Off the Face of the Earth (731 hits)
Category: NoneLabels: The_Malleys
Rating: 2 on 14 reviews (Rate this item) (V)
Submitted by Axolotl .93 (View user info) at 2006-05-16 14:12:36 EDT
There's been a major horrific error with my computer, causing me to not post anything in a while. I've resorted to trying to generate electricity with a mouse wheel and a thread of copper wire to power my smoking, blown-apart laptop.
I blame the illegal immigrants.
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It was evening on Saint Patrick's Day, and evening had brought large crowds of men, women and children celebrating the holiday. In the heavily-Irish areas of Bergenfield and Dumont the restaurants, bars and halls of Washington Avenue were filled with celebrators of all descents, talking and laughing happily to one another.
A little bit south, in Riveredge, two men drove along in a car, unconcerned with the celebration. Marcus Toussaint was the driver, a Haitian, and an associate of the Dimiglios. His passenger Josh Blades was a spike-haired stubbled young man with piercing eyes and a very young face. On another note, every single neuron in Josh's mind was feeling the effects of an entire night of Bud Light and Dewars.
As they passed through Hackensack, Marcus said, "I don't even know why the hell you were out at that bar. You ain't even Irish."
"Just drive the car," Josh slurred. "You're not my mother..."
By the McDonalds in the commercial northern part of Hackensack was a small diner-like restaurant called White Manna, famed for their tiny burgers. It had been compared to White Castle, and Toussaint had eaten there on several occasions. Through the windows Toussaint recognized a man's face.
"That's a Sullivan guy, ain't it?" Toussaint asked. "Viggo, right? Those guys took out Nile Jones."
"Viggo?" Josh exclaimed. "Not the one who nearly got arrested in Clifton trying to ambush Paul Ciceri? I ought to take him to Hoboken and drive a stake through his black heart..."
"I got you covered," Toussaint said, lifting up a pile of newspapers to show a small .38 caliber pistol. "I'll be waiting for you here. Shoot that traitorous nigga."
Josh grabbed the gun and stumbled out of the car, cocking it and slipping it into his waistband.
Inside White Manna, Mick Viggo sat with Melissa, his date, talking to her over their food. She smiled with interest as Mick said, "Hell, I'm in the mafia, I'll admit it. It's not like the Godfather or the Sopranos, you keep everything really secret, on the down low."
"Really?" Melissa, a dark-haired TCNJ student asked.
"Yeah...I'm just a foot soldier, a saighdiúir," Mick said in enthusiasm. "My boss is the captaen, and the godfather is the máistre...I can't give out any names, but his first name is Jackie."
"That's so interesting!" Melissa said with an open mouth. "Is it dangerous?"
"Danger is our life, honey!" Mick answered. "This guy from my crew, Adrian Beckett, got kidnapped early this morning, right on St. Patrick's Day!"
"Have you ever had to whack someone?"
"Well, contracts do get occasionally put out," Mick said with a confident grin. "You can't kill anyone important though. One of our guys back in'92 was planning to fix the New Jersey attorney general's pipes, if you know what I mean. That would be bad for us, so we had to stop him. It's a fascinating life, really."
Josh Blades walked through the door of the restaurant, and walked systematically toward Viggo. He stopped several feet from the windowside counter where Viggo and his date sat.
"Are you Mick Viggo?"
"Yes, I am?" replied Mick, turning to face Josh.
"Glad to hear it," Josh said, nodding his head and reaching inside his waistband to pull out his gun. Holding his arm straight, Josh shot Mick three times through his head, blasting blood all over the glass windows behind him. Melissa screamed and froze, not knowing whether to duck under the table.
Looking through the window of his car, Marcus Toussaint smiled.
The burger cook ducked behind the counter, spatula clanging on the grill. Josh Blades cracked his neck, and walked right back out the door where he had came, leaving Viggo slumped in his chair, blood running down his face.
