"Ohmanohmanohman," gasped Keith Bauer as he raced through the streets. The Bostonian was quick on his feet, dodging bins and leaping over discarded couches, television sets, kitchen cabinets and even the odd motor or too. It had to be collection day, everyone had something to get rid of. He risked a glance behind him and noticed that the men chasing him didn't appear to be gaining much ground. Bauer was naturally fast. In fact, if he had ever been bothered to actually train, he most likely could have been a great professional track-runner. But of course, it was 'too much work'. But when he felt the need for speed, he bolted like a deer. He was definitely feeling the need now!

Sure the day hadn't started off with him running for his life. In fact, that day had been relatively good. Fantastic even. It was a Saturday, meaning that he didn't have to work, not that his job as a delivery boy was particularly stressful. He didn't even have to drive the van, just leap out as they got to each destination, drop off the package, get a signature and that was it. The pay wasn't great, but each dollar was another step closer to getting his own car. It was a little embarrassing to be the only one of his friends without one, especially with his twentieth birthday only weeks away. His mother, a five-year widow worked a few shifts down at the local diner - like today for instance- and his older brother was in the Army reserves, so he had the house to himself.

After finally waking up at ten minutes to midday, he planned on doing nothing more than just kicking it around home, watch some TV, until he remembered he had a lunch date with Sareena, probably the hottest girl in the neighborhood. He'd finally mustered the courage to ask her out, and he'd be damned if he stood her up. He rushed around, getting dressed as quickly as he could. Although he would be pushing it, he managed to shower, shave and was out the door in half an hour. His mother had ended up taking her car after all, so he was stuck with the bus. Fortunately, it was actually running on time for once.

"Keith!" she had called out, waving to him from across the road, when he arrived.

"Hey pretty lady," he had said, "Sorry I'm late, I stopped to help an old lady get her cat down from a tree after saving a whole bunch of children from a burning orphanage."

She laughed.

"It's okay, you aren't that late hero. I'll let you make it up to me for buying lunch."

"Sure thing Sareena."

And so they ate, talked, he managed not to spill anything on either himself or his date. Everything was going fine. Then they decided to go for a walk in the nearby park. It was a pleasant warm afternoon and hardly anyone was around. She had excused herself to go to the ladies' room, which was in surprisingly good condition considering it was a public bathroom.

Which is when things started to go downhill.

Keith wasn't sure, but he could have sworn he had heard someone scream. At first he just ignored it, whatever it was, it wasn't his problem. But then he thought that if he went to investigate, it might be a way to really impress Sareena. That would definitely get him some lip-action. Smirking, he jogged towards the sound. As he parted the bushes, he wished he hadn't. It was a middle aged woman, getting mugged by three guys, roughly his age. A bald man and another with a snake tattoo on his right arm pinned her arms back while the third – who was wearing a leather jacket- went through her purse. Bauer figured that if he was quiet enough, he could sneak away, find Sareena and then get the hell out of there. But the lady had seen him and screamed for him to help.

"Hey, that kid, he's gonna rat us out!" exclaimed Tattoo

"Not if we shut him up first," Jacket replied and the chase was on. The woman was forgotten.

So there he was, being chased by three very unpleasant individuals. He ducked into a side alley, sprinting for all he was worth, the punks weren't far behind. Naturally, there was a dead end, but that didn't stop him. He leaped up, using the dumpster to kick off and propel himself towards the wall. Managing to get a grip with both hands, he scrambled up and over. Keith hit the ground running, took a sharp right, then climbed the chain-link fence. When he landed, he paused for a moment to catch his breath, before a sound alerted him to the fact that he was not alone. It was Baldy. He must have separated and taken a short-cut to intercept him and was now holding a wooden baseball bat. He could hear the others behind him. Fueled with adrenaline, Keith charged in, low and fast, before Baldy could swing properly and shoulder-charged him. Playing football in high school sure paid off. Not that he really showed up for training for that either. He played to meet cheerleaders.

Because Baldy was down, he now had a weapon. Hiding, he waited until they rounded the corner before taking a wild swing. The bat caught Jacket on the shoulder, followed up with a kick to the groin. Then he jabbed the bat into Tattoo's stomach.

"Steeeerrrrrrike three, you're outta there," quipped Keith as the punk sank too his knees. "Nobody messes with Bauer!"

"Hey, what the hell?"

Keith turned and saw another two guys, armed with some heavy looking chains. Baldy was getting up as well, pulling a switchblade from his pocket. Keith dropped the bat and ran.

"Crap! Crap! Crap!"

As he raced out onto the street, a black sedan pulled up next to him.

"Hurry, get in!" a female voice said as the passenger door swung open. He didn't hesitate. The tires screeched as they pulled away, leaving the punks choking on the dust. Keith took a look at his rescuer, an attractive thirty-something woman, dressed entirely in red.

"Uh....thanks for the save lady," he said when they reached the main street, becoming part of the traffic flow. "Do you think you could drop me off at the park?"

"I'm afraid that won't be possible Mr. Bauer."

"What do you mean it won't be possible? And how do you know my name?"

"I know quite a bit about you, but that's beside the point."

"But who are you?"

"That's on a need to know basis, which you don't. What you do need to know is that the company I work for has had there eye on you for a while now, and we have a job for you.

"Thanks, but I already have one."

"One that pays over two hundred grand a year?"

If Keith had been eating anything, he would have choked in shock.

"Well no, but the hours are decent," he said and chuckled at his own joke.

