Post by The Collective on Jul 5, 2017 3:50:39 GMT
TRAPICHE GALLERY-THE DAY AFTER THE ARSON ATTACK
DING DA DING DING DING
Cherise had never heard a customer enter her establishment with such enthusiasm. Just as she sat back in her leather chair, Tony came bursting into the place with a terrified look in his eyes. Having rarely seen that look in their time together, she set her Iphone down immediately and brought her propped up legs to the floor. Before she could say anything, Tony wrapped his arms around her. Deep breaths and a tight hug that could only worry the poor girl even more. After allowing Tony to squeeze her for five seconds, she had to break the hug and seek clarity.
“Tony, what is going on? You’re scarin’ the shit out of me!”
Tony deflated with a sigh, so happy to see his woman still intact. Yet he still couldn’t help shake the nerves until he had her out of there. “Did ya watch the news this mornin’?”
“No...I woke up late and had to run down here. Why?”
“Catena got torched.”
“Catena got torched? What do you me…”
“THE FUCKIN’ CATENA LOUNGE GOT BURNT TO THE FUCKIN’ GROUND!!”
Noticing that his temper was getting the best of him, Tony took a moment out to breathe and get his wits together. It didn’t help that Cherise now shared the same look of panic that laid set in his eyes. “Look….I’m sorry alright? Just really spooked about this shit. That’s why I ran down heah first thing. I wanted ta make sure those goons didn’t get this place while you’re heah.”
“I understand Tony. When did this happen?”
“Last night.”
A sharp shove threw Tony completely off guard as he saw her panic transform to anger. “Why didn’t you call me last night!? What the hell is a matter with you?!”
Both hands were placed up as Tony did his best to calm down his tone. “I was hot myself babe. I had to cool down. I didn’t want ta freak ya out.”
“WELL YOU’RE FREAKIN’ ME OUT RIGHT NOW!!”
What he wanted more than anything is to have those magical words. Just a sentence worth to make everything alright. Instead he stared at his girlfriend at a loss for words. She took a moment to pinch the bridge of her nose, feeling a headache coming on. After a good pinch she looked up to him. “Who did this and why?”
“A punk ass gang who fucked with the wrong Italian. They torched one of the places I own, they’re bound to torch the othah.”
“But….why? What started all of this?”
“Long story. But you know that truck shipment we had high jacked?”
“Yeah what about it?”
“Your boy Martin Pescado was a witness. Saw him in the security footage. They roughed him up a bit. Knowing that little bitch, I betya he squealed on me.”
Hearing that name freaked her out even more. She took a few steps back and instinctively drew a hand to her chest. That pressure on her heart tightening up as she considered the possibility that one of her best art dealers is a corpse, all because of her boyfriend. “Did ya….did you kill him Tony? I haven’t seen him in over a month!!”
A wide eyed stare was broken by a shake of the head. “Pshh, nah babe not me. Now don’t get me wrong, I roughed him up a bit to find out who stole from me. But I didn’t kill him. Nah, it was probably those pieces of shit who are tryin’ to war with me. Now can we get hell out of here please?”
There was a moment of disbelief as she slightly shook her head. A visual circulating of Martin being plastic bag strangled by Tony. The sad thing is, it was vivid. She could totally see him doing it. That horrified look caught on with Tony, who did his best to correct her emotions. “Dammit Cherise I didn’t fuckin’ kill him!! I sweah on my motha’s grave.”
A tear rolled down her cheek as she stared at her man gravely. “I want to believe you Tony. I really do.”
“I know how much he meant to you! Why the fuck would I kill em’? C’mon hon, I got a dark heart but I ain’t heartless. Now...please...take my damn hand.”
Tony’s hand lingered out there, waiting for Cherise’s to join it. Apprehension was strong in her, but ultimately she gave in and took his hand. As the two came up to the door, Cherise flipped the sign back to closed for more than likely the last time. It’s times like this that a woman questions if the high life is really worth being with a gangster.
RED HOOK CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING GYM-SUNDAY, JULY 2ND
Life truly had been a son of a bitch to Tony Tira lately. His former headquarters was burnt to the ground. A rival gang wanted his head. His relationship was barely hanging on. Yet there was one thing keeping him from completely giving up. That one thing being success. Which is why despite having all this drama going on in his life, Tony let out a satisfied grin. His eyes closed, imagining himself holding up the tag titles. That is, until he caught the attention of one of his friends. A light nudge from Frankie caused Tony to snap out of that picture and focus on his jack o’ lantern snarl.
“What the fuck are you smirkin’ at?”
Frankie stared at him hard through the sauna mist, leaving Geno shaking his head at it all. That smirk stayed on Tony’s face, mostly as he couldn’t get over mister pretty boy being toothless. “Relax princess, I ain’t smilin’ about your fucked up grill. I was just thinkin’ about holdin’ up the tag titles with Geno. How fuckin’ good that would feel to hold some gold in pro wresslin’.”
Two thick catchers mitts for hands applauded, startling the crew with the patented Geno clap. “Yes. Def...definitely FUCK yes.”
