Malcolm's railroad hustle abruptly ended when he threatened a railroad cook with his pistol during a card game.
The Incident That Led to Termination
Malcolm's period of employment and associated ventures on the railroad came to an abrupt halt due to a violent confrontation. While working on trains, he engaged in various activities, but his tenure concluded following a specific and serious incident.
The Confrontation and Its Immediate Aftermath
The decisive event that directly caused the loss of his railroad position occurred during what might have started as a routine game, but quickly escalated.
- Setting: A card game taking place on the railroad.
- Participants: Malcolm and a cook who worked on the train.
- Action: Malcolm pulled out his pistol and threatened the cook.
This act of aggression was a clear violation that resulted in his immediate dismissal. His "tour" on the railroad, which had been a significant source of income and activity, was instantly terminated.
The table below summarizes the critical points surrounding the loss of his railroad employment:
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Direct Cause | Threatening a railroad cook with a pistol |
| Circumstance | Occurred during a card game |
| Immediate Outcome | Abrupt termination of his railroad employment |
| Subsequent Impact | Inability to return to previous drug-selling due to law enforcement awareness |
Following this incident, Malcolm found himself unable to return to his former life of selling narcotics. The reason for this was that the narcotics squad was already well aware of his past involvement in drug dealing, making it too risky to resume those activities after his departure from the railroad. This specific event thus marked a significant turning point in his early life.