* * *
PATERSON, SUMMER 1957
Jackie Sullivan, twenty-two, walked out of the Finnerty Family Warehouse into the sunlight. The bustling city of Paterson surrounded him, and the hulking Garret Mountain to the southwest cast a deep shadow onto the city. The noise from the newly-built Interstate 80 cutting through the city flowed down onto the streets as Jackie made his way toward his target.
By a tall church, a man in a dark suit and fedora waited, in stark contrast to Jackie's simple shirt and suspenders. "Tommy-boy?" Jackie asked hesitantly, walking up to the man.
"I understand you're Jackie Sullivan, our new guy," Tom Malley Jr. answered. "Don Finnerty wanted me to bring you with me to see how we run things."
"I'd be honored, sir," Jackie said. "It's hard to get a job, just coming to the States, and I thought that an Irish brotherhood organization could help me."
"My dad came to America in the 1920s, just in time for Prohibition," Malley said as he and Jackie began walking toward a newsstand. "He was made captaen thirty years ago, and his title will pass on to me, if Máistre Finnerty sees fit."
"Máistre Finnerty is the boss?"
"Yeah, he runs all our businesses from above, know what I mean?" Malley answered. "All right, we're going to go break this newsstand bastard's fingers. He's been a little cheap, not paying us in full. You up for it?"
Jackie thought a moment, pursed his lips and said, "All right, mate, count me in."
"As Bogie said, I think this is the start of a beautiful friendship," Tom Malley grinned.
* * *
Josh Blades, Vince Tabano, Steve "Twisted" Mattela and Dave Lodovich sat around Mattela's Car Dealership in Hoboken, discussing the minor war that had flared up between the associates and underlings of the Sullivan and Dimiglio families.
"Don't know about you, but this whole shitstorm began last September when Porcelli got it," Lodovich said. "'Cause then we killed Dickie, and they killed Nile Jones, so we got Beckett..."
"Me and Marcus shot Mick Viggo in Hackensack two days ago," Josh Blades said, making a fist. "Let's see him try to get Big Paulie again!"
"Don't be making big scenes out of things," Tabano said cautiously. "You young men...you're always going around shooting people in public as though you were Michael Corleone in a restaurant. Do it quietly, discreetly, or don't do it at all."
"I'm not too happy with a war anyway," Lodovich said. "Our families used to live in peace together, at least until those FBI scares in March '04. Now there's revenge attacks, and all this horseshit flying around...that brainless wonder Jim Brecher's not helping things either."
"I used to know Jim Brecher," Twisted Mattela said thoughtfully. "His brother Mike was cool, a real down-to-earth guy. Jim, though, he just causes problems wherever he goes, like some kind of family curse. From what I heard, he was the one who got Nile Jones."
"Each family has someone like that," Lodovich said to Mattela, giving a slight glance toward Josh Blades. "At least the capos of both families are intelligent enough. We've got Augusto, Virgino and Ciceri, they've got Malley, McMichael and O'Duinen."
An unmarked car pulled up outside the car dealership, screeching to a halt on the asphalt. "Get to work, guys, we might have a customer," Mattela said. Lodovich and Blades went off to their parts of the building, while Tabano and Mattela walked out to the car.
The doors opened and three FBI agents in dark glasses and black uniforms hustled out of the car, guns drawn. Before Mattela even had the time to curse his luck, they were on top of him, slamming him to the floor, reading him his rights.
Agent Robert Ross, a bland, nondescript man, dragged Mattela up and whispered into his ear, "Your friend Jackie Sullivan sends his regards. You get his son arrested, we're arresting you, you murdering thug."
"Officer...I mean, sir...agent," Tabano asserted, his body still in shock. "What should I..."
Stepping away from his agents, Ross strode over to Tabano. Despite Tabano's considerable size and Ross's average build, Tabano felt a pulse of rare fear through his body.
