Hellbent - Part 2 (908 hits)
Category: NoneRating: 1.95 on 17 reviews (Rate this item) (V)
Submitted by Mike the Scottish (View user info) at 2005-08-09 14:50:15 EDT
In the East End of this city, there's a large church amongst the clustered pawn shops and massage parlours. Huge thing. They put up this blue neon sign on the steeple, high above the other buildings. Can see it from miles away. It lights up the neighbouring buildings- a strip club and a burger joint. Damnation, salvation and cheeseburgers. Sounds like a good evening.
The guy next to me was twitching, had been since we left the lounge singer in the bar, got in the car waiting for us outside. He always twitched when he was nervous. I can sense that kinda thing. Saved my ass a few times. He was talking at me whilst I looked at the church sign. The street felt smooth underneath the tyres of the limo. The road to hell, Sanchez style.
"DM, pay attention man!"
"Yeah, sure. So Sanchez wants me repay him. Fine. What does he want?"
"A job. I dunno what it is. I'm just a messenger."
He held up his arms in defence of his ignorance. Cute.
"Well shut the fuck up then. This ain't a Sunday school picnic and I sure as shit ain't your priest."
I got church on the brain. That damn sign keeps on glowing out the window. Too late for this poor pilgrim. Always is. Took my mind off the hooker, anyway. George takes the hint, sitting quietly and trying not to piss me off any more. Dumb bastard should have figured that pretending to film me with some hooker was never gonna get him into my good books. Another name off my Christmas card list. C'est la vie.
The driver turns to us.
"We're here."
The car stops. The driver steps out first- a bald, stocky guy with no visible neck. Crew cut. He opens the door roughly, kinda like he'd accepted his lot and wasn't best pleased about it. Forever tied to Sanchez. We were more alike than our appearances would make it seem.
We'd stopped beside a giant, gaudy casino front, covered in neon lighting and day-glo plastic. A poor man's vision of wealth. I stepped up towards the place, following the driver through an entrance hidden to the side of the main doors. Not like the owner needed to hide. Everbody knew the Golden Snake, and everyone knew the owner's dislike of unwanted guests. Carlo Sanchez- the world's worst dinner party host. I gotta play this cool.
Walking through a glass walkway over the ceiling of the casino. People flit like flies from machine to table to bar. Some check their wallets and look despondent.. Security men stalk through the throngs, surrounded by neon and plastic. In an alcove near the poker tables, a middle-aged man cries alone. In the corner of my eye, George is still trembling. I almost feel sorry for him.
Gaudiest door yet. Must be Sanchez.
Should push it open. Make a statement.
Not yet. Gotta wait. Let Sanchez show his hand first.
The driver knocks twice in short, sharp bursts. A pale man in a suit opens it. Lawyer type. Looking past him, Sanchez looks detached, surrounded by a large desk and a room full of his goons. Mean bastards. Sanchez is looking older- hair greying, sunglasses covering sad, sagging, eyes. He stands up, grinning.
"DM, my boy! It's been too long!"
"How ya doing, Carlo."
"Better than when I was inside, I tell ya. Not a pretty place."
"Yeah. Just hope you didn't drop the soap."
His smile falters.
"Let's get down to business. My friends in the precinct tell me you gave evidence that helped lead to my... extended leave of absence. I have to say I'm disappointed in you, DM."
I stay silent. Just a show for his thugs. He continues.
"Now, I got our mutual friend George here to arrange this meeting, and I gather he has also introduced you to my son. Remember him?"
"Sure. Skinny little bastard."
Laughter.
"DM, you're skating on thin ice here! As funny as you undoubtedly are, please bear in mind that you are surrounded by a group of well-stacked bodyguards, each itching for some target practice. Play nice."
"My apologies, Carlo."
"Thank you. Now, as you know, my son is a talented singer. Does all the Sinatra shit, all that Tom Jones crap the ladies like. Does me proud. Thing is, he's looking to get a foot in a business full of these fat talentless fucks. They got all the best spots."
"That's an unfortunate situation."
"You're damn right it is. And since you decided to play Judas all those years ago, you owe it to me to remedy this situation."
"What did you have in mind?"
