Back for more ey? Lovely!
And look! Reviews! You reviewed me, you wonderful people! And thus, my shout outs are at the bottom. . .
But now, on with the fic!
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The Credo of Maxwell "Racetrack" Higgins.
~*~
What do I believe? What do I believe? I believe that a flush is a sure bet for a winning hand, and a winning hand at the Lucky Break Lodge will make you fifty cents, easy, and I believe you couldn't buy yourself the brains to leave me alone even if you had a buck. Now go 'way and let a guy smoke in piece.
You still here?
Well, alright, if you really wanna know. I believe. . . I believe what I can see. If I can't see it, and I can't touch it, and especially if I can't smoke, drink or eat it, than it aint no good to me. Hell, if wishes was horses, we'd be knee deep in crap, you know?
I believe in money in my pockets and a dame on my arm. Thank you, you've been great, try the hot dogs and goodnight.
What, that aint good enough for ya? S'what I believe, and that's what you asked. More? Alright.
Here's what I think. . . what I BELIEVE, if ya like. There aint nothing that can't be explained away. No ghosts or monsters or axe-murderers, like Snipe Shooter lays awake at night crying into his quilt over.
There's another thing. I believe crying never did anyone no good. But where was I. . .
No ghosts, no monsters, no angels. I use to believe in angels. . . only natural, mama being a rosary-wearing Italian regatsi, and Da being a God- fearing son of Eire. But I don't believe anymore, cause I seen a little too much. You get me?
I believe the grass is green for a reason, and the dirt is brown for a reason, and it's no use wondering why the grass aint blue and the dirt aint purple. Things are the way they are. Live with it.
Now Mush, he aint figured that out yet. But most of the boys are coming around. they live with me, don't they? How can they not learn a thing or two under my capable tutelage. Tutelage- you like that one? Davey taught it to me. It means guidance, you know that? And if you need guidance, I'm your man. If you need a tip on the races, or an extra ace for your deck, I'm the man. I'm a good one for getting things.
And if you want an extra loaf of bread at night, or a little help with the ladies, or if you're just a scared little guy and you want a bedtime story before you nod off, I'm you man. And those things, I won't even dream of charging you for.
Sometimes, I even believe Mush when he says I'm a better person than I think I am. But then, what does that bum know?
Still, once in a while, I think I might be a good guy. Like when I'm with Rosie; laying with Rosie, eating with Rosie, doing Rosie. . . she makes me feel good enough.
I believe I'm gonna marry that girl someday.
Speaking a girls, have you seen Medda's show lately? It's gotten a helluva lot racier, if you know what I mean. I believe that girl's got some bristols even Specs could be proud of, and we all know how Specs swings.
Well, maybe not all of us.
And love? Do I believe in love? I believe it makes people do stupid things, crazy things, dangerous things. I believe it's what got my Mama done by my Da, and what got them married seven months later, and what got me born two months after that. I believe it's what got me sent to America when I was six, so I could have a better life. Huh. Would ya get a load of that?
What else is there? I think you're asking too much of me, Pal. I told you what I think. . . but you want something else? Alright, here's one more for the road.
I told you I don't believe in angels, and I don't much believe in God, and if he's up there, he aint doing a thing to convince me otherwise. I don't believe in people, because from what I seen of them, and I've seen an awful lot, they aint worth my time to believe. So I don't.
But I do believe in enemies and brothers and friends. And I believe in my friends, my brothers, and what they can do. Hell, they stopped the world between them, didn't they? We all stopped the goddamn world. Maybe they're better than they give themselves credit for, or maybe they're too stupid to know they can't do half the thing that they manage to do. But either way, they do great things. Every one of them. I know, I've seen it.
Hell, you know what I seen yesterday? Dutchy, with a girl. Our own Dutchy got his self a girl. Well if that don't tell you that anything is possible, I dunno what will.
I believe I'll take that drink now.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
And now, as promised, the shout outs:
Klover- thanks dahl, good to be back! Well alright then, here's Racetrack, just for you. (but don't tell the others. . . they'll get jealous!)
