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SNOWING IN BALI

As soon as they flew into Bali, they met with Rafael at Marco’s place in Bali Village. Rafael was a little dubious already, as Marco had a reputation for being unreliable and paying late.

'Do you have ecstasy?' the fighter asked.
'Yeah, but cash upfront.'

He didn’t have it. He wanted to pay after the run, assuring Rafael it would work. 'It’s easy, they don’t check me at all because I’m a fighter,' he said, macho-posturing slightly.

Rafael sensed the veiled threat, but chose to ignore it. 'Thanks, but no deal,' he said, standing up to leave. 'If they catch you, or if you die, who is going to pay Chino?'

Marco quickly interjected, desperate not to lose the deal. 'Rafael, come on, please, man, I guarantee your money.' He knew Rafael could be a soft touch, as by now he’d invested in many of his dope runs. 'I’ll pay you $1 profit per pill – the easiest $20,000 in your life. Please, I guarantee, I guarantee.'

And then I was stupid. I say okay.
– Rafael

Rafael rang Chino, and told him the new play. 'No problem,' Chino said, 'you have credit with me anyway.' Awash with cash, Rafael had untypically left a kilo of coke on standby with Chino, and was waiting to be paid in two jet-skis. Chino asked who was organising this run.

'Marco.'
'The Lemon Juice guy?'
'Yeah.'

Chino was well aware of the famous dope dealer’s reckless reputation. 'This guy is a bullshit man, I don’t have a good feeling.'

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