Fire Of The Middleclass! - Softcover

Hall, Kelvin

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1491859571 ISBN 13: 9781491859575

Publisher: AuthorHouse, 2014

Synopsis

This novel reflects the author real life experience standing for others being bullied. Also, his experiences filled with being the underdog in his own life dealing with the trials on the job, personal relationships, and unexpected drama from the hood. This is the second novel using the character RACE from his first published book entitled "NO MORE"! which explain the origins of the character.

About this title

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

FIRE OF THE MIDDLECLASS!

By KELVIN HALL

AuthorHouse

Copyright © 2014 Kelvin Hall
All rights reserved.

ISBN: 978-1-4918-5957-5

CHAPTER 1

The story begins with MC sneaking inside his old corporation, FOAD. He meets the new CEO of FOAD and has a conversation with him.

In the meantime, Tom McClement has just laid off five thousand people at Race's former workplace. He writes a proposal for additional perks for the 30 million dollars in stock options, as a reward for reducing expenses, thanks to his cost-saving plan. In addition, he gets 20 million in stock options for his top ten executives.

CEO: Well, I guess it's time to go home.

A stranger comes out dressed in dark red.

CEO: Who are you? Are you supposed to be the devil?

MC: It is me, Tom. I am a former employee. You can call me MC; it stands for Middle Class. Oh yeah, I am the devil, because I will be sending your ass straight to hell!

CEO: Leave before I call security. Anyway, you were laid off before I became CEO.

MC reads the report.

MC: So, you are going to fire five thousand people, but you and your hoes will get fatter pockets.

CEO: Leave, you useless piece of shit!

MC: You know, Tom, after careful consideration of the economics, I believe five thousand hard-working Americans are more important than one man with a million bucks in his pocket to shine his little dick.

The CEO pulls out a gun. His hands are shaking nervously.

CEO: I have a gun. I'm not afraid to use it.

He fires a shot at MC, who disappears into the darkness.

MC: Tom, I am in charge this time.

CEO: Where are you?

The CEO runs down the hallway. He stops and turns around. MC comes up behind him.

MC: Tom, you are fired!

He hits Tom with a sleek, white shaft that sprinkles out gasoline into his eyes.

CEO: I can't see. This smells like gasoline.

The CEO is shooting his gun blindly into the air.

MC: It's a special gas, rocket fuel, which is a nice fire accelerator.

CEO: I don't want to die!

MC uses a red shaft on Tom, which burns him to a crisp.

MC: I am going to kill all those executives, other corrupt CEOs, and politicians. Maybe I will even kill that asshole outsourcing President Tush. Nobody can stop me!

He laughs loudly in the dense darkness.

Sam and Shesta are on another stakeout.

SAM: So, Shesta, is this case about a wife thinking her husband is cheating on her?

SHESTA: Yes. Darlene Poel is the heiress to the Poel fortune. Her father started the Nylon Skill Enterprise.

SAM: You mean that heiress? Wow!

SHESTA: Keep a sharp lookout.

The stakeout is a bust. Shesta and Sam go to a Coney Island about 4:00 in the morning.

SHESTA: Who are you dating these days, slick?

SAM: Nobody at this time.

SHESTA: Same here, partner. It's hard finding a man who can deal with a strong woman who works all kinds of late hours.

Sam goes to the community center around noon to ask Bernice out on a date.

BERNICE: I appreciate the gesture. I feel you're like more a brother than boyfriend material.

SAM: Not cool like Race.

BERNICE: Nobody's as cool as Race. He is so incredible in the face of danger.

SAM: Don't you remember me trying to protect you and your mother?

BERNICE: Don't go there!

SAM: Sorry, Bernice. I respect your honesty.

Bernice goes on to finish her errands. Sam is upset about Bernice because she doesn't see him as boyfriend material.

Unknown to Sam, Bernice is having nightmares about when her mother was killed. Sam is a reminder of that terrible event. She is currently getting counseling.

BERNICE: (Calls on her cell phone) Hello, Dr. Ellison. My appointment for 3:00 p.m. is still good this Wednesday.

Sam goes home and just watches old reruns as he eats a pepperoni pizza. His old college friend, Tyres, calls Sam, asking him to hang out this Friday at the Boom Boom Strip Club.

