Fan Casting Marcus “Stone” Reed (46) in Empire Divide: Streets of Red & Blue

Affiliation: Eastside Blues Role: OG Mentor to Deuce / Street Philosopher / Peacemaker Nickname Origin: “Stone” came from his calm — no matter the situation, his pulse never changed. Folks used to say, “If Stone’s movin’, the earth’s shakin’.” BACKGROUND Stone was raised in East Chicago during the 90s, when every corner had its own rulebook and reputation was worth more than money. He joined the Eastside Blues at 15, when they were still a ragtag group of hustlers protecting their blocks from outsiders. He earned his name during a legendary brawl in ’98 — while everyone else panicked, he held the line with a broken pool stick until backup arrived. Stone wasn’t just muscle, though — he was one of the first OGs to see that violence had limits. He studied people, patterns, and consequences. After a short bid for gun possession, he started teaching other inmates basic literacy and negotiation skills. When he got out, he vowed to turn the Blues into something smarter — not softer, but strategic. He became a mentor to the younger generation, especially Derrick “Deuce” Hayes, who reminded him of himself before he learned restraint. To Stone, Deuce was the future — creative, intelligent, but reckless. He saw in Deuce what the streets could become if guided right. HE DIED AFTER BEING BLOWN UP WHILE TRYING TO SAVE AN INNOCENT SOUL