Smiler grabbed the bag of goodies, held them up to the light, looked at them for a moment, then slowly studied Snakes. You could tell right off that this fool was addicted to the shit he sold.
Not so long ago I would have had the same look on my face, a look of pure worship.
'Go on, man…' Snakes' eyes glittered. He knew how much Smiler had been dependent on him before, how much money he’d cost him this last month or two, when he’d somehow managed to wriggle out of the net, and just how far Smiler would have gone in past times to get his fix. Marks like Smiler, you didn’t like to lose. 'I fucking promise you, kid, there’s nothing like it.'
'Nothing like it, eh?'
'Yeah, man, they’ve only hit the streets this week, and already everybody’s raving about them… Going crazy for the little yellow fuckers… Don’t know how you haven’t heard, it’s all the buzz… Oh yes, been shacked up with your new friend, haven’t you.' He sniffed loudly and wiped his nose on his sleeve.
Smiler watched, then his eyes were drawn back to the packet.
Just one. That’s all, so I can remember.
One more time.
Seeing Smiler’s fascination and sensing his growing weakness, Snakes went in for the kill. 'Take some for him, why don’t you? Go on man, chill out together.' He threw his head back, exposing the filth in the creases of his neck, and laughed, 'You know it’s not a party on your own.'
He leaned forward smirking in Smiler’s face now, close enough for Smiler to see his manky green teeth and realise that’s where the smell was coming from. Quickly, trying not to gag, Smiler moved his face away from the smell.
Snakes laughed, confident that this fish was hooked again, and counting the quid’s already. He couldn’t keep the smirk off his face. He got a shock a moment later though, when Smiler threw his wares back in his face, and the bag burst, scattering the contents all over the path and into the gutter.
'Thanks, but no thanks.' Wondering where he’d summoned the courage to walk away, Smiler turned and headed quickly back the way he had come, leaving a cursing screaming Snakes to pick his goodies up out of the gutter.
I owe Mike an apology. I’ve been stupid, bloody stupid.
He knew that Mike didn’t go for 'mumbo jumbo’ as he frequently called it, but Smiler knew the visions weren’t coming from the drugs. He’d been having them for as long as he could remember, and been terrified from the beginning.
He stuck his chin out, a stubborn look on his face. If Mike could only see inside my head, see what I see.
But it’s because of Mike that I had the strength to walk away. Without him I would have caved, and one more hit would probably see me in a straightjacket for life.
I owe him big time.