Marcell Horatio Mario, born and raised in Sicily, spent his days working construction in Brooklyn New York and nights volunteering at the Prospect Park Zoo. He worked hard and never complained. A good honest man. Marcell wasn't terribly tall but he never let his shorter size bother him. He had thick black hair, bright blue eyes and was well on his way to growing a dark, burly mustache. With a strong chin and captivating stare that was very little he couldn't accomplish or convey with a single look. Wearing pale blue shirts, a mathng cap and thick work overalls gave the young man a sense of authority which kept would-be thugs from trying to mess with him.
It was difficult for the hard working bachelor to make ends meet, even on his modest budget. Living alone in New York was tough enough, but having no family anywhere in the country made it all the more difficult for Marcell to feel comfortable.
Marcell had been the first member of his family to immigrate from Italy to the United States of America. When he was only seventeen years of age he had acquired a student visa to travel and study abroad in New York. The family had spent many years saving as much money as possible to help Marcell with his travels and to pay for school while giving him enough money for descent housing. Leaving his parents and kid sister behind Marcell prepared to begin his life in a new land full of new experiences. It was a struggle at first, at least emotionally.
Walking into the small, unfurnished apartment adjacent to N.Y.U. wasn't as thrilling as Marcell had hoped. The building looked nice enough on the outside, but inside the apartment was small and cold. One bedroom, one bathroom, a tiny kitchen with a small sitting area at the center. The only light came from the single light bulb swinging from its cord attached to the ceiling. With only a small suitcase to his name Marcell knew he'd have to work hard to have a life worth living.
Loneliness only intensified as many of the students on campus didn't want to talk to any foreign students, especially those who still carried thick accents. Focusing his studies on engineering Marcell found little time to socialize and spent his free time writing letter back home. He greatly missed his family and was counting down the days until he could return home to see them before bringing the entire family back to New York with him.
Fortunately it didn't take long for Marcell to get a job working construction and gradually his accent began to lessen. His boss Vincent Scapelli, a strict and detailed man, had a soft spot for the soft spoken Italian. The only friend it seemed Marcell had in all the world was his own boss, oh whom he frequently invited to dine with him and his wife. Marcell graciously took Mr. Scapelli's offer and was very humbled to be a part of a family dinner once again.
Two years into his new life as a part time student and part time construction worker his apartment began to look more like a home. A small couch, a worn out chair, a TV set, a bookcase full of manuals and classic novels and a set of curtains over his newly constructed window helped bring the place to life. All was good until an unexpected letter arrived for Marcell. The letter was issued to him by an Italian government official and contained the most devastating news of his life: Three nights earlier there was a accidental fire back at his family home but his family: mother, father and sister, were all killed in the blaze. The only surviving member of the Mario clan sobbed loudly as he fell to his knees and clutched at the heart wrenching letter in his strong, work worn hands.
Heartbroken and feeling completely alone Marcell had no reason to return to Sicily save for the funeral. Remaining in Brooklyn Marcell applied for U.S. citizenship and stayed in New York even after finishing school. Mr. Scapelli, who had long since insisted on Marcell addressing him by his first name after taking a liking to the ambitious student, took care of the younger man our of sheer kindness from his heart. Marcell was only nineteen years old and had no family of his own.
Four years later the painful memories of the letter and the funeral still ached at his heart every day. Now at the age of twenty-three Marcell felt even lonelier whenever he returned to his small apartment. The isolation was numbing and the silence deafening.
Life and energy was abound in the city, but it only existed outside of the forlorn apartment building. Sitting on the stoop and people watching was Marcell's way of reminding himself that life goes on, even after death has paid an unwelcomed visit.
"Marcell, you can't keep working yourself like this." Vincent kindly spoke up as strolled down the sidewalk to sit next to the younger man who was moping on the front stoop of the apartment building. "You're a good kid and you have alot to offer. Why don't you go out and meet a nice girl, tonight?"
Marcell shook his head slightly and looked down at his watch, not surprised to see his good friend checking in on him. "I can't Vince, I have to get to the zoo. I got stuck working the night shift." Marcell's once thick Italian accent now sounded more like a New Yorker, but every so often his natural accent would creep into his speech giving it a distinct sound.
Vince scoffed a little and looked at his own watch. "It's going on seven in the afternoon, who goes to work at this time, huh? Only loonies like yourself!" He playfully teased as he wrapped his arm around Marcell's neck. "But you're MY loony!"
"I'd rather be crazy with a roof over my head, than sane living on the street!" Marcell replied jovially as he shot Vince an amused smirk. "So, are you going to ask again or have you finally accepted my answer?"
"Oh come on, why don't you move in with me and Celia?" Vince hated Marcell living alone and wanted him to feel like he still had family. :You can stay in our son's room now that he's out on his own. And then you can save all that money you're working your butt off for and get yourself a real nice house to call your own."
Marcell took off his hat and rubbed the back of his neck. "Sounds nice, but I don't need a house. This apartment's all I need."
"Marcell," Vince tightened his hand on Marcell's shoulder and squeezed in a supportive manner. "I know you miss your family, but you have to live your life. They didn't send you to New York just so you can call it quits because... Well... You know!"
