Payback: the Cost of Being a Gangster. This terse first-person narrative traces the history of a Latino male born in Boyle Heights (East Los Angeles). He becomes involved with gangs at an early age, and gradually becomes a victim of the violence inherent in gang activity. He is shot, but survives, and now is active in anti-gang programs while finishing his higher education. Erik Sorto is a C-3 quadriplegic.