The lady in red wasn't laughing.

"Uh...but anyway, I don't think want to get into anything without some more info. I'm pretty happy where I am."

The lady applied the brakes and turned to look at him.

"Mr. Bauer, you have a choice. You can come and work for us at Reliable Excavators and Demolitions, or I could take you back to your friends back there and let you sort out your differences by yourself. But make your decision quickly, we are on a tight schedule."

Keith thought about this. There was no way he wanted to go back there. Sure, Sareena would probably wonder what had happened to him and maybe even never want to see him again, but there were other fish in the sea.

"Okay, let's do this then."

A faint trace of a smile crossed her face and started moving again.

"Don't worry about telling your family, we will have that taken care of."

***

"Don't worry about your family, they will be taken care of."

Meanwhile, across the globe, a thickset, pug-faced man pulled off his green pinstripe jacket. Giovanni Gambino faced the man in front of him, who's arms and legs were tied so that he was pinned up against the wall like a butterfly in a display case. The look of defiance in his eyes was obvious, but it was Giovanni's job to turn it into fear. Not for nothing was he one of the top enforcers for the mob. He slipped a set of brass knuckles over his hand then drove his fist into the man's gut.

"Did you really think you could get away with stealing from the Gambinos Joey? What is it with you Americans eh? Always tryin' to muscle in on somebody else's turf, tryin' to take away what some poor guy has worked so hard to earn? Whaddaya gotta say for ya self huh?"

"Kiss... my... ass.." said Joey as he gasped for air.

"Wrong answer," the mobster replied and hit the American three more times. This was probably his favorite part of his job. He enjoyed inflicting pain on those that crossed him or his family. Being the primary enforcer for his uncle Leo - the Don- the opportunity often presented itself.

"Again, where are they. Seven million in white goods don't just 'get lost'. My uncle is growing impatient."

"Bite me!"

Gambino wrapped a meaty hand around the man's face and slammed his head back against the wall.

"Don't tempt me."

He let go and walked back over to the table, where he picked up a baseball bat. A Louisville slugger to be precise.

"I gotta say one thing about you Americans. You sure know how to make a good bat."

Then he swung out, bringing the weapon down on Joey's kneecap. Joey howled in pain. Gambino grabbed the duct-tape from off the table and sealed his victim's mouth shut.

"Maybe you'll be a little more cooperative with a few less fingers.

Joey's eyes widened in horror and gave a muffled cry as his captor took a length of piano wire and held it taut.

"Welcome to Italy eh?"

Ten minutes later, he stepped outside, leaving Joey alone and sobbing in the dark. His lookout, Tony had just been on his mobile phone.

"Your uncle just called, he wants to see you now."

"Alright, take Joey for a little ride to the docks. See if he squeals. If he doesn't...." the sentence didn't need finishing.

"No problem Gio."

The first thing Gambino noticed as he stepped into his uncle's office is that they were not alone. Sitting awkwardly in one of the big leather chairs, was a small, balding man, dressed in a smart blue dinner suite.

"Hello Giovanni," Leo said, motioning for him to sit. "I trust that the business with our.....friend was resolved?"

"Not quite sir. But Tony is working on it as we speak."

"Good." The Don inclined his head towards the man in blue. "This man here is Mr. Smith. He has a rather interesting proposal for you."

Gambino looked the man up and down warily. He guessed that Smith wasn't the man's real name.

"Er....yes. Mr. Gambino, I represent a company known as the Builders League United and although we try not to pry in the affairs of your," he paused, choosing his words carefully. "...business, we could not but help noticing your....shall we say....talents in your chosen profession. Therefore, we'd like to offer you a chance to work with us. The pay will be quite substantial and you will be free to leave anytime you like."

Giovanni raised an eyebrow. He'd never heard of this company, but obviously his uncle had.

"We cannot reveal anything more to you until you accept, however we will be leaving the country immediately."

Gambino stood up and paced over to the window, looking out over the city.

"Mr. Smith. While I am flattered by such a generous offer, I'm afraid I'm going to have to decline."

"Very well, the choice is yours. I do hope that you will reconsider," said Smith and prepared to leave.

"Wait a minute!" commanded the Don. He got up and joined his enforcer over by the window.

"Giovanni, listen to me. I want you to accept this man's proposition," he said in their native tongue.

"But Uncle, I cannot go, my place is here by your side."

"I am touched by your loyalty my friend. You are a good man. But..."

"But I can't leave Sally. She is expecting our first child!"

"You will only be gone for a while, you'll be back in time to be with your wife. Look, you have been like a son to me. You have done much for the family and you are good at what you do. But I think that perhaps it is time to stretch your wings. When was the last time you were out of Naples? '99?"

"It was only five years ago sir, but I wish..."

"Ah....no arguments. I am asking you to go, not only as your uncle, but as the Don," Leo didn't normally throw his title around, so when he did, he was serious. "Tony can take over for a while and Sally will be cared for. Don't worry, you'll be back before you know it."

Gambino sighed and turned to the representative.

"Well?" asked Smith.

"I accept."

"Excellent. The driver is waiting outside. Don't worry about clothes or equipment, everything will be provided for you. You may call your wife when we get there."

Gambino hugged his uncle goodbye.

"Well sir, I must thank you for....er...lending me your nephew. Your money should arrive by tomorrow. It has been a pleasure doing business with you."

Leo Gambino nodded.

"Just make sure he comes back alive and well or you will never walk again."

"Understood sir."

And then they left.