Katie Book's Production and Media presents Manhunt, an original audio drama podcast, written,
produced, and narrated by Earl Sewell. The two years it took to
get his degree flew by quickly. Luther didn't feel so alone and isolated anymore.
He felt like he was a productive member of society. He got a
credit card and established good credit. He got his very first checking account,
and even saved up a little money for himself so he wouldn't have to live
from paycheck to paycheck. He turned his life completely around. He'd gone from
a man who had no ambition, direction, or motivation to a man who
had set a goal and reached it. Everything and Luther's world was absolutely fabulous.
Now. He stood in the bathroom mirror with his face close up to
the glass, debating whether to squeeze a pimple that had formed on the side
of his nose. He studied it for a moment and then spooled a clump
of tissue off the roll. He stretched his skin by pulling his upper lip
down over his teeth and pushed hard against the pimple, causing it to erupt
like a miniature volcano. Damn, he hissed in pain. As the core
of the pimple coiled up, he pulled back a bit from the mirror and
surveyed the red area on his face. It doesn't look too bad, he
thought. He opened the medicine cabinet and pulled down a bottle of rubbing alcohol
from the shelf. He dabbed some on a issue and placed it on the
small crater that the pimple had laughed. Oh, he said aloud, as
his face began to sting. At that moment, Carmen knocked on the bathroom
door. Hurry up, Luther, I've got to get in there too.
Are you dressed yet? Almost? Luther, it's already nine point forty five.
You're going to miss your graduation if you don't hurry up. Okay,
I'll be out in a moment, he replied. He could hardly contain his
excitement at the reality he was about to graduate from college with an associate's degree.
He opened the door and Carmen came rushing toward him with her navy blue
dress unzipped. Can you zip me up, babe? She turned her back
to Luther, who kissed her on the shoulder before he zipped up her dress.
Carmen smiled at the touch of his soft lips. Don't you start anything
now, she said, as she moved away from him and made her way
into the washroom. How do I look as handsome as ever? I am
so proud of you, Luther. It's all because of you. Luther returned
her compliment. If you had not walked into my life, I'd still be
lost. That's such a sweet thing to say. Carmen stepped closer and kissed
him. When we get back from the ceremonies this afternoon, we are really
going to celebrate, Okay. Is that a promise? You better believe it
is? All nurses to the nurses station, Code blue, Room three oh
five. When Luther returned to work, William, his boss, called him
into his office. William offered Luther a seed at the conference table Luther,
William said, very casual. Over the past two years they developed more than
a boss and in employee relationship. Luther had done some service on William's car,
which William was grateful for. What's up, man, Luther asked as
he took a seat. Well, mister college graduate, you just don't know
how happy I am for you. It's hard to go back to school,
but you did it, man, Yeah, it does feel good. Luther
agreed. Well, look, I called you here because I've got a promotion.
I'll be the new director over house staff, working with all the new
resident doctors. Wow, man, congratulations. When did you find out,
Luther asked, Actually I found out last week, but I wanted to talk
to you about this job. William thumped his index finger down on the table.
I have to hire and train someone to supervise the housekeeping staff. Okay,
so what does that have to do with me. I don't want to
hire anyone, Luther. I want to train you to do the job.
Now that you have a degree, I can justify the promotion what Luther hartly
believed his ears. So what do you think? Are you interested? Hell?
Yeah, Luther responded, good. William smiled, Give me a day
or so to file the paperwork and schedule an interview with my boss. Oh
and Luther, keep this to yourself. Our conversation stays in this room,
all right, hey, male, surcial man. He and William continued with
their pleasantries for another few minutes, and then Luther left William's office and returned
to work. Later in the evening, Luther and Carmen were sitting on the
beach at fifty seventh Street. Carmen had brought a blanket and Luther had brought
a nice cooler with an assortment of wine coolers. They picked a spot on
a grassy area adjacent to the beach where parents were letting their children run freely
with little supervision. There was a mixture of loud, squealing voices, traffic
noise from Lake Shore Drive, and music from radios that others had brought with
them. Somewhere in the background, Luther could hear the fate sounds of R.
