Basta squinted his eyes at the harsh sun. The sky was purple and hazy, the air was thick and hot in the late afternoon of southern Italy. He muttered to himself as he strolled up and down the streets and ally ways of Capricorn's village. Beads of sweat swelled and dripped down his face and neck. With a groan, Basta unbuttoned the first few buttons on his white shirt. He had a light tan covering his skin, but rosy sunburns flushed on his cheeks and flamed around his fine nose.
Shot gun propped against his shoulder, and hand pressed against his forehead, Basta leaned against a wall, his chest rising and falling rapidly. Water he thought, running his tongue over his thin lips. I could really go for a glass of water. But of course he wouldn't get one... his shift lasted four more hours. Four more bloody hours of walking up and down these streets. The sound of footsteps became audible over Basta's shallow breathing. With a groan, his scrambled to an upright position.
"Basta" came a voice from around the corner.
"Yeah, what do you want?" He waited for the other black jacket to appear. Nabber's tall figure strolled around the corner. Basta smirked. Nabber was a new addition to the black jacket clan. He was a lanky Italian boy. He had closely cropped hair and a boyish grin.
"Capricorn wants you to know that you've been relocated to river patrol." Nabber dabbed his wet forehead with his hand.
"Oh yeah?" Basta smirked. Perfect! He picked up his shotgun and began the downhill trek east ward; to the river. As he walked through the sluggish heat, Basta thought of the other black jackets; ones he had befriended. Firstly there was Raven: a bisexual, blond haired asshole. The kid was younger than Basta; in his early twenties. He was thin and strong, and had more of a build than Basta; which envied the older man. He had also gotten on Gar's good side; Gar was well in his thirty's and smoked joints and had sex with women he did not know. Basta enjoyed Gar's wise cracks and stories. But on the most part, Basta kept to himself. The other black jackets did not like the fact that he had Capricorn's ear, and that he, unlike everyone else, had permission to wear a white shirt under his unique jacket.
The river's murky water flowed slowly through the narrow, shallow canal. Basta sat down under the shade of a mature Olive tree and sighed in content. The sun illuminated the water, revealing the little minnows swarming algae. As a kid, Basta loved minnows. While in the Ink world, he spent his time in the shallow end of the lake, diving under the clear water, scooping up fish and rocks in his little hands, and then bobbing the surface, taking in deep lungfuls of fresh lake air. Now, at the age of twenty six, Basta had no hobbies, no girlfriend, and barely any friends. All he had was a nasty temper and bi-polar disorder to match. As he sat on the dry, coarse dirt, Basta removed his black jacket, and finished unbuttoning his shirt, revealing his flat abs and small, light trail of hair disappearing into his pants. He sighed again, and closed his eyes. River patrol was easy; nothing ever happened down on the river bank except sleep, drugs, masturbation and alcohol; but all in small amounts.
Basta began to doze off; sleep Dangled before his eyelids, calling him forward into a dream. I'm comin' he thought drowsily. But, shortly after his eyes had closed, the sound of footsteps roused Basta from his sleep.
"Who's there?" He called groggily, fumbling to grab his shotgun. Another rustle. Basta rubbed his eyes, and swept his dark brown hair out of his eyes. There was no response; instead, Basta was struck on the back of the head. "OOF!" He fell face first into the hard dirt. "Who are you?" Snapped the young man, fumbling to his feet. He wheeled around, coming face to face with a woman. "YOU BITCH" he spat.
"That's not nice" her tanned skin crinkled as she smiled.
"What the HELL did you hit me for?"
"I didn't know if you were dangerous or not."
"Dangerous? I'll show you dangerous!" he took a step forward, but the woman grabbed Basta's shotgun. At first he was alarmed, and then he laughed. "You can't shoot that" he chuckled. The woman glared at him then held it in front of his face. "Ok, that's enough." Basta went to take a handful of the woman's hair, but all he got was a fistful of dreadlocks. "EWW" he cried, releasing her promptly. He grabbed her arm instead. With a grunt, Basta hauled her up the river bank, into Capricorn's village. The woman cried and protested all the way through the village. Many other black jackets stopped their patrol and followed Basta towards Capricorn's house.
"She's hot" Basta heard someone say. He nearly gagged in disgust. The lady he was hauling along was not attractive at all! She had dreadlocks, for one, and smelled like a dead dog.