SAM: No!

TYRES: You have a bad day, bro?

SAM: You must be psychic.

TYRES: Let's go to the club.

SAM: Why not!

The police are investigating the crime scene about the murdered CEO. Tasha Stiles and Stan Hill are assigned to the case.

TASHA: Odd someone used an accelerant in causing this fire.

STAN: That's crazy.

Tasha goes back to the police station with the evidence taken from the crime scene.

Sam and Tyres are at the Boom Boom Strip Club.

TYRES: Hey, I got a Stripper that Native American.

SAM: Yeah, you got Pocahontas.

TYRES: You got the Oriental Express.

SAM: Come here, baby. What's your name?

BRENDA: Call me Brenda Lee.

SAM: Come on with it.

BRENDA: No problem, superhero.

SAM: What'd you say? (Look of surprise.)

BRENDA: Don't worry. Your secret is safe with me.

SAM: I will talk to you later.

TYRES: I'm not feeling well.

SAM: I will take you home, man.

Sam doubles back to the Boom Boom Strip Club to talk with Brenda Lee. Two hours after the club closes, Sam notices a long-time patron named Hank trying to assault Brenda Lee as she's going to her car.

First, a prostitute by the name of Summer intervenes. Her pimp, GGW, which stands for God's Gift to the World, is w-atching from a distance.

SUMMER: Leave my friend alone.

BRENDA: (Worried about Summer getting hurt) It's okay, Summer. I'll be fine.

Hank pushes Summer to the ground.

HANK: Stay out of our business. Maybe I'll deal with you after I'm done with my Asian treat.

SAM: Leave her alone!

Sam doesn't see his two friends, Joe and June Bug, in the shadows. Hank pulls out a knife. Sam turns on the juice.

Sam kicks Hank across the parking lot. He breaks away from the other two guys. One guy attacks, but he is knocked out with one punch. The other grabs a pipe, which Sam catches with his hand and bends in half.

JUNE BUG: I must be on drugs. This guy can't be real.

Sam throws June Bug seven feet into the air on top of Hank's beat-up truck.

BRENDA: My hero!

SUMMER: You are one tough brother.

SAM: You like to play with fire.

GGW comes over from across the street.

GGW: Are you okay, Summer?

SUMMER: (Smiles) Yes, Big Daddy.

GGW: What the fuck were you thinking?

SUMMER: I was trying to help out my friend.

GGW: You are lucky super-brother was in the area.

BRENDA: Leave her alone!

GGW: What you say, bitch?

BRENDA: You heard me. I didn't stutter, motherfucker.

GGW raised his hand.

SAM: (Shouts) I wouldn't do that, man!

GGW: (Sarcastic) You are definitely the man of the hour. If you want to make some extra money, just give me a call. Here is my business card.

He puts card in Sam's shirt pocket.

SUMMER: Let's go, Big Daddy.

GGW: I would like to chat further, but I'm taking my baby back home.

Brenda looks with anger and frustration. She sees her friend and her pimp walk into the darkness of the night. She suddenly goes into a strange trance.

SAM: Are you okay?

BRENDA: You are going to play with fire, but it will not be with me.

Brenda wakes up.

BRENDA: What happened, Sam?

SAM: Nothing. You were just staring at the stars. By the way, can I get your number?

BRENDA: No problem, my hero.

Sam wonders what Brenda meant by the fire comment. He takes a passed-out Tyres back to his house.

The following day, at the detective agency where Sam works with the famous Latina detective Shesta:

SHESTA: (Jokingly) How are you doing, baby?

SAM: (Nervously) I am okay, baby.

Sam wonders if Brenda was talking about Shesta. He thinks Shesta likes him, but she also wants to know the new superhero Race's secret identity.

SHESTA: I'm just kidding.

The union workers are on strike at a manufacturing company called Park Concrete International, run by the former CEO of FOAD. The union wants an 8 percent raise with bonus if concrete and other masonry sales are positive.

SAM: I feel for those people in the street. CEOs and executives get all these bonuses, stock options, and high salaries. When these fools make a bad decision for the company, the average joe gets the shaft.

SHESTA: It's rough out there, Sam. Hopefully, they can get some retraining by going to trade school or college. A few might have the good fortune to start their own business, like me.

