The Tomorrow Game: Rival Teenagers, Their Race for a Gun, and a Community United to Save Them by Sudhir Venkatesh

Author:Sudhir Venkatesh [Venkatesh, Sudhir]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2022-06-28T00:00:00+00:00

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What exactly being thug-free means for Harpoon and Missie is not so clear. They could profit by selling guns to Willie, especially as he expands his business. But doing so may risk community backlash, particularly from outreach workers and diplomats like Pastor Jesse. Alternatively, they could walk away—but lose a valuable client in the process.

“Let’s think about it,” Harpoon says. “If shit goes down and Frankie fucks up, the cops are coming after us. Man, I really don’t need that right now.”

“Yeah, but only if shit goes down,” Missie responds, offering up a counter argument. “If nothing happens, then we got ourselves a lot of new business!”

Harpoon knows he should be conservative. Whatever Frankie and Willie are planning for the immediate future, the result will be more cops on the street.

Missie makes a different bet. She asks her boss to consider that nothing bad may happen. In this more favorable scenario, their team could earn three to five thousand dollars, depending on what Willie purchases. That kind of cash is not easy to ignore, especially given Missie’s desire to exit and Harpoon’s present status as a father-to-be.

Harpoon can sense that Willie is testing him.

“I don’t trust that nigger,” Harpoon mutters. Harpoon senses that the imprisoned drug boss is gauging his tolerance for risk—specifically, whether Harpoon is brave enough to get involved with Frankie.

“You think he’s coming after us?!” Missie asks, not having considered this option.

“That nigger’s got a lot of time to think of new shit to do,” Harpoon says. “Niggers get ambitious, start dreaming a lot when they locked up.”

Harpoon is thinking about his reputation on Rosewood’s streets. Word will travel if he refuses to arm Frankie. People will wonder whether the seasoned gun trader has lost his mettle. Rumors will spread. Harpoon will appear vulnerable, and speculation will follow: Harpoon has lost his touch. Harpoon is working for the cops. Harpoon is ready to be taken over.

With fatherhood approaching, now is not the time to jeopardize his reputation and his economic security. Harpoon must earn money for his growing family.

“There’s some folks who don’t want us getting involved right now,” Harpoon tells Missie. His references are unclear.

“Let me guess,” says Missie, visibly dejected. “People been calling you. They want to stop Frankie before he shoots up some young boys.” Missie’s guess is that someone in the community has been meeting with Harpoon. Someone who knows the situation on the streets. Someone wants to preempt conflict by preventing guns from reaching the young boys.

Harpoon chooses not to be forthcoming. Not just yet. Everyone on his team already knows he is not a loner in Rosewood. Cops, clergy, schoolteachers, social workers, all can reach him when necessary. He is a first call when one of these peacemakers needs to keep the guns off the street. Harpoon is a key asset in their efforts to reduce violence. This is a part of his work he discloses to Missie and others discreetly.

Harpoon sighs and raises his arms. He has reached a decision.

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