Misprint- *pokes* Mispriiint, I'm Crunnnch. Like cinnamon toast, the taste you can see! Eh heh. . . well, it may be the fifth time you've done it, but I forgive you, because I got a lovely review from the Einstein of the writing world (that's you, dahling) so thanks muchly! Do it again!
Carmen Maria- Wow. . . I'd say thanks, but it wouldn't be a strong enough word. Still. . . Thanks! You're a wonderful writer yourself, and it's always nice to know that those better than me approve! Really, I appreciate that- I'm always so paranoid about my characterization, so I'm glad you think it's on. Aww, the fate part. . . yeah, that pretty much took all the angst I could give it, and I'm not angsty as a rule, so I'm glad it worked! And yes, just for you dahl, expect to see a Blink chapter very shortly. Thanks again!
Kellyanne- Really?? You think so? Thanks! I'm glad my characterization came through for you; I'm always such a ball of paranoia about that. Well alright then, I'll continue! And here, a Racetrack chapter, just for you (just, a. . . don't tell the others.) Thanks again! Pst. . . come back and review again, why doncha?
Glimmer- Oh, I do like that song. . . *hums in an offensively bad voice* Thankds, dahling! Ooh, jeeze, you flatter me far too much. . .not that I mind. ;) Really? Alright, than I'll continue, and yes, please do read! Oh, some one actually wants to read chapter two- this is so exciting! I'm so excited. . . and I just can't hide it. . . ahem hem. Come again!
Shade- Oy vey Shadey, you're a hard one to keep up with. *presents you with Canadian Spot, complete with Eskimo jacket and maple leaf flag* Thank you, come again!
Vioshine- yay, it's a Vioshine review! I love those! Oh, I'm so glad you approve, Cause I'm a puddle of paranoid when it comes to characterization. (and if you have said it, I don't mind at all that you've said it again ;) ) Thanks so much! And if you ever have any suggestions for improvement, PLEASE feel free to tear into the chapter all you can! Criticism from Vioshine = good. Alright, I shall continue. Second chapter is Racetrack, but don't worry. . . expect so see Dutchy VERY soon (he's already in the works, but keep it hush hush, ey?) Thanks again, dahl!
And look! Reviews! You reviewed me, you wonderful people! And thus, my shout outs are at the bottom. . .
But now, on with the fic!
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The Credo of Maxwell "Racetrack" Higgins.
~*~
What do I believe? What do I believe? I believe that a flush is a sure bet for a winning hand, and a winning hand at the Lucky Break Lodge will make you fifty cents, easy, and I believe you couldn't buy yourself the brains to leave me alone even if you had a buck. Now go 'way and let a guy smoke in piece.
You still here?
Well, alright, if you really wanna know. I believe. . . I believe what I can see. If I can't see it, and I can't touch it, and especially if I can't smoke, drink or eat it, than it aint no good to me. Hell, if wishes was horses, we'd be knee deep in crap, you know?
I believe in money in my pockets and a dame on my arm. Thank you, you've been great, try the hot dogs and goodnight.
What, that aint good enough for ya? S'what I believe, and that's what you asked. More? Alright.
Here's what I think. . . what I BELIEVE, if ya like. There aint nothing that can't be explained away. No ghosts or monsters or axe-murderers, like Snipe Shooter lays awake at night crying into his quilt over.
There's another thing. I believe crying never did anyone no good. But where was I. . .
No ghosts, no monsters, no angels. I use to believe in angels. . . only natural, mama being a rosary-wearing Italian regatsi, and Da being a God- fearing son of Eire. But I don't believe anymore, cause I seen a little too much. You get me?
I believe the grass is green for a reason, and the dirt is brown for a reason, and it's no use wondering why the grass aint blue and the dirt aint purple. Things are the way they are. Live with it.
Now Mush, he aint figured that out yet. But most of the boys are coming around. they live with me, don't they? How can they not learn a thing or two under my capable tutelage. Tutelage- you like that one? Davey taught it to me. It means guidance, you know that? And if you need guidance, I'm your man. If you need a tip on the races, or an extra ace for your deck, I'm the man. I'm a good one for getting things.
And if you want an extra loaf of bread at night, or a little help with the ladies, or if you're just a scared little guy and you want a bedtime story before you nod off, I'm you man. And those things, I won't even dream of charging you for.
