We wait until night for the streets to clear out. My crew gets their dancing shoes ready for the battle. Hats tilted sideways to a specific degree. The rookie is anxious. He uses the public bathroom at the subway station to relieve his nerves. We slowly approach the group of silhouettes in the distance.
The battle is about to begin. I throw down the cardboard dance floor and do some pre-game stretching. The rival crew goes first. Their moves slice the air like blades; but we are sharper. After a couple minutes the boom box fades and the dance is over. Now it’s our turn. Our chance for respect. We dance.