Who is the most infamous person you've met?

[KansDem]

134. A loan shark on the waterfront

My stepfather worked for a shipping line located in Wilmington/San Pedro, California. Once he took me to the Saturday night fights at the local arena (Long Beach Arena?). I was 10 or 12 years old.

Well, after the bouts, he took me around the arena on the way out. There were many longshoremen and dock workers there. We ran into a fellow my stepfather knew and they talked briefly. I was introduced to him and we shook hands. He seemed like a nice fellow: strong handshake and smile.

After we left I asked my stepfather who the man was. He said "A loan shark." I asked what that was and he told me, "Well, let's say you've arranged a hot date for the evening but don't get paid for a few days. You really want to impress the woman, so you go to a loan shark and he'll loan you $50 and you agree to pay him $75 on payday.

I thought that was odd and asked what would happen if you don't pay him back. My stepfather laughed and said something like, "You don't want to know! Just don't get tangled up with a loan shark!"

That was some 50 years ago but I still remember that evening like it happened last weekend.