Drillmington: Tinged

The tarantula lived by its nature. As did the rattlesnake and scorpion. They all found residence in TSL’s house. He let them enjoy their habitat in a ritualized way. They all had their own spaces and environs. Julisia loved them, too.

“You know people say these animals are vicious and a curse, especially to women,” she observed.

“We both know that’s not true.”

“They’re like loaded guns. Sexy as hell, but if you tempt them, you’re playing with your fate. Otherwise, they're wondrous.” A long tube descended from the ceiling. Its clarity permitted the couple to view the scorpion inching its body down, like a red blood streak.

The tarantula had its own space in a large, clear box. And the rattlesnake flitted its way through its own enclosement.

“Just like guns, huh?” TSL said. “You know you’re right. People malign when it's just adaptation as part of evolution that they have fangs, stingers, and venom. Like all my firearms, they’re used as a defense mechanism, mostly. They won’t bother you unless you bother them.”

Julisia smiled. It was the clean, radiant smile of affirmation that she had always shown even in a time of discomfort.

“We can’t continue in this way. There’s no way of telling what will happen if we are actually caught. If someone does recognize us,” TSL said.

Then, quickly, Julisia’s eyebrows furrowed.

“We don’t have to worry about that at all. What we’re doing is something that zero other drill rappers and managers are involved in…at all.”

“I hear you talking.”

“Hear me, babe. It’s far more dangerous out there for us than with our pets. This is a serious matter. You go and shoot that commercial. You do that. Because that is what’s in your raps, your videos, everything about your mission. It’s tied up together.”

“These are facts.”

“So you do hear me….”

“Of course.”

“The gun safety, smart sex, the themes of great dads all pervade your work. You should be proud of all of that. I’m proud of you. I’m proud of the fact that the most pressing things you discuss are young adults properly adjusting their sights and knowing that a 5.56 mm round will burst a grape from 1500 yards away.”

TSL looked concerned but not severe. He looked at the tarantula and went back over the plastic enclosure.

“More facts. The idea of staying true to who I am and not allowing anyone to offer any words of discomfort is not going to be in my nature. I stop right there where the threat is and I neutralize it. That’s my whole aim. Pardon the pun,” TSL excused himself at the end.

Julisia looked up at him. She shook her head slightly and smiled again.

“I’m telling you, there’s no fate but the closest thing we have to it is the idea of knowing that we are making this money and showing people the proper way of living. Hip hop hasn’t always been successful in that regard. You couldn’t talk pistols unless they were pointed at an opp’s head. Now, with you well over ten million streams coming from Delaware, I’d say that’s pretty damn good.”

TSL took some puffs from his cocaine vaporizer. He turned to Julisia and then he smiled. Except, his was tinged with a few notes of sadness. His face signaled the fact that he couldn’t rap about telling. About saving lives. He yearned for the fact that he could “snitch” and make it positive and still get approval from the rap world.

“I just need this rap thing to reflect the idea of how snakes, spiders, scorpions are all harsh when threatened but gentle alone.”