\DW: Another chapter!
Anyone know any really good addictive songs? They came be oldies or newbies?Doesn't matter.
John walked the streets of Chicago, headed in no particular direction. Today was his and Courtney's day off from the office. He had a thought to walk over to her apartment and ask her out to lunch again. Courtney intrigued him in way no other woman had before. She was so mysterious and secretive. And very pretty! John liked the thought of spending more time with her.
But, Coutney seemed liked the kind of girl, that kept things and thoughts to herself. Something wasn't right about her, the way she knew the things about the massacares that happened a few years ago. If only there was some way to go back and find the old case file and newspaper. If not there, then he could always go pull up old newspapers from the library. He did have a friend in the newspaper business, and he never threw anything out.
For the first time since his walk began, he looked up to find where he was. He was close to the post office and a few streets over from his friend's printing shop. Perhaps he should venture to the post office to send a telegram to Julia in New York. John crossed the street and kept straight for the post office. Will, the old post office master was inside as usual. Looking through his old stamp collection, one of the many he had.
John bounded up the three steps and entered the partial warm shop. Feeling the cold wind immediately, Will looked up with his thick rimmed glasses. His eyes squinted to see who has disturbed him and let in the cold air. He smiled, once figuring out that it was one of his best costumers. "Evening!" he called to John.
John took his gloves off and gave his old friend a smile. "Hello, Will. How are you?"
Will laughed, "Old. I suppose you want to send another telegram to Julia? Right?" Will was already headed towards the telegram machine before John could answer. John followed him over there, "She hasn't responded?" he asked.
Will shook his head, "Nope."
John pursed his lips, it had been nearly a week since he last heard from Julia. He had asked when she would be arriving with his son and if she needed some money for the trip. He began to get worried that something had happened to her and the baby.
"What do you want to say?" Will asked, his fingers ready for John to speak.
John shrugged and said, "Just tell her that I want to speak from her and that I'm worried". John dug into his pocket and drew out his wallet. Walking back to the counter, he could hear Will at work with the machine. He didn't even wait for him to finish, but set some money on the counter and exited.
John finally arrived at the warm Printing shop and found his friend hard at work, printing out tomorrow's edition. Thomas looked up from his work, "Who in the-" his words were cut off when he saw his friend, standing at the door looking cold. "For Christ sake, John!" he said, "Go over by the fire and warm up!"
John gave his friend a sheepish grin, "Thank you. But, I'll be fine".
Thomas shrugged and continued to push out papers. "So, what brings you here? I know you didn't come to help me, you lazy bastard".
"I actually found a job, thank you!" John took a seat next to his friend on a wooden stool. "I work for Landers down on Poole St."
Thomas laughed, "Nice guy, huh? Heard from that broad of yours in New York?"
John grimaced, "She's not a broad. And I just sent another telegram to her."
"Because she didn't respond to the first one, right?" Thomas wiped his brow quickly before going on with his work. John crossed his legs and leaned agaisnt the nearest table. "You busy tonight, Tom?" John asked.
"Nah, just pushing out these last few papers. Then I gotta bundle them up and set 'em outside the door for the delivery man. Why? You thinkin' about stayin' and helpin' out?" Thomas stopped and leaned one arm agaisnt the printing machine, waiting for John's answer. John rubbed the back of his neck, trying to find the right words.
"Actually," he started, "I was hoping you could find me an old article".
Thomas's brow furrowed, "How far are we talkin?"
"Like six months back".
"Do you remember what it was about?"
John sighed, suddenly becoming nervous. "About those mass killings of gangsters. You remember the one, right? I need to look up a few details that was in the article."
Thomas had gone back to his printing. "Oh yeah, I remember that! I can find that one easily! I kept it, see, because of that pretty brunette that was headlined in there. Talk about a face!"
Thomas abandoned his printing and walked to the side closet of the shop. He pulled a light string, and walked in mumbling about where it should be. John also left his spot on the stool, to follow Thomas inside the small closet. Inside, one dim light bulb dangled from the paint peeling ceiling. There were yellow aged clipings from old newspapers, that decorated the walls. There was also labeled boxes upon boxes, sitting on shelves.
Thomas went to the exact box that contained the newspaper clipings from beginning of May 1919 to that same summer. John waited patiently while Thomas rumaged through the box. "Got it!" he exclaimed and held the paper up in triumph. He handed it to John while he replaced the box and turned off the light.