"You get to meet Capricorn" purred Basta, shoving her into Capricorn's mansion. Up the creaky stairs they went, passing in between the plaster hallways, past open windows, and to the bedroom where Capricorn loved to spend hot afternoons. "Capricorn" said Basta, his voice breaking the silence.
"WHAT?"
"I have a special guest for you." Basta yanked on the woman's arm when she tried to escape his grasp.
"Do you now?" The door opened, revealing Capricorn's lanky frame. His short white blond hair seemed to be pressed flatter against his head in the humid heat. "Well, well, what do we have here?" Capricorn grinned in the woman's face. "What's your name?"
"You have been expecting me." The dreadlock lady sneered in Capricorn's face.
"Leave her with me." Said Capricorn, waving Basta away.
"Alright, whatever you say sir."
"Oh, and Basta, you may have the rest of the day off."
"Thank you!" Basta turned to leave, but Capricorn interrupted.
"But Basta, do not torment the maids." Basta rolled his eyes as he walked away. He didn't even like the maids that much anyways...he just needed to do the deed before he got any older...or died. Nobody wanted to die a virgin... except for nuns. And Basta was no nun.
"Hey Basta! Who was that chick?" Gar joined Basta's side.
"Dunno. Found her on the river bank."
"Yeah? Didja do her?"
"What? Her? God, no!" Basta shuddered at the thought. Being a raging germophopbic, Basta had a hard time finding someone to 'do'. Despite his fine good looks and exotic green eyes, nobody wanted Basta either.
"You'll never find anyone." Sneered Gar.
"Ye ye. Shut up." Gar chuckled and put one of his huge hands on Basta's narrow shoulder.
"You have the day off?"
"Ye." Basta tilted his head in a half nod.
"Join Mr. Wink and I. We're going into town." Gar ran a hand through his sandy brown hair. Basta dragged a sigh.
"Maybeeee"
"Awe, Basta...we'll find you a girl."
"You think?" Basta chuckled and twirled a cigarette in his fingers.
"Sure! Why not." Gar stretched his long, muscular arms.
"A brunette?"
"What's with you and brunettes anyways? Blondes are where it's at!"
"But Gar! Blondes are the worst. They're stuck up b-i-t-c-h-es!"
"That's why you get on their good side." Gar winked.
"Sure whatever. Let's find Mr. Wink and get the hell out of here." Basta shook his head and tossed his shotgun at a younger black jacket standing on the corner. "On my doorstep. You hear me?" The kid nodded nervously and scurried off towards Basta's dilapidated house. "If not..."he raised an eyebrow. Gar laughed.
"You prick" he said with a snicker.
"What? It's my gun!" Basta threw his arms up in exasperation.
"Relax man. Hey! Wink! Get over here!" A man standing beside a red car in the parking lot looked up.
"We're leaving?"
"Yeah!" Gar motioned at Basta. "He's coming too."
"Oh great. No chicks tonight." Mr. Wink shook his head in dismay. Basta narrowed his sadly sloped eyes. Mr. Wink was in fact outstandingly attractive. He stood at six feet tall, and had light brown hair, cropped short. His eyes were twinkling grey, his skin a tanned olive. He got more chicks than any of the other black jackets; the maids volunteered themselves for him. Basta never understood that.
"Let's just get going, OK?" He hopped in the passenger seat of the car, and draped his arm on the open window.
"How come you get shotgun?" Snapped Gar.
"Cause." Gar grumbled to himself as he crawled into the backseat.
"Let's go!" Cried Mr. Wink with a grin. He revved the engine, and off they went, speeding along the highway.
"Where are we off to?" Asked Basta once the sun started setting and the nearest town was near.
"Night club" said Mr. Wink with a grin.
"WOOHOO!" Gar hooted from the backseat.
The black jackets pulled into the city, into the parking lot of the nightclub. Women in flashy dresses were strutting into the cement building, where throbbing music was swelling from.
"Are you ready?" Gar hopped out of the car and popped the collar on his jacket. Basta nervously swung open the door and followed his buddies into the club.
The only lights were the strobe and spotlights dotting the dance floor. People danced wildly alone and with each other. Basta wanted to turn and leave. I don't dance! Or mingle... or anything social!
"Get your ass up there" snapped Gar, patting Basta on the back. "Find a chick! If you have issues, give me a signal!"
"Can't hear you over the music" muttered Basta, pointing at his ear. "Sorry!" But he heard Gar perfectly fine. He just wanted to be left alone. He left his comrades and squeezed his way through the masses of people dancing to the rave music. He found a girl, sitting at a table by the bar, alone. Basta licked his lips and pushed his way over to the lady. "Hey" he said, tilting his head cockily. The woman looked up at him, a smile appearing on her large, pouty lips.
