My name was formerly Richard Tallon, now Ricky Tall. However, to you reading this it’s Mr. Tall. I’m Mr. Tall not because I’m Empire State or nothing, but because my shadow extends beyond Rosedale K-12 school to all of Rose County Pennsylvania. I am now situated in the 7th grade and already the Big Boss who has over 20 associates in 4 schools around Rose County each with a Capo in charge of each territory and a secret net worth of $5 million dollars with control of all the candy, soda, and various other rackets on my turf. How did I start out? I first learned in 3rd grade how to get the school bullies in my grasp, which is where our story begins.

It was the second week of school, and the news first hit me like a blind bird, that the cafeteria removed every soda pop and snack machine within the vicinity of our population’s small stomachs. The school went into full chaos as various carbonated sugar drinks and candy were being confiscated from ordinary hard working kids just trying to make it big and be somebody at this school. It was a great prohibition on junk food, and we were not having it. First thing I did was to get the proper connections I needed for my business to run uneventfully.

My first associate was Antonio “Tony The Looch” Delucci. Tony was in the 7th grade for the third time in his life and was over six feet tall. I knew his strengths was that he was a regular dealer and had the quickest wit around which would be perfect for my legitimate business. However, he is quite the hot head if he feels cheated, so we both would have to come to a mutual understanding for business and order. Tony would be the under boss. Under who? Under me.

Next, we come to the guy who could make black construction paper white with fright, Walter “Weekend Special” Wilson. Now Weekend Special was also at least six feet and about 400 pounds, meaning he was a human dump truck. As for brains, he probably couldn’t even fit one in his thick noggin of his. That is why he won’t be in charge of finances but rather, he would be the enforcer of the operation because he could easily be worked with as long as he’s happy.

Now, how were we going to attain the shipments for our legitimate business? Well, we got ahold of some personal family which was my seventeen year old brother Marco. Now Marco had not only his own vehicle, but also an insatiable sweet tooth. He could buy all the soda and candy we need in bulk as long as he gets some of the product for himself. The only downside is that he is also working stiff at Bargain Burger, the lowest standard food joint in town. He works four hours there leaving little time to acquire the goods, but enough if timed right.

I approached my first would be associate Tony the Looch at lunch, where he was dabbling in some rather specific trading card dealing. As he swindled his third from the top card I told of my new enterprise in as little verbiage as possible. “So, Tony, want to make a fortune?” I asked eagerly but calculated in order for me to make the deal of a lifetime. Tony looked perplexed, and placed his cards in a sack and looked at me like I was some sort of clown from Mars. “Make a fortune? You better not be pulling my chain, or else I’ll get the chainsaw you creep.” Quite the funny man that Tony was. However, I was not done yet.

I says to the guy, “I have $10 here in my pocket…” “So what?” “Let me finish. I have $10 which I will use to buy the supplies. All I need is $5 from you and you’ll get 20% of the business”. “20% seems a little short.” Tony said, but I quickly explained to him like this, “20% of $100 is $20 and 20% of 5 million is a million. So if you invest with me and our venture is successful you and I will make it big”.

This is what sold him and he pulled out his Lincoln like it was Ms. Gladys’ hair from his soup. Now that Tony the Looch was on my list I had to find Weekend Special himself. Was I a little overwhelmed by the size of that beast? Maybe, a little. However, I needed someone to be the brawn to my brains; if you catch my drift.