Kelly singing his hit song Stemp in the Name of Love. Look at
that, baby, Carmen said, pointing at the horizon. Look At how
beautiful the horizon is. She was sitting Indian style and wearing a pair of
blue jean shorts along with a Rhianna T shirt that read Dysturbia. Luther studied
her thick, juicy brown thighs he was fond of caressing. Yeah. Luther
turned his attention to the horizon. It is very pretty. Sometimes the horizon
looks close enough to reach out and touch it. Carmen continued to admire the
sun, which was now starting its descent below the horizon. Something amazing happened
at work today, Luther announced, Really, what happened? They want to
promote me now that I've finished college. They want me to become the supervisor
of the housekeeping staff. Baby, that's wonderful news. Carmen turned her head
toward him. You deserve it as hard as you work around that place,
dealing with all the mess that goes on. It's about time they recognize what
a valuable asset you are. It's true, Luther responded, But I'm not
stopping there. I'm going to take that promotion and I'm going to go and
register at DePaul University. I want my bachelor's degree. That's next on my
list, along with something else. I've been thinking about. What do you
have cooking up in that head of yours, Carmen asked, as she opened
up the cooler and grabbed a wine cooler. I've been thinking about us Without
you. I feel as if I'm nothing. I don't want to risk losing
you. Carmen felt her heart beating hard in her chest. She was convinced
that Luther could hear it. Over the past two years, she never brought
up the issue marriage although it had run across her mind a few times,
she didn't want to be the one to ask Luther to marry her. That
would have seemed like she was giving him an ultimatum, something she didn't want
to do. I don't have much to offer you right now, but I'm
willing to work and build a life with you. I will do anything for
you, he said, mm hmm. Now that I have a degree,
and now that I'll be getting a new job and making more money, I
thought. Luther got in front of Carmen and kneeled down on one knee.
Baby, let's get married. Yes, Carmen said, with a smile,
I will marry you. Carmen flung her arms around Luther, knocking him off
balance. He landed on his back, and she began kissing him. I've
got so many wedding plans to make, she showered him with more kisses.
Stop, stop, wait a minute, hold on. Luther began pushing her
off of him. I was thinking of something a little different than all of
that fancy, expensive stuff. I've saved up a little bit of money,
and I thought we could make this simple. What do you mean simple,
Carman began to pod a little. I start off our life together in debt.
Weddings cost a lot of money. The dress, the tuxedo, the
cake, the photographer, all of that is going to cost big time.
So what I want to do, or what I wanted us to do,
was to go down the city hall, see you, judge, get married
and didn't use the money that I've saved up to go to a trip to
Vegas. Luther said, Lither, you're kidding, right, karm said,
disappointment. No, I'm serious, will Elope, Baby, what's more romantic
than running off an eloping a wedding Luther with people and flower girls and a
church and wedding gifts and bridesmaids and s. Luther pressed his fingers to her
lips. We don't need all of those people in our business, baby.
It will be just you and me. That's all I want. Luther then
took Karmen's face into his hands and kissed her. Luther karm tried to speak,
That's what I want, he repeated, softly. Okay, you win.
She agreed, reluctantly, allowing her dream of a large, fancy wedding
to disappear. If you say you, I will show you z matter.
Two months later Luther and Carmen boarded an early flight from Chicago's Midway Airport bound
from Las Vegas. They would be staying at the MGM Grand on the Strip.
Although Carmen wasn't keen on the idea of eloping, she agreed to it,
but she was going to do it right. There was no way she
was going to head down to city Hall and see a judge for her marriage.
She decided it'd be much better to be married in Las Vegas. She
was excited about getting married, even though it wouldn't be the dream wedding she'd
wanted since she was a little girl. They arrived in Las Vegas and took
a cab to their hotel. They unpacked their suitcase, then decided to take
a walk, look around, and get something to eat and gamble a little.
Bright and early the following morning, lutheran Carmen got up and tossed on
matching blue gene outfits. Carmen locked her arm in Luther's and they went over
to the chapel for their wedding ceremony that was scheduled for ten o'clock. The
chapel provided a witness and they stood before a judge. They were married,
and then returned to the hotel room, where they consummated their marriage. It
marked the first time that they'd made love without protection oside riding out into later
while Carmen rested, Luther went to the casino to try his luck with the
slot machines. He walked the floor, searching for a machine that looked as
if it wanted to make him a winner. He settled for a dollar machine
in the center of the noisy room. The moment Luther sat down, a
waitress came up to him and set a drink down in front of him.
Hello, sir, she said, pleasantly. Wow, free drinks. This
is nice. What is it? Luther asked, ginnen orched you, sir,
and its compliments of the gentleman standing over there. The waitress nodded her
head to the right and then left. Luther looked in the direction she nodded
to see who'd purchased the drink. Luther's eyes searched through the crowd and finally
stopped at a tall, evil looking man wearing a hot red suit with a
matching for door hat. Even his trim goateee was shaped and pointed like that
of a wicked spirit. The man smiled wickedly and waved at Luther. Luther
couldn't believe that he was staring directly at Packard. Luther's eyes bucked wide,
like he'd seen an apparition. Luther suddenly felt dizzy and had to sit the
drink down. The last person in the world he needed to run into was
Packard. Packard approached Luther along with several of his goons. Packard was smiling
and laughing slowly and deeply, as if he'd been waiting for this moment all
of his life. Well, well, well. Packard rubbed the corner of
his lip with his thumb, as if he were savoring the moment love.
He said with a sinister poise, Boy, I've been looking for your ass
for a long time. He placed his hand down on Luther's shoulders. What's
the matter, Luther, You look like you've seen a ghost or something.