SAM: I finished doing the books for the past receipts and bills needing to be paid.

SHESTA: I need you to do a stakeout at this house. Here's the address.

SAM: I had planned on getting some shut-eye tonight.

SHESTA: Sorry, my poor friend, but duty calls.

During the stakeout, after 2:30 a.m., Sam gives Brenda Lee a call regarding the heiress's suspicion about her husband.

SAM: How are you doing, baby?

BRENDA: You know how to charm a lady.

SAM: Just making sure you are okay.

BRENDA: Where are you?

SAM: I'm on a stakeout.

BRENDA: Tell me where you are, so I can bring you some food.

SAM: Thanks. I'm at 34578 Smart Street.

After Sam gets off his cell phone, he notices a lady who's about to be robbed.

SAM: Got to help this lady

The lady screams after being confronted by two thugs, one black and one white.

THUG: Give me your purse, lady!

LADY: Help!

Sam changes into his superhero costume.

RACE: I like it when black and white folks can work together in harmony.

THUG: Let's get him.

Race takes out the thugs with some martial arts moves. He recognizes the lady as Sandy Storm, one of the union workers striking against Park Concrete International about the disagreement with management.

SANDY: Thank you. Who are you?

RACE: I am Race!

SANDY: I thought you were a myth.

RACE: I hope the union gets a fair shake from management.

SANDY: I wish you could help us out with this union negotiation.

RACE: I can save lives, but I can't save jobs.

Race leaves Sandy Storm. Sam gets back to his stakeout.

BRENDA: How are you doing, my hero? Anything exciting?

SAM: Boring night on stakeout. Just stopped a common criminal from mugging a lady.

BRENDA: My hero.

After the stakeout, Brenda goes to Sam's place. They start making out, which leads to sweet love.

The next day, former FOAD CEO Mike Steel's daughter comes into the office. He is now CEO of Park Concrete International. His daughter is an activist for the poor. Her name is Cherry Steel.

SHESTA: How can we help you?

CHERRY: I am afraid for my father's safety. A few nights ago, the current CEO of FOAD was burned to a crisp.

SHESTA: You don't believe it was an accident?

CHERRY: I know some high-level executives. They believe it was murder, but it was covered up, according to my sources.

SAM: Interesting.

A few nights later, while on patrol as Race, he notices a gentleman working late into the night at BTS Electronics. It is the CEO, Todd Brown. He sees another figure breaking into the building from the roof. Race leaps into action.

RACE: Excuse me, what are you doing?

MC: I am going to administer justice, like you, Race.

RACE: Who are you?

MC: I am the fire and anger of the working poor and middle class!

RACE: Did you kill a CEO a couple of days ago?

MC: How did you know about that? FOAD covered it up.

RACE: Word gets around.

MC: Are you planning on stopping me, Mr. Hero?

RACE: If you go home, I will not bother you. I can't stand FOAD either. Those bastards ruin so many good, hardworking people's lives.

MC: Good, we are on the same side.

RACE: No. Killing is not the answer.

MC: Sorry to hear you say that, Race.

MC points his staff at Race. He shoots fire out in a circle around Race with two different fire apparatuses. Race is now trapped by the circle of flames. MC goes into the building through a door on the roof. Race jumps over the flames with his superhuman strength and tears away the locked door on the roof.

MC is almost near his target, Todd Brown.

RACE: Stop!

MC: You're still alive! How?

RACE: I have nine lives.

MC sets the floor on fire, including the exit. He escapes.

Race must find a way for him and Todd Brown to stay alive. He notices a window and breaks the glass. He and the CEO go to the next floor by going outside and climbing back into the building. Both race to the top floor.

Race grabs the CEO and jumps to another building with his superhuman strength. The burning building is starting to fall apart from the top and middle. Race hears fire trucks and police cars and disappears.

Sam and Shesta discover during their two-week stakeout that the husband, Steve Poel, was cheating on Darlene Poel. Poel is on his cell phone.

SHESTA: I wish we could tap into his cell phone.

SAM: I am going to the bathroom across the street.

SHESTA: Okay. See you back in a few.

Sam turns on the juice and uses his super hearing. At first, he gets sounds from everyone, but he uses his martial-arts training to focus on just one voice of a man on his cell phone.