"You call up Don Carmine and tell him that he can have his war," Ross breathed quietly to Tabano. "And tell him that the FBI works for neither family. Enjoy your day, Tabby-cat."
The agents quickly shoved Mattela into the back of the car, and got in themselves. In under a minute since they arrived, they drove away with their capture, leaving Tabano in the dust behind them.
* * *
Five days after the arrest at Mattela's Car Dealership, Agent Ross was once again involved in Family business, this time in Newark at Peter Malley's restaurant and Irish pub. As Ross confidently stepped into the main room, he saw Peter Malley and Pat Coyle talking to Sergeant Diciccio, who was skeptically nodding his head.
"Listen, the crook's name is Anthony O'Guihen," Peter Malley was saying. "I saw him, I saw his face, I live right above the restaurant. He was in our safe, our private goddamn safe, stealing our cash funds."
"You listen, paddy," Sergeant Diciccio replied, backing Malley off with his hands. "I know your games, your insurance fraud plans. How much do you want the insurance company to reimburse you for? I don't believe there was a thief, and I much less believe you actually saw him and know him."
"He was a waiter here," Pat Coyle interjected frantically. "We fired him for stealing small amounts, but he came back last night to get into our safe. We couldn't catch him in time, we need the Police Department's help."
Noticing Agent Ross, Peter Malley pleaded, "Agent Ross, I heard what you did in Hoboken, arresting those Dimiglio hoods. I respect that, that was honorable, but can you help us out here?"
"I serve the government, not your family and not Don Galantro's family," Ross sneered. "Officer Diciccio, it's my opinion that these two men here are liars and making a fraudulent claim, what's more."
Pat Coyle and Peter Malley's faces fell as Diciccio agreed, saying, "I'm not going to waste my time here with these liars," stressing the last word. Diciccio turned to leave, and Agent Ross followed him, tipping his hat and giving a wry smile.
The authorities had abandoned them, and Coyle and Malley were alone, with their safe broken into and robbed. Their cash emergency fund had been entirely stolen, and they were alone.
"What the fuck is Agent Ross trying to do, start a war?" Pat Coyle burst out, burying his face in his hands along the bar.
"You know what?" Pete Malley replied, looking out through the door. "I think that's exactly what he's trying to do."
* * *
Jackie Sullivan walked into Brecher's Car Shop in Lodi, flanked by his two gunmen, Michael Brecher and John Malley. Jackie looked grim and firm-jawed in a blue polo shirt, his lips tight and his eyes squinted. Michael and John both wore leather jackets concealing their firearms.
"Jim?" Michael called out. "Jackie's here to see you. Where are you?"
The sounds of running feet could be heard, and Jim Brecher, in a tight undershirt and gym shorts, ran from behind the counter of the back offices. "Jackie!" Jim greeted, stepping between the three of them. "You look like a million bucks, pops. Mike, John—"
"Is Alex Collins here?" Jackie asked.
"That sack of shit says he has the flu," Jim said, pulling up his shorts over his exposed briefs. "Sporran's in the back, so I'm not alone exactly."
"Considering the shit you pull, I'm glad you're not alone!" Jackie growled. "I need a goddamn babysitter on your ass every our of the day, do I?"
"Jackie..." Jim stuttered, taking a step back.
"Going to deny it? Go on, I dare you to deny it," hissed Jackie, advancing with a finger outstretched. "Shooting those two guys in the backroom—and Nile Jones was a Dimiglio associate! Do you have any idea what you could have done?"
"It was in the interests of the family," Jim replied defensively. "You know I always pay my cut to the higher-ups, and Jones was screwing me over on the payments. Alex shot Reed, gotta get rid of witnesses..."
"Sporran saw you," Michael Brecher interjected. "You scared the hell out of him, and he told me. Don't go hurting him, though."
"You lay a finger on that boy and you won't have enough fingers left to pick your arse, you brainless fucking child!" Jackie snapped, making a finger-breaking gesture.
