Copyright©2006 LIL DUDE BOOKS All rights reserved. No part of this book shall be reproduced, stored or transmitted by any means without the sole written permission of the author.

Copy- right © 2006 LIL DUDE BOOKS By: Antonio Brooks Illustrated by: Antonio Brooks Edited by: Tamara Price

Everybody has someone to answer to, but I never knew that it

would be a neighborhood bully named Benny. When it came to

bullies, Benny thought he was the toughest dude alive. As for my

boys and I, we had to teach this dude a lesson, once and for all.

(Benny) What's up Anton, do you have my money? (Anton) What Money? (Benny) The quarter you owe me from last week! Now it’s done doubled- now you owe me fifty cents. (Boney T) Yeah Dude, you owe us fifty cents! (Anton) Benny, I don’t have fifty cents and I don’t owe you anything!

(Benny) Dude, if you don’t have my money, then you better find it quick! You have until tomorrow- do you understand me, dude?

minutes later………… (Omar) What’s up Anton, why the long face? (Anton) It’s Benny, he wants fifty cents by tomorrow. (Omar) You mean the kid from down the street...that dude has been bullying you for a while now. Tomorrow you’re gonna to stand up to him!

My name is Omar, that’s me standing on the steps between Anton and Jamal. As you can see, life in my neighborhood could be difficult sometimes, I mean you never knew what was going to happen from day to day. My younger brother, Anton, and I lived in the Oaks apartment complex in South Carolina. My cousin Jamal came to stay with us every summer.

(Anton) It’s boring, let’s go down to the court and shoot some hoops! (Omar) I told you Anton, we are not shootin’ ball today, you’re gonna stand up to that bully! (Jamal) That’s right Anton, you need to stand up to that guy. (Anton) Oh yeah, you guys are right!

(Benny) Just look at those three hanging on the steps, day after day. It’s enough to make you sick! (Boney T) Yeah, sick! (Benny) Before long I will own these apartments! (Boney T) What do you mean, Benny?

(Benny) Don’t you know anything Boney? I will bully everyone in this neighborhood for quarters until I own these apartments. They will change the name from the Oaks to the Benny Apartments, what do you think Boney? (Boney T) I think you’re crazy! (Benny) So where is your quarter Boney, you’re behind too!

Benny was a local bully, a tough little dude from around the way. He was always bullying the kids in the neighborhood for quarters. His goal was to one day own an apartment complex, but he was going about it all wrong. If you see this guy in your neighborhood, keep an eye on your quarters!

Later………. (Omar) Joey, what’s up with that ice cream, it sure looks good. (Anton) Yeah, didn’t you bring enough for three friends? (Joey) Sorry guys...I only had money for one cone. (Jamal) Have you ever heard of sharing? (Joey) Not when it comes to ice cream! I have to go, see you dudes lat-er!

(Joey) This is some great ice cream! I could eat 10 more scoops if I had the money. Cherry ice cream is my favorite! Those dudes don’t know what they’re missing. Oh it’s good! If I only had another dollar...

Suddenly……….. (Benny) Cherry ice cream, my favorite- hand it over! (Joey) What???? (Boney T) You heard what we said, hand over the ice cream cone! (Joey) You can’t have my ice cream. (Benny) Don’t make me get rough with you, just hand it over and you won’t get hurt!

(Joey) Hey you guys, why don’t you let me finish eating my ice cream in peace, and you go buy your own ice cream cone! (Benny) Why would I buy an ice cream cone when I can take yours? (Boney T) Yeah, why would we buy ice cream when we can take your ice cream? (Joey) No, I’m not giving up my ice cream!

(Benny) Oops, my finger accidentally sliced through your ice cream! (Joey) Hey man, you owe me a dollar for my ice cream! (Benny) I run this neighborhood, and I don’t owe nobody nothing. You better have another ice cream cone for me and my boys the next time you come around this way. (Joey) You're not so tough dude, I’ll see you again.

After Benny stuck his finger through Joey’s ice cream; Joey was fighting mad, but fighting was not the answer. This guy needed to be taught a lesson.

Later that night……….. (Benny) Okay dudes, where’s my money, you guys owe me and Goldie; I’ll take that gold chain you have around your neck. ( Romy) What!! What money dude? (Goldie) Hey man, my momma gave me this chain! (Benny) Tell Momma, Benny said, thanks.

minutes later…….. (Benny) Ok Peaches, Where’s my money? (Peaches) What money? You’re not getting any money from me! (Benny) I’m going to count to five and then you better have my mon-ey. (Peaches) You can count to 100 if you knew how, but

you're still not getting anything from me. (Boney T) Come on Benny, let’s go! (Benny) I have more people to bully in the neighborhood, so I will see you around, and the next time…I want my money. (Peaches) The next time you make sure you brush your teeth!

Around noon Sunday……….. (Anton) Did you hear about last night? (Omar) I just came from church Anton, I don’t want to hear about last night. (Anton) Man, this dude needs to be stopped! First, it’s me, then Joey and Goldie’s gold chain. He’s becoming a pain in the neighborhood.

(Omar) What do you want me to do about this dude? (Anton) Let’s get everybody in the neighborhood, and gang up on this guy! (Omar) Get everyone in the neighborhood together, and meet us on the door steps this evening for a neighborhood meeting. (Anton) Cool!

