A few hours have gone by since the two drove away to conduct a stake out. The task is proven to be a bit tedious, boring even. They can only survey their target home for brief intervals before restlessness kicks in. The need to keep moving always wins out, even to levels where it seems self-defeating. Once you get past their inability to remain put, the never-ending wave of distractions will consume a high degree of their alertness. The stake out isn't going as planned, that's if any thought was ever given to it. One could say it's going exactly as expected, if you're accounting for the fact, they've never conducted a stake out before.
These jobs for them are usually an in and out ordeal, something that doesn't take up half the day. They've never encountered a target who was not only actively hiding, but also had the connections to be successful at it. It's the first time their resolve has been tested, and it appears to be a rough go with remaining interested so far. Only focus reminders, and the sheer level of hatred inside of Mike towards his target keeps him determined, enough to the point where his lack of enthusiasm doesn't win out. With this sliver of motivation keeping the job together, the two will eventually buckle down, stay put, and sit quietly in wait.
It'll be during this period when Mike will roll down the passenger window to smoke a cigarette, bored beyond comprehension. He relies on the hope of seeing Booger as fuel to keep him psyched for the kill. It's the last tool left in his mental drive, one that's increasingly ready to call it. The smoking helps settle the man, every drag flooding him with a rush of nicotine. His mind begins to ease up from his fears and stressors, something that's an unintentional distraction. A lack of stress decreases his lack of focus, and the end results is a nonstop mental wanderer.
The only benefit it serves is that it takes his thoughts off his current mood, having a mind too preoccupied to tap into his current vibe. It keeps him physically in the game, though mentally useless for task at hand, but no longer a mental liability to himself as well. Mike will kick back and let things unfold as they will, allowing himself to feel carefree. His mind will start to drift off again, down memory lane as it often does, and it'll be a continuation of his prior thoughts before he left his apartment.
Flashback 1997
After Terrence finishes his passionate response to his oldest brother, this will end up escalating the conversation to levels where the exchange feels intense. Neither will manage to shout at this point, for the disagreement will have the appearance of a quasi-civil one. There really is no reason for the conversation to be so contentious, so ripe with volatility, except for one factor – Mike is tipsy. He also feels insulted by his brother taking a stance for his own wants; its unprecedented. The beer mixing with his current mood creates an accentuation of feelings, thoughts likely conveyed more diplomatically if not for the liquor.
This is truly the first time Terrence has stood up to his big brother, and the situation is interesting to navigate with Mike's inebriated state. The sensation of losing control of his kid brother feels stronger than it ever has before; the need to regain the upper hand kicks in. Neither one of them will back down from this disagreement, and it rattles Mike to the fact his brother lacks the fear expected of him. The rage bubbles up within the eldest Briggs, the desire to get physical intensifies. He feels his pride is on the line, asserting dominance begins to churn in his mind, and reclaiming respect becomes the objective. Frustrated, Mike gets in his brother's face with all the anger he could fully muster, but he'll still have the composure to not touch him.
The intimidation factor is on full display from Mike, challenging his brother with gestures to provoke him further to find out what'll happen. Terrence is startled by his brother's actions, finding himself unsure of what to do in the moment. Yet, a burst of courage will overcome him, mostly due to the notion of remaining in Norfolk with family; the thought is unbearable. The fight or flight concept instinctively activates inside of him, for he feels his back is against the wall. Feeling like there's nothing to lose, Terrence will bristle up to his brother saying,
"Go ahead! You gonna beat me up… best get to it! What… you gonna kill me? It's what you do right!?! Kill me then!"
Sound: Finger snapping
This sound jolts Mike from his sleep and back into the present day sitting in Craig's car. The realization of his friend trying to awake him is immediate, although he cares not to know for how long. The embarrassment of the situation is brief, for neither one of them dwells on it past the moment.
"Wake up, nigga," Craig says to his friend in a low voice,
"We found em."
This news immediately awakens Mike from his groggy state, as he sits up and proceeds to survey his surroundings. Upon a quick observation, He will find that he's still in the Park Place region around nightfall. He's a bit surprised his friend let him sleep for as long as he did, for daylight was still present before he dozed off. This thought will quickly be overshadowed by something that catches his eye from a distance, and it'll be the very thing Craig has been trying to get his attention about.
Standing outside on an elevated front porch of a one-story brick house are three teenage black boys. Two of them are the individuals Mike and Craig have been searching for this whole time, and the sight of their targets raises morale. When this anticipation kicks in, the two will immediately go into preparation mode of readying their weapons and dawning ski masks. Craig will pull out his Glock from his waist area, and cock it as an indicator that it is time to move.
Understanding the act, Mike will follow his friend's lead of exiting the vehicle in a discreet manner. Slow is the approach to their objective, sneaking their way up closer to their marks undetected. Once they're in reasonable range, the two will seek cover by some high up bushes to conceal their presence. After a quick surveillance, the two will spot the three boys are still at their previous spots on the porch, unaware to the fact they are being stalked. Realizing their cover is not blown, a quick decision to ambush them from the current location will be decided by Mike.
No sooner as this decision is made, the main target will suddenly leave the porch area to walk down the sidewalk, coincidently in the same direction of the two. Mike immediately sets a new plan in moment upon seeing this, one that appears to work more in his favor. He smirks at Craig to the blessing bestowed upon him, quickly switching up things with a series of hand gestures. The point gets across nonetheless, as the two reposition themselves according to the new approach, and it appears to be just in time for Mike to intercept the approaching target. Craig will continue forward by taking out the mark still on the front porch, and quite possibly the third individual to eliminate any witnesses.
Marching orders have been given, now it is a matter of waiting for the right moment to strike. The footsteps grow closer to Mike, the impact on the concrete vibrates against his eardrums. His sweaty palms embrace the shotgun closely, feeling as if his grip is compromised by the sweat, but he'll never manage to fumble his hold. For a moment, the situation feels like he's killing for the first time ever. His heart races as if he's running a marathon, and his hearing feels a bit compromised by this pulsating muscle overpowering everything. He's a bit nervous but fails to understand why. Despite all this, he'll never lose track of the approaching footsteps. They'll still maintain a normal soundwave throughout all the distortion, acting as a beacon to Mike's reality.
A hand brushing against a nearby bush indicates a level of closeness Briggs failed to predict; his ears deceived him. The target is nearly over Mike, surprising him in the process. He doesn't react to his current feelings, but he'll maintain his cool. This single decision will be the one thing that'll save his ability of possessing the element of surprise. A repositioning of his gun dispels all his warped senses, clarity kicks in at full gear; he's ready for action. In one failed swoop, Mike will spring into action by cutting off the target with his shotgun aimed.
The startled teenager freezes in his tracks, sheer terror oozes off him over a gun being drawn his way. He doesn't make a sound in the moment; resignation seems to guide his current actions. He will not be given a chance to react past this, for Mike will cock the shotgun as soon as he aims it. Rage guides his every move while staring down his target with ill intent. Even though the anger of a hundred men courses through his veins, a calmness settles firmly upon his outward expression. It's nearly peaceful in nature, to the point it has his mark somewhat confused.
"Sup Booger," Mike says casually, right before shoving his shotgun into his target's stomach.
Sound: Shotgun blast