Three Against Three: Chaos in New York

Arc One: Prison Break-Part 2

Slatesville State Prison: Visitors' Area

Crest Hill, Illinois

December 17, 1991-10:48 A.M.

(Harry's PoV:)

The guard shouts, "Merchants! Lime! You have fifteen minutes with your visitor, before I come and collect you two pieces of garbage! You both better behave, or it's going to be a month in confinement (aka, the hole), if you don't!" He menacingly points his club at us, before slamming the door.

"If I had a knife right now, I would fillet that guard, like he was a large fish," I whisper to Marv, while glaring at the door.

"So would I, Harry," Marv replies, holding his stomach, remembering what that son of a bitch did to the both of us back in the laundry room.

"Gentlemen, I believe we have just a little time, and lots of business to conduct. So, please, sit down, so we can get on with it," an accented-voice interrupts, catching our attention. Marv and I forgot we had a visitor.

I turn around, and sitting at the visitors' table, is a well-dressed, older-looking man, who could pass as Sean Connery's evil twin. A briefcase could also be seen on the table.

"Who the hell might you be? And, what do you want with us?" I ask. I'm not trusting this guy, since he could be someone sent by Hector to kill Marv and I.

"My apologies," the man calmly replies, smiling. "My name's Dr. Vasily Petrov. Just say we both have a mutual comrade named Hector, yes?"

My stomach turns cold, as Marv and I share a quick look, knowing this is the end. "Yes, we know Hector," I reply. "You're here to kill us, aren't you?" I gaze at the good doctor.

Dr. Petrov just stares at us for a moment and laughs. "Hector wouldn't have sent me, if he wanted to kill you. No, Hector wants to give you another chance. I admit, Hector did plan on killing you for your failures, until I convinced him that would be a big mistake,"

Marv and I look at one another. Is this guy for real? I mouth quietly to Marv, "We'd better keep our guard up. No matter what this guy says, remember the cartel turned on us once before," Marv nods. I turn my attention back to Dr. Petrov. "So, can you tell us why you convinced Hector that killing us would be a big mistake? Not that we're complaining, or anything."

The doctor lights a cigar, not caring about the prison's rules against smoking. He opens his briefcase, pulls out a thick folder, and points. "You see, in that folder, exists records for every crime that you gentlemen have committed, since 1968. I admit, I was impressed after reading through the file. Your two profiles fit the set of talents that the cartel needs for the Christmas Eve heist it's currently planning," the doctor explains, before taking a puff on his cigar.

I'm feeling very uneasy about this. "So, let me get this straight… You convinced Hector to spare our lives, because the cartel needs us for a job?"

"That's correct," Dr. Petrov nods.

This sounds too good to be true, and it's making me suspicious. "So, what if Marv and I decide we don't want the job, and that we like it here in prison? What happens then?" I ask. I can't believe I just said that… Marv and Petrov must be thinking the same thing, with the looks of disbelief they are giving me.

Dr. Petrov's expression suddenly turns cold. "Hector has instructed me that if you should refuse to take the job, then I should provide the police with false evidence that links you to the brutal murder of a certain O.K. Plumbing employee. That would mean the chair for both of you. It's sad that your bragging to Hector about killing that plumber, and getting away with it, is coming back to bite you in the ass," he sneers. "You see, gentlemen, you owe the cartel a debt, and it's time to collect. So, you can take the job, and be rewarded, or end up on death row. It's your choice."

"I suspected as much, when it comes to dealing with the cartel," I glare. "I'd rather die than have to work with the cartel again, but there's a personal vendetta that needs settling, and I want my revenge," I'm thinking about that girl and her snot-nosed brother, who put us behind bars, in the first place. "So, it sickens me to say this, but Marv and I accept your job offer." Marv just looks at me, in disbelief.

Dr. Petrov just smiles. "I'm glad you made the right choice, Harry. It would be sad to lose such fine talent, but now, I'm curious about this vendetta you have. Could you enlighten this old man with some detail, about how and why you have this vendetta?"

"Gladly," I reply, as I explain to Dr. Petrov the events that took place last year, and how they caused us to end up in prison.

Dr. Petrov thinks for a moment. "The cartel is willing to assist you, with all its resources, in helping you get revenge against the girl and boy, who put you behind bars, if you successfully complete the Christmas Eve heist. Agreed?"

"Agreed," I smile at the thought of seeing those two punks suffer, while ignoring Marv's fanatic whispering.

"Are you nuts, Harry?! I know those punks hurt the both of us, but I don't like the idea about the cartel helping us get revenge! I feel like it's taking it too far. They don't deserve that kind of torture that the cartel partakes in,"

Dr. Petrov stands up and speaks, "Well then, gentlemen, I guess that concludes our business, save for the matter of you escaping,"

I smile, nastily. "That's already taken care of. I overheard in the shower that the DeVito brothers are planning to escape tomorrow night, through a tunnel in their cell, located not far from ours. Marv and I would just tell a short-tempered prisoner we know as 'Mean Joe' during lunch, that the DeVitos are spreading rumors, saying he wets the bed. Mean Joe's anger will create the distraction we need to sneak to the DeVitos' cell and escape,"

"Interesting plan," Petrov replies, as he pulls out two handguns and papers from his briefcase. "You might need these guns, in case something goes wrong. The papers are your contact information, once you reach New York. I guess you'd better be going. I can hear the guard coming this way. I will distract the guard, so he won't search you and confiscate those guns." Dr. Petrov signals, as Marv and I hide the guns and papers in our uniforms.

"Alight, Lime and Merchants! Your time is up!" yells the guard, as he opens the door. "Up against the wall, so you can be patted down, searched, and shackled! So, move it! Now!" he barks.

That's when Dr. Petrov makes his move, and begins telling the guard that the prison is like Ft. Knox. The guard's vanity starts showing, as he begins bragging about the prison, and how secure it is. Marv and I sneak off to our cells, and make it, without any problem. The guard keeps blabbing to Dr. Petrov, who are both heading the other way.

The guard does catch on later, about how we snuck out. He's pissed, judging from the harsh and painful beatings we take from his billy club. Luckily, we stashed the guns in a spot, where he can't find them. Once he leaves, Marv and I soon start planning our escape. Hopefully, I get to shoot that billy club-waving fanatic of a guard…

Arc to be Concluded…