"Hey."
"You uh, you want to chat?" Basta gulped. The woman raised one of her thick eyebrows.
"Maybe."
"Oh. Uh... ok?" Basta felt his face heat up. Beads of sweat formed on his forehead.
"Sit." He promptly obeyed, making the chair clatter. The woman laughed, and swished her drink in its glass. "I'm not going to lie. You are smoking hot." The woman grinned devilishly.
"Oh ye?"
"What's your name?"
"Basta." The man stuttered, and avoided eye contact with the woman in front of him.
"Well Basta, my name is Brandy." She winked.
"Brandy? Like...the drink?" The woman laughed.
"Sure. Like the drink. You like your brandy?"
"Ye."
"Want some?"
"Sure thing" Basta grinned hugely, showing all his teeth. Then he made his mistake. "I've never had a girl before."
"Oh." Brandy's expression changed.
"Uh"
"No. That's ok." Brandy got up and left, strutting towards the dance floor. At first his eyebrows raised, then his head hit the table.
"Great" he muttered to himself.
The night dragged on and on along with the music played at the club. Basta checked his watch at one am: time to meet at the car. He scuffed the pavement on the parking lot as he made his way to the red car. Sure enough, Mr. Wink was already there; he had Brandy laid across the hood of the car. His hand was up her dress, between her tanned legs.
"Ah, fuck" muttered Basta, pulling out a cigarette. He always teased himself with the little white sticks; smoke, or no smoke? He usually put the thing back in his jean pocket and pretended it wasn't there, but today he set it between his teeth and lit the end. He took in a deep breath, filling his entire chest with smoke. He nearly coughed before exhaling. Stupid he thought to himself. Not very healthy at all. But who really gave a damn in the end? Nobody wanted Basta.
"You done there, Wink?" Snapped the young man, taking another drag. Brandy moaned deep in her throat and went for Mr. Wink's belt. "Fuck." Basta wanted to leave, but at the same time this was all too entertaining. Live porno, here in the Club's parking lot! Basta couldn't wait for Gar to arrive. Sure enough the man showed up not long before Wink's pants dropped down to his ankles. "Hey Gar, get a load of this!" Basta snatched the whiskey out of Gar's hand and pointed at Brandy and Wink. The black jacket was thrusting madly into Brady, who whimpered and moaned and tugged at Wink's shirt.
"Holy shit! Major score on that one!"
"No kidding. She was mine when we first got here."
"Oh shit really? That was her?"
"Ye"
"Day-um" said Gar, chuckling in his throat. "She's easy what did you say to fuck this one up?"
"Doesn't matter. MR. WINK HURRY UP!" Basta hollered at his friend before downing a mouthful of whiskey and dragging on his cigarette.
"Let's just leave" laughed Gar.
"Not a bad idea." Basta muttered to himself as he heard Wink reach his peak. "Has Wink been drinking?"
"More than you."
"Really? Damn. You?"
"Not so much." Gar shrugged. "I'll drive."
"Alright. Shotgun. WINK! Get your bitch off the hood of our car!" Basta's cheeks flushed pink. Despite the fact that Brandy was a filthy ho, Basta felt jealous that his friend was getting laid, for the millionth time, while Basta remained untouched. "So help me god" he said under his breath, climbing into the passenger seat. Nice view of Brandy's ass he noted, propping his knees up on the glove box. He downed a sip of whiskey, shook his head and yawned. Gar shuffled into the driver's seat.
"Would it be fucking hilarious or what if I turned on the windshield wipers?" Gar chuckled devilishly to himself.
"Bastard" laughed Basta. "Do it." Gar started the car, which startled Brandy into leaping off the hood of the car. "Rev the engine." Gar revved the engine. Brandy blinked at them from the headlights, and flipped them off. Basta gave her the finger right back. "UP YOURS, BITCH!" He and Gar laughed as Brandy staggered off towards the club. The back door opened, and in spilled Mr. Wink, his face covered in lipstick.
"Hot night?" Said Gar, pulling out of the parking lot.
"You talk like a bitch" snapped Wink, buttoning up his pants.
"You are a fucking jack ass." Laughed Gar. Basta remained silent as the two men bickered and spat the rest of the drive home. He just stared out the front window, watching the black highway slip under the headlights, mile by mile. Why he mused, sipping the hot whiskey why does nobody want to love me? Even for one night.
