05 Jan 06

Long Island the Conqueror

On the eve of Long Island’s release, 11th Dec 05, we had the following chat:

“How long have you been in prison?” I asked.
“Fifty-six months,” Long Island said.
“How does it feel to be getting out?”
“I’m extremely scared…anxious…nervous…more than I ever thought I’d be."
“But aren’t you happy?”
“Yeah, of course I am, but other emotions are overshadowing my happiness right now. I’m not getting out expecting to fail like other guys who are happy to get out and rob, and get high and come back to prison. I’m happy to get out to build a life, and that’s gonna take everything I have, everything. Becoming a stockbroker is gonna take a lot of hard work. There are prejudices out there that I’m gonna have to face or manipulate my way around. I’ll need to keep my wits about me. I owe my family and others who’ve supported me financially and emotionally – not to let them down for instilling trust in me. I’m wondering whether to contact the girl I was with – but I’m scared that might set off a chain reaction of things I don’t want to deal with right now.”
“Had you and her been together long before your arrest?”
“Seven years.”
“What’s the first thing you want to do?”
“Have dinner with my family.” His face lit up at the thought. “And I’d like to sit at a bar and have a drink alone – hopefully a nice little barmaid will bring me a Stoli tonic.”
“How soon do you think you’ll achieve success?”
“I want a stockbroker’s license within six months. I’d like to be pulling six figures within three years.”
“Any marriage plans?”
“I wannabe married and starting a family by thirty-five." (Long Island is twenty-eight.)
“How many kids?”
“At least two.”
“Are you gonna stay in Phoenix?”
“Absolutely.”
“Are you gonna further your education?”
“I’ve got sixty-five college credits which is an associates degree. I’d like another sixty to get a B.A.”
“You will keep me updated on your progress, won't you?”
“I sure will. You created me, now I just have to go.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“I’ve tried to glean as much knowledge of the financial markets as I could from you. Now I just have to apply it. You’ve transferred to me a wealth of knowledge. It’s like you said, ‘Here, read these books, and go and be rich’.”
“But remember, materialism isn’t everything. Look what happened to me.”
“I have a lot of catching up to do before I have to think about that.”
“Do you think success might go to your head?”
“I think it will go to my head. I welcome it!”
“You sound like Gordon Gecko – greed is good.”
“Gordon Gecko is antiquated.”
“To succeed in business you have to be cut-throat, but unscrupulous trading practices may land you back behind bars.”
“That won’t happen. I’m looking forward to bringing my love for the financial markets and integrity to whatever brokerage position I’m fortunate to land.”
“It’s been a pleasure being your celly. I’ll miss you loads.”
“Same here.”
“And I’ll be disappointed if you get in any future bother.”
“I have positive goals.”
“And good luck with them, my friend.”
“Thank you.”

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Copyright © 2005-2006 Shaun P. Attwood