No, it's so good to see you, Packard. Luther tried to sound
cordial. Listen, I've got a run, man. My wife is waiting
on me. Luther made a move to get up from the stool, but
Packard forcefully pushed him back down. Luther, who was much more confident and
had much more to lose. Stood up in defiance of Packard. Luther,
Packard ground, you getting bold on me, now, boy, Packard opened
up his coat and showed Luther the pistol he was carrying. Sent your ass
down. Weave got some unseubtled business. Luther tried to act like he had
no idea what Packard was talking about. What do you mean, Packard,
what are you talking about? We don't have any unsubtled business. Packard laughed
wickedly. Oh, I've been wishing for this day, dot com. I'll
tell you what I'm talking about. Packard paused and studied Luther for a moment.
He then sucked in a wisp of air through his nose. So tell
me, Luther, what have you been doing with yourself for the past two
years? How have you been surviving? How in the fuck did you make
it all the way out here to Vegas? I got married? Luther answered
him. That's good, man, Packard said condescendingly. Every man needs a
good bitch. Is your bitch here with you? She's not a bitch,
man, so don't call her that. Oh, she must have some good
pussy, because you've grown some big fucking ass balls. I'll bet she even
helped you get a job too, didn't she. I'm working at the county
hospital, supervisor over housekeeping, and I got it on my own, a
supervisor, Packard said, with much more excitement than necessary. Yeah, and
I went back to school and got my degree. Well, hush my mouth.
Luther then jumped up and became a kinde educated man. I might have
to get me a taste of that pussy your fucking and then put my ass
out on the corner. You know what, Fuck you, Packard. Luther
made a move to leave, but Packard quickly pulled out a razor and placed
it at Luther's throat. Boy, I want to fuck you up so bad
that my dick is hard. Sit your podcast down before I got your bitch
ass like a fish. Luther met Packard's games with one of his own.
Packard was slightly taller than Luther and much more muscular than Luther, and willing
to prove that he could still knock Luthor around like he did when he was
a young boy. See that, Luther. Now everything between us is all
tense with anger and how still a dead. Packard put the racer away and
popped his collar so let me get to my point before I knock your bitch
ass. Ount Packard leaned forward and spoke purposely in his ear. I've had
a hard on for you boy for the past two years. I know what
you did, motherfucker. You committed vehicular aside when you stole my ride.
Hell boy, you're considered a god damn fugitive. I'm surprised they haven't profound
your ass on America's most wanted Luther suddenly felt the room spinning around. He
didn't like having to face what he'd done. He didn't want to admit that
he'd fucked up that badly. What's the man of Luther? Packard laughed.
You didn't think your shit was ever going to come back to haunt you,
didn't you. Your dumb ass has been in denial, haven't you. Packard
pulled back and glared directly into his eyes and searched them for the truth.
He was toying with Luther and enjoying every moment of it. That's what I
thought. What you do in the dog, motherfucker, will always come to
light. Now, Luther, I could have turned your bitch ass over to
the police two years ago, But there is the matter of my five thousand
dollars you stole from me, and you know I can't let that shit go,
pat pack Packard. Luther couldn't finish his thought Packard had him and would
make him pay dearly for his mistake. Tisk tisk, tisk, Luther Bean
fucked up as always. I've got you by the balls, boy, and
it feels so damn good knowing you. Oh mean like this, Packard spoke
through gritted teeth. Packer. If this is about the money, I'll pay
you back. Just give me a little time, Okay, Luthor, this
has gone beyond money now, I've taken this shit personal. I'm going to
ride you, Luther. I'm going to ride your ass all the way to
your motherfucking grave. You're gonna pay me back one way or another. Nobody,
and I mean nobody steals my money, and that bitch of yours,
with that sweet succulent ball and flitting pussy, it's going to give it up
to me, one way or another. Packard released another sinister laugh as he
pulled out his cell phone. What's your phone number, boy? Packard looked
at him sideways. Luther didn't answer. Packard. Boys made this punk bitch
talk Packered instructed his goons to harm Luther. Wait a minute now, Luther
said, nervously, let me tell you how this shit is going to go
down. I want you to steal drugs from the hospital. Several of my
most loyal clients would be pleased to know that I have access to a variety
of goodies. I can't do that, Packer. I don't even have access
to the medical supplies. Luther explained, Well, you'd better transform into Freddy
five fingers, motherfucker and find a way to access the shit, because if
you don't do it, Packard paused and captured Luther's graham. I'm going to
make a phone call to Detective Taylor in Chicago, and I'm going to tell
him that the tools he found in my suv with the initials LP stand for
Luther Parker. I'll tell him where you used to work. Then all they'd
have to do is get a hold of your employee records that will have all
of your personal information. Next, they'll send the square card to pick up
you and bring you in for fingerprinting. When they match the prince to the
ones lifted from the suv, guess what by by liver eass will be going
to jail, then say bye bye my wife, bye bye job and everything
you've worked so hard for over the past two years. Now with what is
your motherfucking phone number and address