Later that evening……….. (Omar) I have called this neighborhood meeting because we have a problem around here. A bully by the name of Benny, has been taking everyone's quarters. It’s up to us to stick together and stop this dude. He is not so tough if we stick together. Does anyone have any suggestions?

(Peaches) I say we beat him down! (Jamal) That’s a good idea. (The neighborhood) Beat him down, beat him down, beat him down! (Omar) Wait! Wait! Fighting is not the answer! (Anton) Then what is the answer? (Omar) The answer is to stick together and stand up to this guy. When you see Benny bullying someone- help them out or call for help! That is the only way we can stop him.

(Benny) Boney, what is going on over there? Are they having a family gathering or what? (Boney T) I don’t know dude. (Benny) There’s a lot of people that owe me quarters, on those steps...let’s get them Boney!

Minutes later…….. (Benny) What’s going on around here dude, you’re having a party without inviting me? (Omar) We’re having a neighborhood meeting! (Benny) Without me, are you crazy? I own this neighborhood-and I want the money you all owe me right now! (Omar) No one’s giving you anything, Benny!

(Benny) Since nobody wants to pay me my money, my dog Butch will make you. Go get’em Butch! Benny sicked Butch on us when we refused to give him our quarters. I knew Benny was crazy, but I didn’t know that he would sick his dog on us.

(Omar) Out of my way dudes! heelllppp, he’s on my heels!! (Jamal) Hey dude, call off your dog man, that not cool! (Anton) Omar the next time you have a neighborhood meeting...leave me out!

No matter where we went, after the dog incident, all we heard was joke after joke. People were saying they heard this, saying they heard that, I even heard the rumor that I was bit by Benny’s dog; and had to be rushed to the hospital for stitches. People, I tell you...they are something else!

Later that day at the pool hall…… (Poolroom J) Say, lil dude, the word on the street is you got bit by Benny’s dog; rushed to the hospital, and you went into a coma! (Omar) If I was in a coma today, would I be playing pool with you right now! (Poolroom J) You have a point, dude!

(Omar) I am tired of all the rumors, let’s get out of here Jamal, and go home. The moment Jamal and I stepped outside the pool hall, we were approached by Benny; who was still angry from not getting any money from the kids in the neighborhood.

(Benny) Well, well, if it isn’t Mr. Neighborhood meeting Man. Do you have my money? (Omar) For the last time Benny, you’re not getting any money from us. (Benny) Do you want me to put my dog on you again? (Omar) If you want your money...meet us on the block in one hour.

(Benny) You guys better be there with my money or it’s going to be rough around here. (Jamal) Do you want your money or not? (Benny) I don’t have time for games, this is business! (Omar) Be on the block in an hour.

One hour later……….. (Benny) It’s one hour later and I don’t see anybody, I knew they were playing games, I should’ve sicked my dog on them at the pool hall. Now it’s going to get rough around here!

(Joey) I told you I would see you again! (Mr. Clean) Good afternoon Benny, it’s good to see you again, I haven’t seen you in church lately. (Benny) I’ve been busy. (Mr. Clean) So I've heard...I think we need to have a long talk about your behavior lately. Omar tells me that you’ve been taking money from kids and disrespecting people...is this true? (Benny) Well!!!

(Mr. Clean)You need to get your life together son, get back into church! (Benny) But, I don’t have a suit to wear! (Mr. Clean) You don’t have to be in a suit, you can come as you are. No one is concerned with your clothes, just come. Stop bullying these kids and turn your life around today! Benny, turn it around now!

(Benny) You guys set me up! What’s the big idea bringing Mr. Clean along- that guy goes to church with my Mama! (Omar) Come on Benny, stop bullying everybody! (Joey) Yeah dude, I’ll share my ice cream with you. (Omar) What!!! (Benny) You guys are right, and everything Mr. Clean said was right. I need to change my life.

After Mr. Clean talked to Benny, he saw the light. He was willing to stop bullying the kids and change his life around. But one thing I could not believe...Joey was willing to share his ice cream with Benny! But the real question was, was Benny really going to change his ways, or not.

It’s been two weeks and we haven't seen Benny. The neighborhood was cool again. I guess Benny really was serious about turning his life around. (Joey) Want some ice cream, dudes? (Anton) Joey, is that really you? I don't believe that you are offering your ice cream to someone. (Joey) Have you ever heard of sharing? (Jamal) I’ll have some Joey!

Meanwhile…… (Boney T) What are you looking at Benny? (Benny) Those dudes are out on the steps again. I wonder how much money we can get from them? (Boney T ) Dude, you promised Mr. Clean that you would stop bullying, and turn your life around. (Benny) Yes I did, but you didn’t!

(Boney T) What are you talking about dude? (Benny) Once again Boney- you don’t know anything. I can’t bully, but you didn’t promise not to. (Boney T) What???? (Benny) Congratulations Boney, You’re the new bully on the block! (Boney T) In that case, where’s my money? You’re behind!

(Boney T) Now that I am the new bully in the neighborhood, things are going to be different. I don’t want quarters...I want dollars. Hey you... reading the book, where’s my money?

Special thanks to God for giving me the talent and the drive to keep the LIL DUDES going. Thanks to all my family, my wife Sheneka (Tooty) Brooks and step son, Zach. My parents Willie and Luevonia Brooks. My broth-er ,Armard Jerome and sister Courtney Brooks. Also, my nephews Armard (A.J) Brooks, Joshua Aden Brooks and Jeremiah Brooks. Special thanks to all my friends and family who supported LIL DUDES BOOKS.