Power in Knowledge

Power in Knowledge: The discovery in the little black book

by: Patsha Ramsey

David was an average statistic that grew up in foster care. He stood at an average 5’’8, wore he regular jeans and T-Shirt with a black hoodie, and he had a good sense of character. David was only 16 years old and could not figure out why his life had been so bitter. Growing up in Chicago, Illinois there was no boundary for a sense of what a safe place could be. It was surviving or die, kill, or be killed. The orphanage where he grew up in never lied to him about the possibilities of never being adopted. From what David understood, he was another baby found in the dumpster by a drug addict mother that could not get it right. As David grew to a young teen, he stopped questioning his fate. The foster home was an old school that was converted into a residential facility. It consisted of seven around the clock staff, a cook, and an old-fashioned woman that ran the place. David was grateful that the facility had treated him well over the years but could not see life at 18 years old. Most boys ran away and fell into the street life, but David wanted better. The boys ended up dead by age 17, David knew his chances of living a prosperous life was slim to none. For a boy like him, life was a gamble. David went to high school during the day and worked at a pizza joint on 11th street in the evenings. Graduating with honors was his goal in hopes to going to a descent college. He worked for this Italian man Named Mr. Moe. Mr. Moe was previously in the mob and grew from a gangster to a family-oriented person. Mr. Moe told David “The Streets will only be friendly when you risk things you cherish, but when Karma comes knocking at your door have your mind made up with your best decision.” David really did not know what Mr. Moe, meant and he never gave out much thought because David knew he was not going out dying to the streets. Being spiritual, but religious, David had moral about himself that he followed; He always told himself never do anything to anyone that can get you hurt or killed tomorrow. HIs average life would change but David had the slightest clue.

It was a Thursday night when David and Mr. Moe were closing the pizza place. It was fall outside and the wind had a cod chill that made a person shiver when walking too fast. Time had gone by and David had lived to see 18 years of age. He made his own support circle with the few older people within the neighborhood. David knew he never had to steal or rob anyone to meet his needs. There was sweet old Ms. Marley across the street where David ran frequent errands for to make money. Mr. Moe who gave him advances on his weekly pay if he really needed it. Ms. Daisy that ran the orphanage who had an old school demeanor but meant well. David’s favorite teacher, Mr. Mosley who never gave up on him to push him to graduate with descent grades. Finally, David had a female best friend named Keisha who grew up in the orphanage with him. David had a crush in her for years but never gave it much thought. He did not want to be a bad too soon because his own life was not figured out yet. David had considered going to the military if he did not produce a plan for his life soon.

As David mopped the pizza establishment floor, Mr. Moe took the trash out. David was thinking hard and contemplating his next move for his life. Suddenly, David heard a loud ruckus and ran to Mr. Moe’s aide. Snipe was the city’s most dangerous man who just got out of prison on a 20-year bid. Snipe and Mr. Moe used to be friends back in the day when Mr. Moe ran the streets. No one expected Snipe to get out so soon due to multiple charges of murder, possession, trafficking of human beings, and gang affiliated crimes. David overheard the argument as he ran to help Mr. Moe. Basically, Snipe had given Mr. Moe money to open the pizza place. Mr. Moe thought Snipe was being a friend, bur really Snipe wanted to wash dirty money through the establishment. When Snipe was sentenced to 20 years, Mr. Moe went on with life and built a well-respected business. Mr. Moe told David of stories of how Mr. Moe had pledged to a secret society. Mr. Moe had warned David to never make an oath that he could not whole heartedly promise to keep. Mr. Moe told David there would never be an end to fighting for his life if he did pledge to such an organization. Snipe had shot Mr. Moe and fled the scene. David laid Mr. Moe on his lap and used his cellphone to call for help. Mr. Moe’s body was cold, but David sensed a hint of happiness with the slow death. Mr. Moe gave David a little black book and told him to keep it safe for it contained vital information that could be used to destroy the only world David knew. The day Mr. Moe died was sad and all David could think about is how Mr. Moe had changed his life and still ended up six feet under. David took the book and placed it in a chest in his room, he did not give the book much thought until the day after Mr. Moe’s funeral.

