight to DVD shit, although she would’ve taken that too.
Semaj still wasn’t one hundred percent comfortable with Quasim coming to her residence, so she opted to have him pick her up from her father’s brownstone. She sat on the stoop with her father as they shared a blunt filled with cush. It was during these tim
es her father would keep it a hundred with Semaj, schooling her on her advantage over men and how to survive in the treacherous streets. They respected each other and his baby girl was his best friend and vice versa.
“You gon’ have to let me meet this li’l friend of yours,” Murder Mitch said as he took a deep drag of the blunt, letting it rest in his lungs before he released it out.
“You know I don’t be on no meeting the parents type shit, Daddy. Plus it’s too soon for all that. I might come off desperate,” Semaj replied as she heard the sounds of a bass-filled car coasting up. “This probably him right here,” she smiled graciously as she stood up and sat back down after realizing it wasn’t Quasim.
“What! If it ain’t my nigga, Block! What’s poppin’ li’l nigga?” Murder Mitch said as he stepped out his vehicle. “Block, what the fuck been good nigga? I ain’t seen ya li’l ass in so muthafuckin’ long time,” Murder Mitch said, pulling him close for a brotherly embrace.
“Million-Dollar!” he said, referring to the old name the streets had given him years ago. It was because some folks knew that he got paid millions of dollars to lay niggas down for a notorious Dominican Mafia family. “It’s been a long time, big homie.”
“Now what do I owe this unexpected visit?” Murder Mitch asked as he puffed on the blunt once more.
“I got some business that I think I’ma have to have you handle for me. Niggas been on some ol’ other shit. Every heard of the nigga, Santana?”
“Heard a lot about him but who hasn’t. Few have seen him in the flesh though.”
“Yeah, but I know a little more information about the cat than the average nigga.”
“I’m sure. You got a ton of goons on your squad over there in
Brick City,” he said referring to Jersey.
