"A Loss in the Neighborhood" Chapter Four

The next day on the way to the arcade, Ed and I were walking and discussing the final steps to our plan.
"I can't believe you thought I was going to cut his hand off Ed!"
"Well, the way you were going on and on about that knife, who knew? It only seemed to make sense. But anyway, go on about the plan one more time."
I rolled my eyes. "Okay Ed, I told you, you hit the lights, and I'll go over and cut the power cord."
"Why not just pull it out Rico?"
I smacked my head in frustration. "If we do that, then they can just plug it back in you idiot!"
Ed nodded to me in understanding. We were outside the arcade.
"Rico, you got the knife? Better hope they don't make you pay for the machine..."
"Don't worry, what could go wrong?" I trailed off as a shiny new black Porsche slowly slinked by. It darkened tint windows reflected the neighborhood back to us.
"Wow, what a car," Ed exclaimed.
"Focus Ed. Let's do it."

The door opened and the atmosphere was electric. Kids packed the arcade, as if it were the Super Bowl. When I walked in, the mob began to shout, "Rico! Rico! Rico!"
I looked to the left and to the right, but Jose and his posse were no where to be seen. Perhaps he had ducked me after all.
"Where is Jose?" I stated to no one in particular.
A little kid came up and explained that no one had seen him.
"You mean I win?" My hopes were rising.
"Not exactly." I strained to see where the voice was coming from. Jimmy stepped through the crowd and the kids silenced.
"Even if Jose doesn't show, you still have to play. It uh, says so in the code."
"What code?" I shot back.
"The Code of the Arcade," someone shot back.
I had never heard of it, but it sounded logical. "Okay fine, let me go then. If I play and he doesn't show, I win."
"Agreed," Jimmy responded.
My quarter went in, and in a few minutes I was done. 1, 181, 930. Not my best, but certainly not my worst either.
"There I win!"
Seeing as there was no one to oppose me, I raised my arms high into the air with victory.
As if in a movie, the door flew open and the people parted like the Red Sea. Bobby walked in, followed by Miguel and Jose. Someone suddenly shouted "Hey, Jose's got a broken arm!"
The news spread like wildfire. It was true. Jose Morales stood looking demoralized, his head down to the ground. My world was blown apart. The idea of cheating left my mind and I could only find myself feeling sorry for Jose.
"What happened Jose?" I asked genuinely.
"Skateboard accident," he said, short and sweet.
Miguel spoke up next. "Seeing as Jose was supposed to play you, and he obviously can't, Bobby will take his place. That okay with you Rico?"
I thought about it for a moment before replying "Sure...if that 's okay with Jose, I mean."
"Of courese it is, right Jose?" Bobby interjected.
"Su-sure." Jose meekly mumbled. I looked at him kind of funny and he quickly looked down to the ground again.
"If that's what he wants," I repsonded.
Bobby made his way to the Blasteroidz machine.