Book Niggers

"Man, check some of these fuckers out," Richie said as he chewed thoughtfully. "Bunch of nerds."

"Who? The cops?" Hess replied.

"Naw, those other cats," Richie nodded toward several of the armed civilian guards. One was a tall, slender fellow with horned rimmed glasses and classic "flood" trousers that revealed the white socks he wore. "Nerd."

"Define "nerd" for me." Hess finished his donut and washed it down with a swallow of coffee.

Richie laughed. "C’mon. You’re playin’ with me. You know what a nerd is, don’t you? Someone who is into studying and learning. Reading and all that shit."

Hess thought it over for a moment, then shrugged.

"I always called people like that "Book Niggers".

Richie’s jaw dropped and his already dark complexion darkened further still.

"Why you got be like that with me?" His face bore a look hovering between anger and confusion. ""Book Niggers"? Is that true?"