Sometimes, I even believe Mush when he says I'm a better person than I think I am. But then, what does that bum know?
Still, once in a while, I think I might be a good guy. Like when I'm with Rosie; laying with Rosie, eating with Rosie, doing Rosie. . . she makes me feel good enough.
I believe I'm gonna marry that girl someday.
Speaking a girls, have you seen Medda's show lately? It's gotten a helluva lot racier, if you know what I mean. I believe that girl's got some bristols even Specs could be proud of, and we all know how Specs swings.
Well, maybe not all of us.
And love? Do I believe in love? I believe it makes people do stupid things, crazy things, dangerous things. I believe it's what got my Mama done by my Da, and what got them married seven months later, and what got me born two months after that. I believe it's what got me sent to America when I was six, so I could have a better life. Huh. Would ya get a load of that?
What else is there? I think you're asking too much of me, Pal. I told you what I think. . . but you want something else? Alright, here's one more for the road.
I told you I don't believe in angels, and I don't much believe in God, and if he's up there, he aint doing a thing to convince me otherwise. I don't believe in people, because from what I seen of them, and I've seen an awful lot, they aint worth my time to believe. So I don't.
But I do believe in enemies and brothers and friends. And I believe in my friends, my brothers, and what they can do. Hell, they stopped the world between them, didn't they? We all stopped the goddamn world. Maybe they're better than they give themselves credit for, or maybe they're too stupid to know they can't do half the thing that they manage to do. But either way, they do great things. Every one of them. I know, I've seen it.
Hell, you know what I seen yesterday? Dutchy, with a girl. Our own Dutchy got his self a girl. Well if that don't tell you that anything is possible, I dunno what will.
I believe I'll take that drink now.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
And now, as promised, the shout outs:
Klover- thanks dahl, good to be back! Well alright then, here's Racetrack, just for you. (but don't tell the others. . . they'll get jealous!)
Misprint- *pokes* Mispriiint, I'm Crunnnch. Like cinnamon toast, the taste you can see! Eh heh. . . well, it may be the fifth time you've done it, but I forgive you, because I got a lovely review from the Einstein of the writing world (that's you, dahling) so thanks muchly! Do it again!
Carmen Maria- Wow. . . I'd say thanks, but it wouldn't be a strong enough word. Still. . . Thanks! You're a wonderful writer yourself, and it's always nice to know that those better than me approve! Really, I appreciate that- I'm always so paranoid about my characterization, so I'm glad you think it's on. Aww, the fate part. . . yeah, that pretty much took all the angst I could give it, and I'm not angsty as a rule, so I'm glad it worked! And yes, just for you dahl, expect to see a Blink chapter very shortly. Thanks again!
Kellyanne- Really?? You think so? Thanks! I'm glad my characterization came through for you; I'm always such a ball of paranoia about that. Well alright then, I'll continue! And here, a Racetrack chapter, just for you (just, a. . . don't tell the others.) Thanks again! Pst. . . come back and review again, why doncha?
Glimmer- Oh, I do like that song. . . *hums in an offensively bad voice* Thankds, dahling! Ooh, jeeze, you flatter me far too much. . .not that I mind. ;) Really? Alright, than I'll continue, and yes, please do read! Oh, some one actually wants to read chapter two- this is so exciting! I'm so excited. . . and I just can't hide it. . . ahem hem. Come again!
Shade- Oy vey Shadey, you're a hard one to keep up with. *presents you with Canadian Spot, complete with Eskimo jacket and maple leaf flag* Thank you, come again!
Vioshine- yay, it's a Vioshine review! I love those! Oh, I'm so glad you approve, Cause I'm a puddle of paranoid when it comes to characterization. (and if you have said it, I don't mind at all that you've said it again ;) ) Thanks so much! And if you ever have any suggestions for improvement, PLEASE feel free to tear into the chapter all you can! Criticism from Vioshine = good. Alright, I shall continue. Second chapter is Racetrack, but don't worry. . . expect so see Dutchy VERY soon (he's already in the works, but keep it hush hush, ey?) Thanks again, dahl!