"There are three of these singers holding my son back from getting a billing in a major casino. I need you to... ah... persuade these individuals out of the business. Arrange a few unfortunate accidents, maybe. George will help you."
This was it. This was Sanchez's job. A last chance to resurrect his grip on this city. A chance for his son to get a foothold to build the family empire up again. I had ended the Sanchez dynasty, so Sanchez had arranged that I would resurrect it. Cunning bastard.
"My boys will give you the details of the hits, nothing too extravagant. A man of your experience shouldn't struggle. Now, if you'd kindly fuck off, I have some considerably more important business to concern myself with."
He turned his eyes towards the lawyer. Gotta keep an eye on him. Quick nod of the head in the opposite direction and the goons move in. I look over to George, motion towards the exit. He nods. The carpet back to the door is green felt, same as on the tables downstairs. As we slowly retrace our steps, I can't help but feel the irony. Dead man walking. Gonna be a tough one.
The lawyer pushes open the door and we look for the way we came in. I hear a voice from the other end of the corridor.
Look around, double check.
Yup. It's her. That goddamn hooker from earlier in the evening. I'd damn nearly forgotten about her.
She walks towards me. Elegant strides. I can still smell her, she's in my clothes, in my hair. I can still feel her dress between my fingers.
"We need to talk."
As if I needed more to worry about. I need a goddamn drink.
User Reviews
Submitted by Fey (user info) at 2007-10-01 04:37:32 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
So? Where's the rest of it?
Submitted by Stuch (user info) at 2006-04-24 13:10:30 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
You goddamn bastard! Make more goddamn entires!
Submitted by redskieslookfake (user info) at 2006-02-15 07:38:26 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
http://www.ubersite.com/m/83934 - Go read my post Mike!
Submitted by redskieslookfake (user info) at 2006-02-06 15:19:58 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
and again
Submitted by redskieslookfake (user info) at 2006-02-06 15:19:45 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
to correct my idiocy
Submitted by redskieslookfake (user info) at 2006-02-06 15:19:20 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
And I am a muppet
Submitted by redskieslookfake (user info) at 2006-02-06 15:19:09 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Sir, if you would be so kind as to read my most recent post I would be obliged sir.
Submitted by The_taste_of_Monkeys (user info) at 2005-11-04 19:22:52 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
heh
Sup dude, once again I stride the dirty dirty streets of Ubersite. Go to http://www.ubersite.com/m/78445
to hear my sad tale.
Big up the 'gow!
Submitted by Dervel (user info) at 2005-09-30 04:21:45 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Submitted by mikethescottish (user info) at 2005-09-29 12:52:19 (#)
Ranking: 2
I have answered your conundrum on your previous post. Apologies for my 'friends' calling you at such an unreasonable hour, incidentally.
---
No worries Mike.
Submitted by CookieLass (user info) at 2005-09-15 14:20:02 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
GODDAMNIT, MIKE! HURRY UP AND FIX YOUR WEBSITE SO I CAN RIDICULE YOU DIRECTLY FOR SHITTING IN YOUR MATE'S OVEN!
Submitted by Saxon (user info) at 2005-08-09 19:12:42 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
This was very good.
Submitted by mikethescottish (user info) at 2005-08-09 17:26:10 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Thanks guys.
Munkeypants- I don't post too often because I don't usually have anything worth posting about! Hopefully this'll be a regular, weekly thing for a bit though.
Submitted by LadyPlural (user info) at 2005-08-09 17:08:16 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by munkeypants (user info) at 2005-08-09 16:32:34 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
wow. you only have 27 posts?
you should write more.
this is good
Submitted by Phinch (user info) at 2005-08-09 15:50:16 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
not bad at all.
Submitted by CookieLass (user info) at 2005-08-09 15:18:56 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I'm so glad you're back. This was so good.
Submitted by mikethescottish (user info) at 2005-08-09 14:56:56 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Series (noun)
- A means of increasing your average rating whilst making sure that only 3 or 4 people really notice your posts.
This didn't come as easily to me as the first bit, I knew what I wanted to say but had a harder time keeping in character and pacing the plot. I've never really written anything in serial format, so you'll have to bear with the rough-around-the-edges feel. Sorry!