STEVE : Hey, it's me, Steve. Are you still going to kill my wife tonight?

KILLER: Yes. Just like I agreed.

STEVE: She will be at the Charity for Food and Coats for the Poor in Detroit.

SAM: (To himself) Oh no!

Sam gets back into the car with Shesta.

SAM: Shesta, I'm not feeling too well. It might have been something I ate.

SHESTA: You've been working really hard for me the past two weeks.

SAM: Thanks.

SHESTA: I need a favor from you. My family is having a cookout in two days. My date bailed on me. Get my mother off my back about not having a man and being single.

SAM: No problem. I should be better before the cookout.

Sam flies in his car toward the charity event in downtown Detroit. The event is ending. Darlene Poel is walking toward her shiny, red 2013 Porsche. She is slowly approached from behind by a big man dressed in a black leather jacket, with a rope in his hand. His name is Ben Williams. His alias is Big Ben, because he is six-three and 275 pounds of solid muscle.

Sam goes to the parking lot and changes into his costume.

RACE: Hi, Mrs. Poel.

DARLENE: Who are you?

RACE: I am your angel.

Big Ben comes out from behind a building.

BIG BEN: What is this? I am going to smoke both of you.

Big Ben drops his rope and pulls out a gun with a silencer.

RACE: Get behind the car with Mrs. Poel.

Race tries to turn on the juice. He forgot his use his powers yesterday to eavesdrop on the plot. He falls to the ground.

DARLENE: Get up, Race!

BIG BEN: It looks like your hero is an old geezer with a heart attack.

Race focuses on reducing his adrenaline in seconds, thanks to his martial-arts training. Big Ben puts away the gun and pulls out the rope again. Race gets up.

RACE: You should have kept the gun.

Big Ben pulls out the gun again. Race drops some smoke pellets, creating a smoke screen like a magician. When the smoke clears, Darlene and Race are no longer in the same location.

BIG BEN: No! It is not over, you two!

RACE: Mrs. Poel, if I do not survive this encounter, I want you to tell the police the killer was hired by your husband. He was having an affair and wanted your fortune.

DARLENE: You can take him.

RACE: I appreciate the confidence. I'll keep Big Ben busy long enough so you can get help and call the police.

In his weakened state, Race hits Big Ben from behind. Both adversaries duke it out. Big Ben picks up Race and throws him over a couple of cars. Race gets up. He stomps Big Ben's foot. Next, he slams Big Ben's head into a car door. Finally, he picks up Big Ben and reverse body slams him onto the ground.

Race walks slowly to his car. He changes back into Sam. Before he passes out in the car, Brenda hits the window.

BRENDA: Let me drive so I can take you home, honey.

SAM: Thanks, baby.

Sam passes out.

The following day:

BRENDA: Are you okay?

SAM: Appreciate your help.

BRENDA: I don't know if I can have a relationship with someone who could end up dead in the very near future.

SAM: Come on, baby.

BRENDA: I'm late for a class. We'll talk later.

SAM: I can't believe this shit. One woman wants the hero, not regular old me, and the other one wants just regular Sam, not the hero. I can't win for losing.

MC wakes up in his motel room with a gun to his head. It is held by Kian, a former enforcer for King. A character in the first story, No More!, she was thought to be dead. It appears she fell on a stack of old, nasty mattresses used by some homeless guys.

MC: Who are you, bitch?

KIAN: I am the bitch who is going to help you finish your mission and kill Race at the same time.

MC: I don't need you.

KIAN: I have two things that you need: money and honey.

MC: You are a pretty fine-looking filly.

KIAN: See I am your beauty and sugar momma, my fiery beast.

MC: Deal. Anyway, how did you track me down?

KIAN: I saw an office building on fire at a corporation about three weeks ago. I figured you were the reason for the fire. So I followed you back to the motel after your encounter with Race.

MC: What do you want, lady?

KIAN: Help me destroy Race.

MC: Yes, he's always getting in the way.

KIAN: What is your deal?

(Continues...)

Excerpted from FIRE OF THE MIDDLECLASS! by KELVIN HALL. Copyright © 2014 Kelvin Hall. Excerpted by permission of AuthorHouse.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.

Edition details

• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Publication date: 2014
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1491859571
• ISBN 13: 9781491859575
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 108