126
Dennis drives slowly back and forth across the Cabrillo Bridge in San Diego’s Balboa Park.
On his third pass, a young man opens the passenger door and gets in.
“This is where gays meet,” Dennis says by way of introduction, “to suck cock.”
“I’m disturbed you know that,” Ben says. “Drive down to the airport.”
Dennis takes Laurel Street down through Little Italy to Lindbergh Field, where Ben has him park in the cell phone lot.
“So talk,” Ben says.
He isn’t who Dennis was expecting. Most marijuana types are scruffy retro-hippies-this guy looks like he could have stepped out of an Up with People rehearsal.
“Right up top,” Dennis says, “if you won’t testify, I can’t offer you immunity.”
“This isn’t Survivor, ” Ben answers. “I’m not asking for immunity.”
“Got it. I’m just obligated to tell you.”
“You need me to sign a release form?”
“Maybe down the road,” Dennis answers. “You have a name?”
“Ben.”
“I need arrests, Ben.”
Ben shakes his head. “That’s not your problem.”
“What is my problem?”
“Self-absorption,” Ben answers. “You haven’t asked me what I need, Dennis.”
“That’s fair, Ben. What do you need?”
Ben tells him.
Symbiosis.
127
Wounded.
Chon hates the word. wounded: Simple past tense and past participle of “wound.”
1. Suffering from a wound, especially one acquired in battle.
2. Suffering from an emotional injury.
I am wounded (2) that I am wounded (1), Chon thinks.
He is of course aware that the word comes from the Old English “wund,” from the Saxon “wunda,” the Norse “und.”
The Norse.
The Vikings, who believed that if you died with your sword in your hand you went straight to Valhalla to join your fallen brothers in perpetual feasting, drinking, and fucking.
(Which is clearly why they slaughtered the Christians so easily.
Come on-grubbing, guzzling, and boinking versus playing the harp?)
But if you didn’t die with your sword in your hand you were basically fucked.
So Chon is a rehab animal.
The rehab techs have to force him to slow down, back off, but it’s a challenge because Chon is determined not to be one of the wounded. He has a medical board coming up.
He’s going out with his sword in his hand.
Speaking of which, he got a card from O.
Her (sort of) wearing (parts of) a Candy Striper uniform.
Sword, meet hand.
128
INT. PAQU’S HOUSE — LIVING ROOM — DAY
O and PAQU stare at each other.
O
I’m going to find him.
PAQU
I don’t want you doing that.
O
I don’t care. I’m going to.
Paqu’s jaws tighten.
PAQU
Don’t do it, Ophelia.
O
Why not? Just tell me. Why not?
Don Winslow
The Kings Of Cool
129
He left when I was pregnant with you
Paqu tells her.
That’s the kind of man he is.
That’s the man you want to meet.
130
Ben goes to Chad’s office and leaves a briefcase.
$35K.
In Monopoly money.
Don Winslow
The Kings Of Cool
131
“Cock sucker. ”
Duane says when he gets the word from Chad.
Decides it’s time to go see
The Powers That Be.
