Vincent and Joe had known each other since they were kids. Growing up together, they had always given each other advice. Joe was hoping Vincent could unlock the mystery of the night before. As he neared the flower shop he spotted Pete Guzinberg.
For crying out loud! The bulls will let anyone stand on the corner these days, Joe taunted.
Go fly a kite!
Hey, thats no way to speak to a swanky guy like me.
Oh yeah, youre the cats meow, Pete said, rolling his eyes.
Ah, I was just kidding. Everythings jake between us, right?
Yeah, sure.
Ok, see ya round. Joe entered the flower shop, headed up the stairs, and entered a room where he was greeted by a warm, accented, voice.
Why, if it aint my good friend Joe Morton. How ya been, pal?
Not so good Vinnie. I dont remember what I did last night. I came by to see if you could help me.
You dont remember? Vinnie asked, astonished, We left Milligans around 1:00am . . .
Yeah, yeah. I remember that, Joe interrupted.
Well, I walked with you to your apartment. On the way, we picked up two peppy dames that were really crocked.
Were they pretty?
Ah, not too bad. Vinnie put his hand out and tipped it back and forth emphasizing that they were mediocre, So we went upstairs and had a little fun.
And I dont remember it! Exasperated, Joe sat down in disbelief. How can I not remember a single thing? He questioned silently.
The girls left around three, he said the last word as if he were talking about Arbor Day instead of a number. You were on the couch drinking a bottle of hooch when I took off. Joe decided that he must have hit his head walking into a door while in a drunken stupor, eventually drinking himself unconscious. Vinnie interrupted his thoughts: Joe, you need to beat it, Ive got to make a coupla calls. Ill talk to ya before I leave, all right?
All right, Ive gotta talk to Bugs anyhow. See ya tonight. Joe got up and headed down the stairs. As he entered the showroom a familiar fragrance permeated his senses. He unexpectedly regained part of his memory. He recalled smelling carnations the night before. Where was I? He thought, puzzled. He shrugged off the recollection and continued walking.
George Bugs Moran seemed to be the only member of the gang besides Vinnie and Deanie who trusted him. Bugs was one of the most loyal of the OBanion gang. Joe headed to Milligans hoping to find Bugs in the back room. Sure enough, he was there.
Joe, sit down and ante up, Bugs offered.
Ah, Id love to, but I cant. I came by to let you know that Mike Merlot is on his last leg. Merlot had been a negotiator between the South Side and North Side. He was the only person who kept the peace between the two gangs.
Whattaya talkin about? Bugs said confused. Then turning to the others in the room, I think hes been nippin at the sauce. Bugs put his head back, tipping an imaginary bottle over his mouth. The whole room burst into laughter. All right, all right. Shad up ya monkeys. Tell me what ya talkin about, Joe.
Some people last night told me that hes got cancer. The entire room went silent, waiting for Joe to continue. Joe looked at each of the stunned faces then realized he didnt remember who had told him the news. Hes not spposed to last more than two days. Bugs looked down at his cards, dumbfounded. Is that bad, Bugs?
It could be. Im going to need you to help us for the next coupla days. Things could get hairy. Bugs now looked sad, angry and confused all at once.
Im sorry to be such a wet-blanket Bugs, but I thought you should know.
No, you did good kid, Bugs winked at Joe. But, I really need your help. Ya in?
Joe looked at all of the faces in the room. Hard visages stared at him. Hed been waiting for this moment. All right, he exhaled.
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
That evening Bugs and Joe met in front of Schofields. Vinnie let them in.
All right. Bugs, you go upstairs and watch from the window there. Joe and I will stay down here, Vinnie directed.
Here we go, Joe breathed to himself. The three took their posts. They remained silent and unmoving in the dark and sweet-smelling room. Joe spent most of the night analyzing his amnesia. But as the first light spread across the sky, he still had pieces of the puzzle missing. An invisible heaviness lifted off of Joe when Deanie arrived with Pete, Jaime Weiss, and Two Gun Louie. That wasnt so hard, he thought to himself. .
So, how did you owls do last night? Everything copasetic? inquired Deanie.
Yeah. Bugs replied.
All right fellas, go home and sleep. Feeling confident that he was in, Joe skipped down the steps. An unfamiliar black car drove by. He thought nothing of it and continued on. When he entered his building, something triggered his once hazy memory. Scenes of a kidnapping, beating and warning flooded into his mind. The South Side had told him about Mike. They said when he was gone, nothing stopped them from putting a hit on Deanie. As Joe put the final pieces into place, he heard someone behind him. He swiveled. It was Vinnie.
Mike died last night, he said bleakly.
Deanie is in danger, Joe darted outside. He started towards the flower shop. Vinnie followed close behind. Joe turned the corner just in time to see the tail end of a black Ford. Joe and Vinnie entered the flower shop, brandishing their weapons. The South Side had claimed Deanies life, and Joe knew his life would never be the same again.
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