IT'S JUST BUSINESS

Rotji paces around his office impatiently, checking his watch at regular intervals. He has other things to do, and places to be, and he hated waiting around for anybody.

Rotji grew up in riches, and his business as the number one drug lord was passed down to him by his father, and his father before that. But, it was his hard work, ruthlessness, and commitment that made the family business as successful as it was.

He is a very handsome man, in his early thirties, with his six packs intact, and his body well chiseled. Tall and very straight, he earns longing gazes from women despite his known notoriety.

The door to his office opens, and he looks up as his assistant, Chinedu enters the room.

"What took you so long?' Rotji snaps at him.

"I'm very sorry, boss we got delayed at the port. It was tight getting past the authorities, it was almost as if they knew we were coming."

Rotji waves his explanation away. "The authorities are always going to sniff, we just have to be better than them. I trust everything went smoothly in the end?"

"I'm sorry, boss we lost two shipments to them. It was part of the reason I got delayed, I tried to prevent it from happening, but the evidence was right there."

Rotji bangs his fist on the table, sending papers flying. "Not again, I have barely recovered from the loss of the last shipment. We are already overbooked as it is. Our customers are fast losing their patience. What about our contact at the NDLEA? (National Drug Law Enforcement Agency)"

"I called and told him but he said there was nothing he could do because the higher-ups are involved."

"What then do I pay the bastard for if he can't watch over my goods? Call him right now to come, I need to see him."

Chinedu bows, and he's about to leave when Rotji stops him.

"By the way, tell the boys on your way out to bring those little thieves."

"Okay, sir," Chinedu says exiting the room, and closing the door after him.

The door opens again, and two badly beaten men shackled with chains are led in by two of Rotji's most trusted men, zino and Actor.

Zino and Actor bow down as a sign of respect to Rotji. The shackled men cower on the floor, scared to even look up at Rotji.

Rotji goes to stand in front of the shackled men. "I have only got one question for you both."

The two men nod eagerly.

"What made you think you could steal from me, and go scot-free? I can't have sticky fingers in my business. You both need to be made an example of."

The men go down on their knees and begin to plead for mercy.

"Who were you planning on selling my goods to?"

One of the men answers, "Boss, we didn't have any buyers lined up, we just wanted to put the word out on the streets that we had goods for sale. Please, boss, temper justice with mercy."

"I would have tempered justice with mercy on any other day, but I'm in a bad mood today." He turns to Zino and Actor, who have both been watching the exchange quietly. "Take them out of here, and get rid of them permanently."

The two men begin to beg and cry as they are led out of the room by their captors.

Rotji resumes pacing the floor. He goes to his cabinet filled with liquor and pours himself a generous portion. He downs it in one gulp and pours himself another, this time taking it with him to his seat.

He begins to soliloquize, sipping his drink slowly, "I think I am getting too soft, otherwise why would those bastards think they can sell the merchandise they stole from me in my town?" A statement needs to be made to prevent such from happening again. First, I have to deal with the shipping problem."

He takes his phone out of his pocket to call Chinedu who answers almost immediately.

"Yes, boss."

"Tell our contact to meet me at the lounge, I will join you there soon."

"Understood, boss." He clicks off.

Rotji scrolls through the contacts on his phone, and calls one of his clients. The line rings and the call soon connects.

Gambari picks up on the other end.

"Rotji, I don't understand, why haven't I received my order?"

Rotji sighs, "That's why I called you."

"To tell me it's on it's way to my warehouse?I would tell my boys to be on the lookout then.*

"No, not that. The thing is, there's been a minor complication."

"Rotji, I hope it doesn't include my products."

"Actually, two of my shipments got seized at the port, so, I won't be able to deliver. But not to worry, I'm working hard on getting your goods to you as soon as possible. I apologize for the disappoinment and the delay."

"Really, Rotji? So what am I going to tell my customers that have pre-ordered a long time ago? No, wait, I got it, I would just tell them "I'm sorry for the disappoinment and the delay, you would get your next fix as soon as possible." You and I both know it doesn't work that way. I've got customers who have been waiting for their next high, and some that I put on hold. I can't have the bullshit you are telling me now."

"You forget your place, Gambari. Don't forget that I am still the boss in this game. I called you out of courtesy to politely explain the situation to you. I won't have you disrespecting me."

"I'm sorry Rotji, but, are you still the boss in this game? I've been hearing rumours that your game isn't topnotch anymore. People have been talking, they say you are fast losing your grip. Your shipments have been getting seized lately, and you don't deliver on schedule anymore. With all due respect, Rotji, I'm starting to believe them. Maybe you ought to take a break or step down."

Rotji roars over the phone, "how about you make me? I would love to see the person that would dare challenge me. Are you taking up the challenge perhaps?"

"I am not, I just wanted to tell you what's going on. Anyway, get a handle on your business, and get my orders delivered fast." Gambari ends the call from his end.

Rotji looks at the phone in shock, talking to himself, "I can't believe this. Gambari that I introduced into the game has grown balls. someone that wouldn't dare speak to me that way before." He groans and sips his drink.

He spends the next few minutes making calls to his clients to explain why they won't be getting their orders They all express their dissatisfaction at the situation.

He puts his phone inside his suit and downs the rest of his drink in one gulp. Leaving the cup on the table, he picks up his jacket and leaves the room for the lounge.