chapter 11b 

(The Convert) 

Moïse Berri 

and the Reconstruction of the Haitian 

Space Agency 

by Jude Jarda 

11b 

The Convert 

Meanwhile, back in the Antilles, Yvon Baudouin-Lacroix is prowling around the tents set-up on the soccer field of the Carrefour Sports Center, a couple of miles west of Port-au-Prince. Yvon is utterly convinced that he has a special gift, when it comes to separating native Haitians from the ones living abroad. He believes that the differences between foreign visitors and nationals are remarkable. The outsiders walk, dress, talk, listen, observe and think differently because they're stressed out and worried about things that the locals don't even notice anymore. The two groups overcome the challenges of modern life and cope with fear in a highly dissimilar manner; and they certainly don't deal with issues like health, subsistence and security the same way. Using his sense of smell alone, Yvon Baudouin-Lacroix can theoretically tell if a tourist is from Queens or Montreal. His hypothetico-deductive method  is not based on the scent of their perfume, but on the spices they usually add to their food. The sweat glands of the Montrealers seem to be more efficient and more active, maybe because of the winter or the moisturizing lotions they tend to apply on their dried skin. 

The guy Yvon Baudouin-Lacroix is supposed to meet goes by the name of Miron the Iron, but his Facebook profile picture is an aerial view of Rio de Janeiro's Mount Corcovado. Yvon has no clue what that Canadian bloke looks like, but he just noticed that a modestly clothed fellow suddenly stopped walking towards him when they made eye contact from a distance. The young man, obviously an alien, removes his glasses, frowns his eyebrows, shakes his head slowly, and takes a good peek at the Baudouin-Lacroix twin. He then makes a complete turn on himself and glances at Yvon one last time before he finally decides to decamp from the soccer field, like if he'd seen a ghost. The twin remembers only then, that he looks just like Chuck Three-Brothers when wearing his treasured Rasta leather hat. The man running away from him is technically an SSG deserter. Now, if Miron the Iron left Chuck’s gang, owing him money, he certainly doesn't want to meet with his ex-boss at this exact moment, so far from home and visibly unarmed. Yvon Baudouin-Lacroix speeds up to chase Miron, who is now clearly racing but not sprinting. Yvon must avoid drawing the attention of the potential witnesses on himself. There are many policemen working in Carrefour undercover, dressed in civilian clothes. Yvon Baudouin-Lacroix knows from his own personal experience that most of them work without a badge, and that the majority of these agents will gladly beat the shit out of a male suspect for an extended period of time before reading him any rights. 

The situation becomes stranger when Miron the Iron unexpectedly flips and starts jogging backwards. The move is swift, but done with grace. Yvon Baudouin-Lacroix is stunned. The scene seems completely surreal. Everyone is looking at that weird guest with awe. Yvon is persuaded that it is a matter of seconds before a law officer takes interest in that very awkward pursuit. Luckily for the twin, Miron the Iron tries to lose him by jumping over the fence of the stadium by crossing the principal road to reach the narrow backstreets. Either Miron the Iron has forgotten that he is lost and on Yvon's territory, either he thinks that Yvon is a dumb ass. The Baudouin-Lacroix twin lets the Canadian believe for a moment he is some kind of genius. He even slows down a little to divert the attention away from him. Judging on the reaction of the bystanders and the fact that they're all looking in the same direction, Yvon can easily guess the whereabouts of Miron. After passing Saint-Charles Street, Yvon Baudouin-Lacroix walks around the Sœur de La Charité Saint-Louis school and strolls through the alley behind Carrelet Street. He then climbs on the highest roof nearby and quickly spots his pray. Yvon follows Miron and ultimately corners him in a dead end, right behind a tinsmith shop. The twin plunges on the former SSG member like a flying predator and automatically covers his mouth with his left hand to prevent him from screaming. 

“Stay calm or I’ll pierce your left lung with this ice pick,” Yvon warns Miron on a very menacing tone. “I'm removing my hand, but keep it quiet.” 
“All right, all right, I'm all ears, man. Damn it! Am I getting robbed? Hope not, because I am dead broke. My girlfriend's family is a tribe of beggars. That watch is plastic and it's not even mine.” 
“Shut the fuck up, Diaspora! Where the hell do you think you're going, running away from me like some scared bitch?” 
“I thought you were somebody else, someone I used to hustle with. Please don't hurt me, man. I'm just a poor traveler visiting your country.” 
“You took me for Chuck Canada, you fucking prick. That's what just happened. My name is Cherokee. I am also known as the right-handed twin, and I am much meaner and crazier than any fake thug you've dealt with before. Now, come with me. Do as I say and you get to stay alive. Fuck with me once and you'll never fuck again.” 

Yvon Baudouin-Lacroix drags Miron the Iron to an abandoned shack located in the courtyard of a basket weaving shop, close to Moreau Street. The twin called Cherokee has a good feeling about Miron. He seems to be a nice chum to hang out with and a loyal soldier to team with for some good old classic criminal activities. Yvon is not in the mood to pound one of his own. His stomach being practically empty since morning, the twin is not keen on the idea of losing any more energy. Cherokee wonders how much pain and torture Miron the Iron will endure before he starts collaborating. Before the Canadian can answer the first three questions, a brutal punch crushes his liver and diaphragm. That's more than enough to make the former SSG Crew member understand how dangerous and serious Yvon Baudouin-Lacroix is. When Miron catches his breath back, he clearly communicates to the twin his profound desire to rat on Chuck's secrets and also to confess his doubts about his new found religion. Indeed, Miron regrets leaving the Catholic Church to join the Seventh-day Adventists in his never ending quest for truth. Since he started observing Sabbath, people abuse and lie to him like if he was thick. Few of them realize that they are dealing with an ancient knife maniac that was once so wicked, he used brass knuckles to strike a pregnant woman who owed him drug money. Miron the Iron really hopes for them that his relationship with Corinne lasts. Having his heart broken could easily revive the demons that he fought off to put asleep deep down inside. 

“Chuck's legendary wealth is just that, G, a legend, a fabrication of his twisted mind”, Miron reveals. “There is no hidden treasure in that dirty crib. It's all talk and bullshit. I remember Chuck Playa spending ten times the money he brought in, so he could impress haters and hoes. You can't be under Chuck's command if you've got any pride. Know what I'm saying? That guy is too full of himself. He shows no respect at all for anything you and I consider sacred. He is just a detestable back-stabbing traitor. My main man, Jumpy D, he ended up in a long term care facility because of this double-crossing spineless bastard. And what a thief! Chuck steals from his friends since kindergarten. Let's say he splits a five dollar bill in two and shares it with you. Well, you can be dead sure that the serial number on your half is missing. Deceit is coded in his DNA. Honor and trust are not part of his vocabulary. If that lying pig tells you to go forward while he watches your back; that is exactly where he intends to stay. Beware! He shows you the right hand and invites you to shake it, but he holds a dagger in the left one, hidden behind his back. If you don't have eyes all around your head, you'll be found face down, cold and dead.”