Gang Leader For a Day

Venkatesh tells us that after recuperating at a friend’s house for a couple of weeks, C-Note eventually returns to Robert Taylor. Venkatesh is not sure how J.T. will react to him, so he stays away from the projects until J.T. calls to invite him to his daughter’s birthday party. Despite this invitation, Venkatesh notes that J.T. is fiercely protective of his private life and tries to keep Venkatesh away from his family. The party is uneventful and their relationship returns to normal.

On another visit to Robert Taylor, Venkatesh witnesses a squatter named Brass being punished for refusing to pay his “tax” to the Black Kings. J.T. orders his head of security, Price, to beat Brass. Afterwards, no one helps him. Venkatesh feels ill and J.T. leads him away, explaining “It’s just the way it is around here” (49) and assuring him that he’ll get used to it. Venkatesh doesn’t want to get used to it though, he doesn’t want to be that kind of person. 

Venkatesh finally gets up the courage to ask J.T. about C-Note. According to J.T. C-Note had challenged his authority and had gone back on his word. J.T. couldn’t let him go unpunished in case other people started disrespecting him too.