This is a true story about the gritty underbelly of Atlanta in the 1970s. It’s a story of love, betrayal, friendship and murder. The content of Mouthpiece is taken directly from newspaper articles, case files, court records and the personal accounts of a man that was “in the trenches” at the time. When Jack started in law school all he wanted was to defend people falsely accused of crimes. Then he began to see the much larger possibilities of working with people he knew were criminals. It’s funny how things change. Thus begins Jack’s journey as he builds his practice as a street lawyer. Sly Henritze is an older attorney whose experience and skills equate to light-years of wisdom. Sly tells Jack, “You need at least two things to practice my kind of law, a law degree and a criminal mind.” An alliance is formed and Sly begins to introduce Jack to blue-chip criminals like Shannon Hatcher. Shannon’s husband had two businesses, buying/selling earth moving equipment and killing people. One day her husband died and Shannon took over the businesses - both of them. Jack maintains a foothold in both Sly’s world and the street world. Then Jack meets Alex, a highly successful madam. Alex is tough and smart with her set of rules and a special philosophy. Alex is looking for her first ol’man and “chooses” Jack. As is the custom Alex gives Jack money along with a warning, “It can become addictive. Once you get it in your blood, it can become a way of life.” Jack also meets Niki, a fifteen year old Cajun streetwalker that turned herself out because “Sesame Street and Big Bird,” were all just reruns. Jack invites his hooker clients to a little informal class, just some rudimentary law. “Hooker Law 101.” His work with Sly begins to slip as he moves deeper into the life. Sly tells Jack, “I love my right hand. It has served me well all these years but if it places me in danger, I’ll cut it off. If it comes down to my surviving or losing the hand, the hands gotta go.” The question is, will Jack heed the warnings of everyone around him?