On this week’s episode, Season 2, Episode 5: “Year of the Puma,” two celebs stopped in to get inked. Rapper Jadakiss got the word “loyalty” tattooed on his forearm. Brooklyn Nets point guard Tyshawn Taylor also added some body art to his stomach, where O’Sh*t etched in the words: “Forgive those who trespass against me.”
Both tats say a lot about what’s going on over at Black Ink.
First, there’s a loyalty problem, or something like it.
On an earlier episode Puma was fired from Black Ink. Sassy and Alex join him as other Ex-Black Ink employees.
But Puma has plans to one up Ceaser’s tattoo palace.
At a public gala, Puma was honored by Vibe Magazine, receiving an award for doing positive work for the local Harlem community. He accepted his award graciously, but also used the press spotlight to make a game-changing announcement: Puma will be opening his own tattoo boutique in Harlem. It’ll be called Ink 124, located just around the way from his old place of work.
The news came as a surprise to Ceaser and Dutchess, self-appointed king and queen of Black Ink. The shocker is not that there would be another tattoo shop in Harlem, but one by a former employee and also a former friend.
Puma and Ceaser have been friends for nearly 15 years. And Puma has been with Black Ink for a hot minute, before the shop moved to Harlem from Brooklyn and before they had celebrity clients. Can all that history so hastily be thrown out the window?
Ceaser perceives competing with his friend not only a threat, but also a question of loyalty. Should people who have worked together for so long now turn against each other and be enemies?
Puma doesn’t see it that way. He was fired. And worse, he felt disrespected. Ceaser’s business bank account has tripled, yet Puma hasn’t felt any of that cash money trickle down to the people who were at the business from the jump. He saw no room for advancement or promotion. With the arrival of Ms. Dutchess, Black Ink became a dynasty the king and queen are claiming for themselves, hardly ruffled even as friendships fall by the wayside.
It makes sense, from Puma’s perspective. Black Ink hasn’t hired anyone since they’ve exiled Alex, Puma, and Sassy. And if Puma and all the others were dead weight riding on Ceaser’s coattails, why should Ceaser feel threatened by their business idea?
Dutchess called Puma’s move to start his own shop: Some “snaky sh*t.” She, along with Ceaser, thinks that there are some things friends shouldn’t do, and challenging a friend’s business is one of those things.
But is it snaky sh*t…or just business?
Between bosses and employees, there’s always ample room for falling outs. But when bosses and employees who are also friends after hours have a disagreement, that conflict tends to seep under the skin of their personal relationship.
The fact remains that Puma was fired and needs some sort of income to support his new wife and baby. Isn’t it Puma’s prerogative to do whatever he wants to do next with his life? Even if that means starting a tattoo parlor? Can’t there be more than one workout video on the market?
Maybe Ceasar should have had all his employees sign a non-compete clause, so at least they would have to wait a few years or move to a different ‘hood if he didn’t want the competition.
But for now, the battle lines have been drawn.
Playing for the Home Team is owner Ceaser, his girlfriend Dutchess, and Teddy, Ceaser’s long-time friend and Black Ink’s Assistant Manager (though everyone knows Teddy’s full-time job is the Ladies’ Man).
Thus far, Sassy is the only dues-paying member of Team Puma.
Walt and O’Sh*t haven’t yet chosen sides, but if and when Puma actually opens shop, they may have a decision to make.
What do you think? Is it wrong for Puma to open up a shop in Harlem? Is it some snaky sh*t or just business?
