PINK IS THE NEW BLACK - article #2

Recently, I was standing behind two young ladies in line. We were paying our entrance fee to get into the museum. The man behind the counter was extra attentive. He stood up to physically, and complete with plane landing gestures, direct the ladies to the exhibit. My turn came; I received very little eye contact, a forced smile and a very dry, “Go down the walkway, the elevator is out so take the stairs and it’s to the left.” “Thanks,” I said.
It turns out the ladies and I were going to the same exhibit. As I walked behind them, I noticed all the male attention they were getting. The men stopped in mid-stroll and said ‘hello’ as the ladies walked toward them, as opposed to after they had passed. Of course, there were the expected lingering glances to the ladies behinds. It must be nice I thought to myself. Please note; no attention was paid to my behind.
The cashier neglected to mention the stairs reached into the heavens. I stopped at the bottom of the 2+ story staircase. I looked up and contemplated if I really wanted to see this exhibit. After all, the children’s museum was open and it was on the ground level. This might be good, I can finger paint. I decided to put on my big girl panties; I took a deep breath, fully realizing it could be my last, and made my first step.
The young ladies were several steps ahead of me. They were giggling. Please note; I found their joy annoying. Oh and look...we passed yet another guy, offering them a full hearted greeting. I made it midway up the staircase, I paused to catch my breath. Then I saw what all the fuss was about.

DOES THIS AK GO WITH MY BROOKS BROTHER SUIT - TWWW Part 4

You never let a serious crisis go to waste. And what I mean by that [is] it's an opportunity to do things you think you could not do before. – Rahm Emanuel (Current White House Chief of Staff)

This was way too easy, Xavier thought. He was going back and forth across the border weekly. He usually traveled alone, but his younger cousin, Angel wanted to come along with him on a few ‘pick-ups. He was hoping to get his own route. The cartel was still in the beginning stages and doing well, but Xavier wasn’t too proud to do the work. He had been doing the pick-ups for over a year now, with no trouble. He’d drive into Mexico and pick up enough weapons to outfit a militia along with several hundred thousand dollars worth of drugs, and drive them over the border to either Texas or Los Angeles by way of San Diego. This white truck had a cornucopia of fruits and vegetables and letters spelling out, “Del Soto Farms”, on each side. Xavier pulled his class “C” license out of his wallet. There was a small line before the border patrol agents would get to them. He ran his fingers over his picture. “What’s up man?” Angel asked. Xavier held up the card to him, Marcus Delgado it read. “Who’s that?” Angel asked. “Hell if I know, but it cracks me up every time I look at it. Oh yeah, remember, while the agents are around call me Marcus.”

“What’s my name? Angel asked”
“Jose”
“Man that’s generic”
“Lesson number 1 Angel, blend. Be what they want you to be…what they think you should be.”

There was one more car ahead of them. Xavier glanced down and noticed Angel’s open duffle bag sitting between them on the seat. It was filled with his clothes, a pair of tennis shoes and a handgun with a bag of marijuana resting on top.
“Angel are you stupid?” Xavier shifted his eyes down towards the bag.

The car ahead of them was driving off. “Don’t do anything sudden, just act regular…and smile.” One agent was sitting in the booth while the other was standing outside with his clipboard and pen in his hands and a gun in his holster. Angel casually brought the bag closer to his body and leaned on it as if it was an arm rest.
“Anything to claim?” the agent asked. Angel kept trying to pull the sides of the duffle bag together and discreetly move the gun which was digging into his forearm.
“No sir,” Xavier answered.
“What’s your business?”
“Truck driver. I’m bringing produce to some markets into San Diego and Los Angeles.”
“Yeah, I think I recognize the truck. You usually travel alone right?” the agent said looking over at Angel, who was doing his best to look relaxed.
“Yes. I’m training him.”
“Let me see your id and your paperwork.” Xavier handed it to him.
“Ahh yes, Marcus, I do remember you”