Sample Sunday - Method Acting
“I need some space between you and my lady,” Orion said – pleasant enough wording, but there was an edge to his tone I’d personally never heard.
EJ looked at him, then at Orion’s hand that was still touching him, keeping him back. Then he looked at me, eyes wide, incredulous. “Who the fuck you think you talking to?”
“Whatever the fuck your name is,” Orion immediately countered, with the most disrespectful shrug I’d ever seen.
I… didn’t even know a shrug could be disrespectful.
But that one?
Was.
EJ took a step back, chuckling, but… fully unamused.
Shit.
Shit.
Shit.
“Please tell me you’re a comedian or something? The entertainment for the kids? Wait – what do you call it, when the actors get a little too invested in the role?” EJ directed that question at me, and all I could in my frozen state was blink once, twice, and then give an answer.
“Um… a method actor?” I stammered, not knowing what else to do.
“A method actor,” EJ parroted, with a nod. “That’s gotta be it. You picked the wrong the motherfucker for your little improv, funny man.”
Orion smiled. “The only thing amusing here is that you’re still in my face, spouting out bullshit — for what, I don’t know. Maybe you’re angry, embarrassed, whatever, I truly don’t give a fuck,” he said. “But I would suggest you move on, you and your friends go play with your guns, anything other than speaking crudely to my lady.”
“So… you do know who I am?” EJ asked, doing the exact opposite of Orion’s encouragement to back off.
“I’m vaguely aware.”
“So you’ve got a death wish then?”
“I’m quite certain you’re speaking for yourself, my man.” Orion looked him right in the eyes. “We can see who gets touched first. I’m very confident. How confident are you?”
I… felt like I should be warning someone.
All around us, people were milling about, going on with their business, eating, laughing, having a joyous time as if there weren’t two short-fused bombs smack in our midst.
“Nalani.”
My head snapped back to them at the sound of my voice – EJ had spoken it. Barely constrained rage hid behind his eyes as he posed a question.
A serious one, this time.
“This really your nigga?” he asked.
Immediately, I looked at Orion.
Outwardly, he was cool – frustratingly so.
He looked downright bored.
Meanwhile, he was wearing the same scarcely controlled wrath as EJ, simmering just beneath the surface.
I wasn’t sure if it would help or hinder the peace, but I told the unfortunate, contractual truth.
“Yes.”
I could practically feel the furious heat coming off EJ.
“Out of the love and respect I have for you… I’ma walk away. Only because of that,” EJ said.
A snort of laughter broke from Orion. “Whatever you gotta tell yourself to feel good about it.”
