The kids have the look of hungry jackals eyeing a water buffalo. Trying to decide if this one is old and fat enough to take down. Five to one isn't great odds, I don't back down though. I shoot them a look that staired down creeps like the Joker, Penguin and hundreds of other creeps and murders. They get the idea and drive off in their 'obviously this is to nice a car for this neighborhood unless I dell drugs' car.

Shame to this used to be a good neighborhood, could only afford my apartment because of rent control. Then the city in its infinite wisdom decided to make the property owners accept more 'economically disadvantaged citizens'. They brought their disadvantaged problems with them, drove out any one with enough money and sense to get out. Now its just another Gotham ghetto.

I could leave, got enough put aside to get myself a decent house out in the sticks. I got enough time in to cash in my pension, could get a college cop job no problem. I know I'm not gonna. Maybe I like the danger, either on the job or off it. Maybe I'm just to stubborn, but deep down I know my only way out of Gotham is in a pine box.

I push the door open, a little electric bell to let Hannibal know that someone is comin into his store.

"Good…to see…you…Harvey." The man says stuttering. About five years back some creep jumped over the register and jammed a screw driver into Hannibal's neck for less than a hundred bucks in small bills and quarters. His daughter found him a few hours latter half bled to death. Speech impediment is a parting gift. Figures man came all the way form Morocco built himself a business and gets stabbed so some creep can scrape enough together to get a fix. Didn't mind breaking said creep's arm when I collared him.

"How we doing Hannibal the Cannibal?" Her it comes in three, two and one…

"How…many tim..es…I Say…Gener…al…not…cannibal…"

"Come on Hanny?" I say smiling. "Ya know they don't teach us that history stuff in cop school."

I go all the way to the back where Hannibal keeps the cold soda. Doctor said I should switch to diet. I told here I'd drop it to one 2 liter a day as a compromise.

The electric bell rings again and that's when the shouting starts, 'empty the register' 'everyone hands up' usual stick up talk. I hear two guys see on in the reflection of the cooler making his way down with what looks to be a Winchester rifle. He's clearing the isles somewhat hap hazardly. I draw my .38 from my holster and wait for him crouching low. As soon as he points his weapon down the isle I lunge. I use my free hand to push the barrel up toward the ceiling and bring the butt of my gun down on the bridge of his nose, it crunches. He screams falling back letting go of his weapon and falling onto his back. I have the drop on his buddy pointing a more conventional looking glock at Hannibal.

"Drop it!" I scream forcefully. He turns pointing the gun my way. I fire two slugs. They slam into the creeps chest knocking him off his feet.

"Hannibal you ok?" I ask. The man is as close to pale as he can get, but he nods. The creep whose nose I broke is moaning. I put down the rifle and flip the skel onto his back. I have mt tie in my coat pocket.

"Hands behind your back!" I shout shoving my revolver into his neck. In his less than functioning state he complies. I bind his hands tight enough to hold until a cruiser comes to pick him up.

I pick the rifle back up and I notice its lighter than a loaded gun should be. I open the breach and metal BB's start pouring out.

"You gotta be kidding me." I say under my breath. I move over to the guy I shot. His ski mask is caked with blood he spit up. I pick up his glock and eject the magazine into my hand. The BB's in this one are bright green. I look at the tip real close and can see the sharpie marks and small splotches of bright orange that he didn't fill in all the way. I lift up the mask and the dead eyes of a teenage boy stair at me. Might not even be a teenage.

"Goddam it."

"You…Okay…Harvey…" Hannibal asks. Blue and red lights are flashing getting closer, so are the sirens.

"Not really Hannibal. Not Really"