John headed back to seat, while skimming the magazine. He found the large article on the next page."Written by Trent Goins," he mumbled. The article talked about how each gangster was brutally murdered. Pictures of the blood speaping men were shown at the bottom. Next to it was a mug shot of gangster Duncan and his girlfriend. "Courtney".
The girl had shoulder length brown hair. Dark, black, orbs that seemed to burn write into the paper. Her playful smile was the most attractive about her. John thought of the Courtney he had just met. The last names were different, but anyone can lie about their last names. Courtney's hair was just a little bit more longer than the girl in the paper. The big difference between the girl and Courtney, was that, this girl smiled like she had the whole world in her hands. Courtney didn't smile like that.
John went on to read that Duncan and suspected girlfriend, Courtney were seen together that night at the Theater. They had an argument and Duncan fled the Theater. Later that night, Duncan reportedly came back to the Theater to pick up Courtney. Hours later he was found shot, in the dark hallways of the Theater. Courtney was no where in sight.
"Find what you're looking for?" Thomas asked, stringing together bundles of newspapers.
John sighed and looked down at the article again. "Yeah, I did. Say buddy, you mind if I keep this for a while?"
Thomas was bent over his work and shrugged. "Sure".
John tucked the paper in his back pocket. He retrieved his coat, that was laid over a stack of blank papers. He took out his gloves and placed them on his hands. Thomas noticed him putting all his gear on and said, "Wait! I thought you were going to help me!"
John was already at the door, "You've done this yourself for the past ten years. I'm sure you can manage another night". John gave his friend a playful smile before walking out the printing shop. With strands of 'you lazy bastard' floating behind him.
The next morning, Courtney was met with sprinking of snow outside. She hated the cold and the snow. The only reason she came to Chicago in the first place, was to sell some of her paintings to a famous artist. She had only planned to stay a couple of months or so before going some place warmer. But, she had met Duncan and all her hopes and dreams were gone.
Not completely. She still painted in her spare time.
Duncan had told Courtney to make sure that she looked especially beautiful that day. He said gangsters go more easier on a pretty face. Courtney had her freshly curled. Her makeup had taken hours to do. Her dress was shorter than she liked it to be. Courtney was, what any man would call a fox.
She arrived early to the race tracks to place her bet. Courtney passed by a couple of drunks outside of the building, asleep. Courtney recognized the face of the man who had always placed Duncan's bets on the games. Henry Parks, was slumped over in his stool chair with a pile of cigarette cartons around and one whiskey bottle.
Courtney cleared her throat loudly, to try and wake the older man up. He stirred loudly in his sleep, and turned his head to the other side. A bit of drool was running down slowly from his mouth and making it's way to his purple sweater. Courtney tapped with her finger, on his shoulder. "Henry?" she called, sweetly.
Henry woke up, startled. He blinked a couple of times and wiped his mouth of the drool. His hands searched for his small frames, which were right by his arm while he slept. Putting them on he asked, "Don't I know your pretty face from somewhere?"
Courtney faked a laugh, "I used to come here all the time with my boyfriend, Duncan?"
Henry thought a moment, trying to remember. "Duncan? The name sounds fimilar".
"He would come down and place massive amounts of money on Luck Day the horse? You would always ask him, if he was sure" Courtney pressed.
Henry made a 'o' with his mouth and clapped his hands. "Mother's love! Duncan! How could I forget one of my best customers?" Henry then gave Courtney a mournful look, "Sorry to hear about your love, sweetheart. Duncan was a real bimbo*".
Courtney grimaced, "Yes, he was".
"So, what can I do for you?"
"I'd like to place a bet".
Henry frowned, "I remember you always hated gambling. You would wait by the gates, while Duncan conducted business. Are you sure?"
Courtney reached down for the briefcase and plopped it down on the counter. "Does ten thousand say I'm sure?"
Henry looked hungrily at the money, "I think you're pretty sure of your self, doll. Which horse?"
"The Great Mane".
Henry frowned, "If you insist, darling."
He reached over and took the money from her. He went in the back and secured her money before coming back out with a ticket. He handed it to her. "There's you ticket, love. Anything else for you?"
"In fact, there is one more thing".
Henry smiled, "Yeah? And what's that?"
Courtney leaned in close and said, "I need you to tell me where I can find Big Tony?"
DW: Happy New year my lovely readers! You get to start all over again! Agenda! I've deleted my Yugioh story because it wasn't doing to hot. But, I've started a Pirates of the Caribean story. You can find that on my profile, it's called Anything. Check it out please! Slang terms used.
-Bimbo-a tough guy Reviews please my dears! Peace and love and hello 2011!