edith zimmerman

[I am walking along Eastern Parkway, Ricky starts walking beside me]

yo can I listen to your ipod?

[laughing] no

yo what’s your name

edith

hi edith, I’m ricky

hi

are you from Brooklyn?

no, not originally

I’m straight Brooklyn, born and bred

cool

I’m a straight Brooklyn nigga

cool

I know Brooklyn—all of it. I know all the nooks and crannies. I know these streets—down Franklin, from Bedford to Nostrand—I know these streets. I’m straight Brooklyn. It’s violent though. I used to be in a gang, but I don’t do that shit any more. I know Brooklyn, straight Brooklyn.

cool. so what should I know?

there’s real niggas and there’s fake niggas. there’s real bitches and there’s fake bitches. yesterday I had to step to this fake nigga. my boys were like, cool it out, cool it out. it’s not as violent as it used to be though.

yeah

a lot more white people. not as violent. but you still have to be a real nigga to step to the fake niggas. that’s why I was looking at you just now. did you see that nigga who just passed by?

no

well I was looking him—he was looking at me funny, I was like [he makes an exaggerated face] and he looked away. you have to be ready to step.

cool

so I’m a business man and a rap artist. I just left the studio. I’m working with Jay-Z today and I just recorded a track for Beyoncé. I’m a business man and a rapper. I’m turning right here, but I’m going to give you my number.

ok

347 555 4455. put it under ricky.

that’s what I’m doing

I’m a business man and a rapper. wait, call that number real quick so I see which number I gave you [he pulls out two cell phones]

um, I’m not going to give out my phone number

what? just call me so I know

what if you prank call me

what? what does that mean?

prank call—like

I don’t play games. I don’t play around. are you calling it?

yeah. It’s going to voicemail, it’s some girl

oh, hold on. [he takes my phone and hits redial. we stand in silence while he calls. he makes a face] oh, yeah, that’s my other cell phone. that’s my business phone. ok now I can call you and I can take you out sometime

ah, I have a boyfriend

that doesn’t matter

haha, yes it does

yo—a woman just today came up to me and she’s married

that’s no good

no, a man should never control a woman’s body—remember that. a man should never control your body. because a woman will do what a woman wants to do

I think it’s a little different

no. a woman controls her own body. and this woman, she’s married. she’s married to my best friend. but she came to me and she said ricky, I’ve liked you for years, and she wanted this [gestures to his groin]. and she was married. it doesn’t matter

what? that’s bad. you shouldn’t do that

yes I should

no way man

never let a man control your body

I won’t. ok it was nice to meet you [I extend my hand]

don’t worry, my glove is clean, I just bought it. [he blows on it and we shake.] ok maybe I take you out sometime. it was nice to meet you. what’s your name?

edith

edith. call me when you need anything. money—whatever. I mean anything.

ok thanks.

[ricky walks away, edith walks in the other direction]