When Basta awoke the next morning, he thought of two things. The first being his awful hangover. The second being the mysterious dreadlock woman he met along the river bank. He decided that he would visit Capricorn later in the day and find out about the woman.
With a sigh, Basta leaned against his counter. He was wearing only his black skinny jeans; it was far too hot for a shirt. Even a white button up.
"I really don't want to work today." Basta muttered to himself and put a hand to his aching head. He fished through one of his cupboards for a yellow bottle of pain reliever pills. He threw his head back and swallowed four. Four was too much; Basta being a small man, standing at 5'7, should have taken less, but drugs and alcohol had begun to be a problem.
Basta made his way into the church, where breakfast was held. Tones of black jackets argued and bickered over their plates of bread and stained coffee mugs. Basta took an apple out of a basket and made his way over to the table where he and his friends ate.
``Basta!`` Said Gar, a smile appearing on his face.
``Morning`` muttered the young man, reaching for a mug of coffee.
``Too much to drink last night?"
"Ye"
"When will you learn?" Laughed Gar. "You are an alcoholic, man! You need help!"
"No I don't" hissed Basta. But inside, beneath it all, Basta ached for somebody else to notice. He knew Gar didn't give a shit. "We're all just idiots" he muttered to himself.
Basta nibbled his apple without saying another word to Gar. But after the fruit was finished, Capricorn appeared in the church, the mysterious dreadlock lady beside him.
"THAT'S HER" He hissed to Gar. "That's the one I found by the river!"
"I know." Gar chuckled over his coffee. "You want in her pants?" Basta ignored Gar's comment and got to his feet. He followed Capricorn up to the front of the church.
"Hello Basta" said Capricorn. "Meet Kinje."
"Kinje?"
"She's our newest Black jacket."
"WHAT?"
"That's right" purred Capricorn, putting a hand on Kinje's shoulder.
"A woman?" Basta's voice squeaked boyishly.
"Yes. Now stop asking questions. I am about to explain." And explain he did. Capricorn rattled off about the newest black jacket: Kinje. Basta saw the rest of the black clad men murmur amongst themselves, wondering what the hell a woman named Kinje was doing as a black jacket. When the church fell silent and Kinje was asked to put on her uniform, Basta turned to his master.
"Capricorn! We can't have a woman black jacket!"
"With your accent, Basta, you sound completely ridiculous protesting." Basta raised his eyebrows sky high. What's wrong with my accent? Nothing is wrong with Scottish/British! Kinje turned to face them once she was dressed. Basta gulped. She wore black dress pants, black shoes, and a black blazer; which opened around her breasts, showing off her full red D cups. "Welcome" said Capricorn.
"You can't do this" whined Basta, walking along Capricorn's side to the mansion.
"I just did"
"But Capricorn! She's oblivious! And useless with a gun..."
"Who ever said she was using a gun?" Capricorn narrowed his eyes.
"But she's a black jacket"
"She's actually more like... a manager."
"MANAGER? You've hired a WOMAN as a MANAGER?"
"Sure, why not?"
"B-b-b-b-because!" Spat Basta, throwing his arms out in exasperations. "You can't do this!"
"Basta, I don't think you understand. Kinje was sent by our Northern outpost. I've been expecting her."
"Oh really?" Basta's tone changed to one of pure poison.
"She has something very important. Something that we need."
"What might that be?"
"The box."
"Box? A box? You sent some cheap hooker to get bring you a fucking BOX?"
"The box, Basta, is a very important tool used by one of Italy's finest mobs. It holds different locations in it. The black jacket to pull that location from the box must go there and find the person whom we must...exterminate." Capricorn smiled icily.
"Ye, that just made a whole lot of sense." Basta shook his head in frustration. Box? Box? What fucking box? AHG! He wanted to cry out, but he kept his anger at bay.
"YOU will be pulling a location from the box tonight."
"What? I'm going away?"
"Yes."
"When do I leave? Tonight."
The church was crowded when Basta walked inside. Everyone was chatting amongst themselves, discussing the mysterious box their master had told them about.
"Basta has arrived" announced Capricorn, a smile on his lips. Basta made his way to the altar, where a strange black box was placed.
"Pick a chip out of the box, Basta." Kinje winked at him. He shot her an icy glare before pulling a cold silver chip from the box. Written in fine red writing was Fernie, British Columbia, Canada.