"I know, I know!" Marcell put his hat back on and sighed heavily. "But, right now I need the distraction. I need to work. I can't stop thinking about them..."
"You need a girl! Trust me, you'll be plenty distracted!"
"Aw Vince, all the girls I met on campus aren't for me! And no girl with any sense of decency would settle for someone like me."
"Some like you, huh?" Vince grinned as he laughed a little at the notion. "A hard working, educated, honest guy who tries his hardest every damn day? Yeah, you're right. No sane girl would ever find you attractive!"
Marcell blushed a little at the compliment. "Vince, do you ever think I'll find the right girl? I mean, the really right girl. Someone I can start a family with, someone I can always count on, someone I can grow old with..." He paused as he wiped a lone tear from his eye before it had the chance to fall and whispered to himself. "Famiglia è tutto quello che voglio. È tutto ciò di cui ho bisogno."
"What was that?" Vince had tried to learn a little Italian to make Marcell feel more at home, but he still struggled with the language. "Something about 'family'?"
"Nothing, I'll see you later Vince. I gotta' go to work." Marcell brushed off the awkward moment with grace and started down the sidewalk with his hands tucked in his overall pockets. Marcell stepped off the stoop and began walking the long trek to the zoo. "Maybe we'll do something tomorrow, eh?"
"Poor kid." Vince said to himself as he watched Marcell disappear down the sidewalk. "He deserves better. Alot better."
Little did either man know that Marcell's life was going to change once more, but this time for the better. And little did anyone else know that the after that night the world and all those connected to it would never be the same.
Walking under the dim glow of the streetlamps Marcell was lost in thought, wondering if all of his hard work would ever pay off. Wondering if he could ever be happy again. Just a block past the zoo was a large construction site that he had been working on for the past few weeks. Bright red steel beams and scaffolds towered over the rest of the buildings as the sun began setting in the distance. It was strange but Marcell felt a sense of pride knowing that he was partly responsible for creating such a magnificent structure.
Sighing Marcell scanned the structure with awe and curiosity. "I wonder how many families could fit in that building once it's completed."
It was then a loud commotion coming from the entrance of the zoo caught his ear. Guests and staff alike were in a panic and evacuating the area. Police and animal control were already at the building with tranquilizer guns and nets at the ready.
"What in the world?!" Marcell thought as he ran the rest of the way to the zoo. He was stopped at the gate by security but he recognized the guard. "Frank, what's going on?"
"Didn't you hear?!" Frank was pale and shaking a little. The tall, intimidating man looked genuinely afraid. "One of the apes escaped from its enclosure!"
"What?! Oh no!" Marcell knew how serious the situation had become. "Which one, do you know?"
"Uh, yeah... The big one. I mean the really big one! That nasty brute with the temper."
"Not him..." Marcell knew exactly which ape was on the loose. "Where's Pam, I should check in."
"She's at the ape habitat answering some questions."
"Thanks, Frank."
Marcell jogged to the ape enclosure, to the 'scene of the crime'. The escaped ape, known as 'Kong' due to his size, was a stubborn beast who didn't take kindly to humans. In fact the zoo staff nicknamed the ape 'Donkey' because he was as stubborn as any farmhands jackass. Then as the ape got older he went from 'Donkey' to 'Cranky'.
"Pam?" Marcell met with his supervisor who had finished speaking with the polie. "Where did he get to? How'd he get out?"
"Marcell," the tall, red headed supervisor was a little surprised to see someone walking into the zoo instead of fleeing in terror. "what're you doing here?"
"I work here, remember?" Marcell teased to try and lighten the mood.
"No, I mean, why aren't you evacuating like the others?"
"I thought maybe I could help."
"Thanks, we need all the help we can get!"
"So how'd he escape?"
"Well, it looks like he took one of the barrels from the pen and used it to smash open the glass. He bolted from the pen and the staff lost track of him. We think he may have actually gotten out of the zoo!"
"But where would he go?" Marcell pondered out loud. The setting sun began shining in his eyes as he tried to think of a solution. Blocking the light with his hand his eye was drawn back to the construction site. "Wait, I think I know!"
"Where?"
"Give me a walkie-talkie. I'll check it out and if I'm right I'll let you know."
"Okay, but be careful." She handed him the requested item from her belt. "Are you sure you want to go alone?"
"It's just a hunch." Marcell replied as he took the radio. "If I'm wrong I don't want to the one who split up the search party for nothing."
"Right, well, just call if you need help!"
"I will." Marcell bravely confirmed as he briskly exited the zoo and walked to the construction site.
Having been a part of the construction since its beginning Marcell knew the location better than anyone else who was a part of the search party. It didn't take him long to scope out the grounds of the site, using the fading light from the setting sun and a half dozen trash barrel bonfires to his advantage.
"Maybe he's not-"
A loud scream pierced the evening quiet. A woman was screaming in fear and panic, and it was coming from atop of the construction site!
"What the...?"
Marcell looked up and saw the escaped ape pounding on his chest at the highest point of the structure, and sitting on a lone beam at his side was a young woman in red. She was in trouble and calling out desperately for help.
"I have to save her!"
...to be continued...