David was moping around all day the day of Mr. Moe’s funeral. Mr. Moe had left behind a family and a broken-hearted neighborhood. Everyone knew that the pizza joint would never be the same. David did not know if he was more shocked because he did not have a job anymore or because his key role model that was teaching him the basics of being a good man was dead. David did not want to talk much that day. He went to supper and remained in his room. As David plopped in his bed, he glanced over at the chest and remembered what Mr. Moe had told him about the black book. David went to his chest and pulled the book out and began reading it. The book contained notes that Mr. Moe had journaled about. Secrets that were shockingly overwhelming to David. David had learned who really killed the Mayor five years ago, who were all sacred members of the affiliated organization that Mr. Moe was in, and that Ms. Daisy was initiated when she was a witness to a murder. Ms. Daisy was given $50,000.00 to keep her mouth shut and she decided to open the orphanage as a non-profit organization. Mr. Mosley was initiated and was given a full ride Frankford University and $20,000.00. Ms. Marley was the widowed wife of the leader who started to secret society which explained why David had never seen her with another man. Mr. Moe and Snipe were hit men for the organization back in the day. Mr. Moe had noted that there were powerful leaders within Chicago that were average poor people until they were initiated into wealth and success.

David’s heart grew heavy as he felt everyone, he considered his support had done evil and horrendous things. He realized that the world he though he knew was betrayed by secrets and corruption. David hands became sweaty, and he knew by reading the book his life was at stake. However, who could he turn to?? There was no one that could give him help that was not affiliated. David out the book back into his chest and went to bed.

David was woken up at 4am when he overheard voice outside his room door. It sounded like Ms. Daisy and Mr. Mosley arguing about David’s possession of the book. David’s blood ran cold as he placed the cover over his head and laid there motionless. Mr. Mosley and Ms. Daisy had agreed to take David to the powerful member of their secret organization. David felt his heart pounding and felt knots in his stomach. All David could think about is why did Mr. Moe have to give him the black book!

Morning came sooner than David wanted it to. He woke up as usual and played it off as if everything were normal.Ms. Daisy had breakfast with the kids which was unusual but given what David knew, the reasoning was expected. Ms. Daisy announced that David was the chosen resident to go on a personal field trip with her. David was so nervous he thought he was going to throw up his breakfast.

Shortly after breakfast David ran to the bathroom and turned on the water. He prayed to God he would not die and that everything would be ok. A knock at the bathroom door was Ms. Daisy telling David it was time to go.

David was transported in an old van and there was a blindfold and bag placed over his head. After a 30-minute drive, David was placed into a dark room and sat in a chair. When the sight restraints were lifted, David was in the center of a circle surrounded by many unfamiliar faces. Everyone introduced themselves and as they spoke David realized these people were people of power. Doctors, lawyers, judges, police officers, military officials, and even politicians. An old man that did not reveal his face spoke from the corner of the room. He was overshadowed by no light so David could not make out who he was speaking to. The voce said, you know why you are here, and we will begin the initiation process. This process is by choice and anything you ask will be granted. In return you must vow to never reveal what happens today or repeat anything you read in that book. What is your most daring dreams David?? David responded, “I want to be successful and live a rich life.” The voice said, “What are your skills?” David replied,” I can play basketball well but never good enough to go to the NBA. The voice replied, it has done. David was given $20,000 and a draft to the NBA. However, such a dream came with a stipulation. David would become the world’s greatest NBA player for the next 15 years but at the time he finds true love his life would be over. David’s soul would be reunited by a drop of his blood to seal the deal.

For the next 15 years, David lived the best life as he knew it. He avoided falling for women by sleeping around randomly. One day David was walking in the park and he saw a family that consisted of a girl, boy, father, and mother. A sadness suddenly fell over David for he knew that there is no chance he would ever be happy... genuinely happy. It was true David had money, clothes, cars, houses, and fame but he realized that he would never experience true love and happiness. David questioned his decision and wondered if it was the best solution. David had figured it was initiate or die. But David thought to himself and felt guilty. He had promised himself to never pledge but he sold himself out. David ran into Keisha one day when he went back to visit his old hometown. Keisha was a middle-class nurse that was struggling to meet day to day needs. David had crossed Keisha’s path while entering a coffee shop. Keisha was boasting about how successful David had become over the years. David downplayed the success and told Keisha she had no idea the sacrifices he had to make. All the feelings he had for Keisha came rushing back to him. As David and Keisha locked eyes, David had an instant heart attack. The moral of David’s story was he sold out at a devastating price; he gave his soul dying unhappy and lost. What is the price to your happiness??