Hearing Tony's comment got Frankie self conscious, causing him to lip cover his top row in an effort to keep his Benoit teeth concealed. “Yeah well, what happens if ya lose? Then what?”
Something was causing Tony to not want to combat Frankie like he usually would, be it the relaxation of the sauna or vodka shots before. He simply closed his eyes, tipped his head back, and dealt with his angry stablemate calmly. “First off, I ain’t losin’. But even if for some reason we get fucked outta the belts, I know we’re still gonna be on TV. I know we’re still gonna be at the top of the card. Only a few months in and people know who the fuck we are. We’re the Collective, the best fuckin’ stable in PW. Aurora can say all she wants that we ain’t gonna amount to shit if we lose. I beg to diffah. Right Geno?”
Anytime Geno cursed abruptly like he did before brought him instantly into silent mode. He nodded with a thumb raise, not wanting to blurt anything worse than what he already did.
“See? Geno’s got faith in us, but for some reason you don’t think we can do it. Why’s that Frankie? Is that because you’ve been on the losin’ end lately?”
If it wasn’t so steamy you might’ve been able to see the plumes blowing out of Frankie’s ears. “HEY FUCK YOU!! YEAH I LOST A COUPLE MATCHES, SO FUCKIN’ WHAT!?”
Tony wasn’t about to let Frankie ruin this relaxing setting. “Chill out Frankie. You’re way too wound up brotha. You do coke before ya came in here?”
No answer from Frankie. Just a head turn away from Tony with that scowl stapled on his face.
“I ain’t tryin’ to be ya muddah but ya gotta ease up on the powdah. We shouldn’t be fightin’ right now, we should be supportin’ each other.”
“Well then why the fuck you gotta bring up my fucked up teeth and losses? That’s fucked up Tony!!”
A light chuckle from Tony, fully realizing this might piss Frankie off more. “It’s just playful Frankie, I mean nothin’ by it. You almost beat that skinny fuck Finn Whelan. I ain’t doubtin’ ya brotha, you got talent. But that kid has experience, and that outweighs talent.”
Through those wet tendrils of brown hair came a grin from Frankie, realizing the hypocrisy in Tony’s words. “Are ya heahin’ ya self speak? You gonna tell me experience outweighs talent when you’re claimin’ you’re gonna win the tag titles? C’mon Tony.”
“Frankie look heah, I know what I’m in for. But I didn’t pour all this time into the gym for nothin’. I didn’t bust my ass day in and day out to just be a glorified thug. Geno and I are doin’ this because we’ve been given the opportunity of a lifetime. We have no choice in the mattah, we gotta take this ball and run with it all the way to the end zone. I know I’m gonna get my ass kicked. Geno knows he’s in for a fight. But you bettah believe Frankie that I’m comin’ into that match to give my best. I know hell is waitin’ for us, but I ain’t no bitch, and neithah is Geno. Frankie we’re facing the most elite tag team in the industry. Two former PW World Champions. Aurora and Masaru are two of the very best wrestlahs on the planet. Would I evah admit that shit on camera? God no. But I know what the fuck we’re up against. Now stop coverin’ up your fucked up tooth and let’s get out of this sauna before I feel anymore faggy being half naked with ya.”
Laughs from the white towel torso draped gang as they sat up and left the sauna. As Frankie and Geno went to getting their clothes on, Tony made his way to ajar locker. A finger sway opened the door wider, revealing a brown UPS package. On the label it read ‘To: Frankie Starlight’. The gang watched on as Tony removed the package from his locker, smirked at it, then handed it off to Frankie. Suspicious eyes turned to the package, then to Tony.
“What the fuck is this?”
“A package to you dummy. Looks like ya got a secret admirer!”
Geno made a whistling sound with his fingers as Frankie snatched it out of Tony’s hands. Determined crystal blues stared at the package as his eager hands ripped into it, tearing off the cardboard wrapping at the top. Among kernels of styrofoam laid a small white jewelry box. Frankie arched an eyebrow, curious as to who would send him jewelry. That eagerness dissipated, being replaced with cautiousness. With a careful hand he pulled out the box and dropped the wrapping on the ground. Slowly he lifted off the white lid, fully expecting a box of spiders or an anthrax cloud to puff out. Instead he saw what appeared to be two small chocolate candies. “Poison” he muttered before dropping them into the empty lid and setting them down on a bench next to his leg. However when he did that a card drifted out, landing right next to the bench lid. Frankie picked up the card, reading it aloud to his amused friends. “You can’t really have the real ones. I’m attached to them, and my hubby loves them too much. But here’s the substitute so you don’t end up toothless in your pursuit. Smiley face.”
His anger simmered as he read on, knowing just who had sent it. “THAT FUCKIN’ BITCH!!!!”
With a cussing storm brewing, Frankie finished putting on his trademark suit and stormed out of the locker room. Just as he opened the door, Tony made sure to get his attention. “Oh lovah boy!!”
The comment got Frankie to do just what Tony wanted. He pivoted back, giving Tony the perfect cell phone picture opportunity.
#OOC: Word Count 1996