"Jackie, I'm sorry, I really am," Jim said, starting to shake, fearing his life. "I want to make the higher-ups and captains happy, I did this for you. I want to get made eventually, I want to get high in the family."
"Made?" Jackie laughed hollowly. "Please. My dog is smarter than you. I'd make him a soldier before you, because all you'll ever amount to be is another sponging, talentless jerkoff!"
Jim's face seemed to crumple, and he stepped back, raising his hands instinctively. He bit his lip, and stepped back further, while Jackie stood his ground. "All right," Jim breathed.
"Don't touch the boy, don't touch any Dimiglio associates, don't do anything," Jackie warned. "Stay out of the family business, and let your brother Mike do what he has to do, without your 'suggestions.' Run your shop, Jim, and pay your cuts to me. It's all you'll ever be good for."
"Yes, Jackie," Jim answered in a shaky voice.
"Glad to hear it," Jackie said, turning to leave. John and Mike wordlessly followed him out of the door, leaving a dejected Jim standing aimlessly in the garage.
Episode 1: The Malleys http://www.ubersite.com/m/87184
Episode 2: To Risk Your Arm http://www.ubersite.com/m/87242
Episode 3: Innocent Until Proven Guilty http://www.ubersite.com/m/87289
Episode 4: Roulettes http://www.ubersite.com/m/87511
Episode 5: Broadside - http://www.ubersite.com/m/87564
Episode 6: Under the Influence - http://www.ubersite.com/m/87706
Episode 7: Broken Glass - http://www.ubersite.com/m/87745
User Reviews
Submitted by BobLobla (user info) at 2006-06-22 15:07:15 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Submitted by Chroniclysm (user info) at 2006-05-16 23:23:35 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Jersey Pride!
Submitted by Axolotl (user info) at 2006-05-16 17:09:35 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Someone dies in the next episode. Any bets?
Submitted by Axolotl (user info) at 2006-05-16 17:08:14 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by MyNameIsTim (user info) at 2006-05-16 15:48:11 (#)
Ranking: 2
niice.
is jackie going to talk to his italian equivalent before things get out of hand? ???????
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Jackie's somewhat instigating the fighting, as it's only associates and not made men attacking one another so far. He doesn't want made men killing each other on either side, because that's when the real problems start. The whole war flared up because of Malley shooting Anthony Porcelli (Dimiglio made man) in Episode 2, so things can very easily get out of hand.
Submitted by Merlina (user info) at 2006-05-16 16:30:34 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by MyNameIsTim (user info) at 2006-05-16 15:49:08 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Submitted by leilani (user info) at 2006-05-16 15:13:25 (#)
Ranking: 2
i live in central jersey (monmouth county)
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see you at point pleasant this summer then.
Submitted by MyNameIsTim (user info) at 2006-05-16 15:48:11 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
niice.
is jackie going to talk to his italian equivalent before things get out of hand? ???????
Submitted by JonnyX (user info) at 2006-05-16 15:22:37 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
rating the poster, not the post.
this post is like a phone book, that barfed.
Submitted by leilani (user info) at 2006-05-16 15:13:25 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
i live in central jersey (monmouth county) but used to spend lots of time with my friends in north jersey..... also i used to live in jersey city.
Submitted by Axolotl (user info) at 2006-05-16 14:53:33 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
I took my driver's test today. It was completely bonesaw.
Our instructor sniped two kids cheating, and said we were all mindless assholes and he'd be happy to see us fail.
Submitted by Axolotl (user info) at 2006-05-16 14:51:09 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
North Jersey too, Leilani? We already have MyNameIsTim, Yes, MichelleNJ, and a bunch of others from the area on Uber.
Submitted by leilani (user info) at 2006-05-16 14:37:02 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
i haven't read any of these but i like the fact that they take place in paterson, etc.
Submitted by ghola (user info) at 2006-05-16 14:36:29 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by professorfuckface (user info) at 2006-05-16 14:13:09 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
stories blow