California Roll

“You got the white man’s silver tongue, ain’t you? But you ain’t answering my questions! Tell me why two dumbass crackers abducted a Black truck driver off a damned US highway, stole his damned truck, and then locked the nigga in a room.”

“You’re inquisitive. I like that, Noah,” Scully said. “Answers add to knowledge, and knowledge truly is power, just as the wise men say.”

“Fuck the wise men,” Sowles said.

They were both distracted as Mary entered the dining room. Her hair was long and vibrantly orangish red. She also wore bright red lipstick. Scully smiled at her and then nodded to Sowles.

“Do you like, lobster, Noah? I do hope so.”

“Never had it, an’ why the hell you bring an’ old nigga driver to yo’ fancy dinner?”

“Please refrain from using the N-word, Noah.”

Sowles laughed heartily. “The N-word!” he said. “Y’all surprise my ass with yo’ false morals.” Sowles laughed. “You worried about the word ‘nigger,’ eh? When you kidnapped my Black ass and had y’all’s white boys beat me down?”

Scully didn’t respond to Sowles observation. He just smiled. Sowles had to admit to himself that the young man’s charm was appealing but in an almost repulsive manner.

“So, what’s next, Mr. Scully?” Sowles asked.

“Doctor Scully,” the young man said. “Well, dinner first. You are in for a treat. Lobster tails thermidor will be the bill of fare this evening. We’ve flown in several cold-water species—live, of course.” Again, he smiled, his white teeth sparkling under the light of the chandelier. “How about that, Noah? It will be served with a wild and brown rice mix grown in the San Joaquin region of the state. What do you say?”

Before Sowles could answer, Scully nodded to Mary. “White, of course, nothing coastal, please,” he said softly. He looked back at Sowles. “Delta rice, yes? Sound tasty?”

Sowles nodded, as he cautiously watched Mary exit the room. “Rice,” he said sullenly.

“So then, Noah, we shall dine like neighboring kings,” Scully said.