4. Luigi Goterelli: Luigi's Girl


Eddie took a taxi from work in Trenton all the way across town to the Redlight District, where he immediately was impressed by what he saw. Lots of strip clubs. Plenty of adult bookstores and theaters. Hookers were on the street, dressed in trashy outfits, looking for their next trick. There were some studio apartments in this Neighborhood, and if this place interested him enough, he was going to look into getting a new apartment there. Best of all, the Neighborhood wasn't too far from the El-Train, which was just a mile and a half down the road.


Eddie got out of the cab in front of Sex Club 7, Luigi's place. It was an obvious night club with escorts, which probably was a front for something a little more illicit. But Eddie didn't care, he was happy to get a few extra bucks on the side. He walked around to the back of the club and up to the back door.


After a knock, a tall man answered.

"I'm hear about the favor?" Eddie said. "I'm Eddie d'Angelo. I'm here for Luigi."

A second later, a shorter, square-faced Italian man appeared at the door. "You must be that kid Joey was talking about," he said. "I'm Luigi. Nice to see ya."

"Nice meeting you, sir," Eddie said. "Now what was this favor you had?"

"It's pretty simple," he explained. "You go pick up my best girl Misty from the clinic in Portland View. Bring her back here untouched and unscathed. She ain't for free ya know." He nodded. "Do this, and you got fifteen hundred in the bank."

"You got it sir," Eddie said nodding. "What's her name again?"

"Misty," Luigi said. "Now hurry up. She's due back here for work." He pointed to an old Stallion parked in the alley. "Take that car, but don't screw it up."

Eddie nodded again. "You've got it, Mr. Goterelli."

"Do this right kid," Luigi said, "and you'll earn the right to call me by my first name."


#/#


Eddie drove the Stallion to Portland View about five miles away from the club. He drove right up to Sweeney Hospital, where there was a smaller health clinic wing right next to it. It had already begun to rain, and standing under the clinic's awning was a woman in a green jacket and red short-shorts stood with a newspaper over her head. She had tall high heels on, and a huge swinging purse over one shoulder.


Eddie knew that must be Misty, simply for the way she was dressed. He rolled down the window. "Hi, I'm Misty," she said. "You must be Luigi's new go-fer."

Eddie paused. "Yeah, that's me I suppose."

"Well, let me in, baby. I'm soaking wet, and not in the good way!"


Eddie unlocked the door for her, and Misty opened the back, driver-side door. She climbed in and slammed the door behind her. "Damn, it's raining hard," she said in a very nasal accent. "Where you from, kid? Around here?"

"Born in the LC, ma'am." Eddie replied, pulling into traffic. "You?"

"Nah, I'm from Upstate," she said. "Came here when I was twenty-three." She looked at him. "What Neighborhoor?"

"Saint Mark's," he replied, looking at her through the rear-view mirror.

"All the big-leaguers are from Saint Mark's," Misty commented. "Been workin' for Luigi long?"

"No, I work for Joey Leone."

Misty giggled. "Sure ya do." She paused to rifle around in her purse and pulled out some papers. "Lookie! I got my tests back! I'm negative for the third straight month! Isn't that cool?"

Eddie tried to hide a smile. "Yeah, good for you."

"HIV, gonerreah, chlamydia, warts and pregnancy. All negative!"


Eddie gave her a smile. "I'm happy for you."


#/#

Misty climbed out of the car and ran up to the back door of the club, still holding the newspaper over her head. Luigi stood at the door smiling. "How'd it go, sweetheart?" he asked her.

She handed him her papers. "All negative! Check it out!"

Luigi glanced at the health report and then handed them back to her. "Good to hear you can still work, babe. Now get your ass back to work before I pound it."

He slapped her on the ass as she skipped ahead inside. Then, he fixed his eyes on Eddie, who got out next.


"You did good, kid," Luigi said. "I'm proud. I know that if I ever need another favor, I can count on you right?"

Eddie stuck his hands into his jacket pockets. "Yes sir. It's my pleasure, sir."

"And your reward," Luigi held out his hand in a hand shake. When Eddie shook his hand, he felt money being pressing against his palm."

"Don't be spending that shit so fast, ok? Get youself a nice suit or something. A new place. Somewhere where the Feds won't notice you, alright?"

"Sure thing Mr. Goterelli," Eddie said, slipping the money into his pocket. "I'll do just that."

"Good. Keep up the good work, kid. I see good things in your future."


With that, Luigi went back inside his club.


#/#

Eddie took a cab back to the garage, where he noticed the store was already closed. It was after dark, but the garage was still active inspite of the store having a gigantic bCLOSED/b sign in front of it. He paid the cab fare and unlocked the store door so he could get in. He turned on the light, and walked up to the counter, where there was a note waiting for him on the counter top by the cash register.


It was from Scott:

Hey man,

Had to leave the shop early. Won't be in until Friday.

--Scott


Just as soon as he finished reading the note, Eddie heard the bells on the door ring and footsteps on the linoleum. He started to say "Sorry, we're closed," but then he turned around.

Standing in the doorway was the girl he saw a week ago. She was still wearing her red velvet coat, and her hair was pulled up into a ponytail. She was dressed in knee-high boots and a short sky-blue skirt, but couldn't tell what kind of blouse she was wearing underneath it. Her lips were dark red with lipstick.

"Sorry, I saw the light on," she said.

Eddie stared at her. "Can I help you?" he asked.

The girl shrugged. "Is Scott still here?" she asked.

"Nah, he closed up shop and left." He held up the note. "Got the evidence right here."

The girl groaned. "Damn it! I was hoping he could give me a ride to work before he went home." She glanced at her wristwatch. "No time to walk to his apartment."

"You can always hail a cab," Eddie suggested. "They're everywhere."

The girl shook her head. "Ain't got the cab fare," she said. "I'm supposted to get my paycheck tonight, but I can't get to work."


Eddie thought for a second, then reached into his pocket. "Here," he said, opening his wallet and taking out three ten dollar bills. "Where do you work?"

"Callahan Point." She said. Then smiled. "Hey, are you Eddie?"

He nodded. "Yeah. Why?"

She smiled and took the money. "Scott's been talking about some guy named Eddie at work," she explained. "Plus, my friend mentioned that you were cute."

Eddie laughed. "Isn't that interesting," he said blythly.


The girl pocketed the money and adjusted her coat. "Guess I'll go to work," she said. "See ya."

Eddie watched as she turned around and walked out the door. It dawned on him that he didn't even know her name. Quickly, he rushed outside. She was waiting on the sidewalk, waving her hand wildly to get a cab's attention.


"Hey!" he said. "I didn't get your name!" he yelled, raising his voice over noisy traffic.

She turned to him and smiled. "Why do you need to know my name?" she teased.

"Well, I usually don't give cash to complete strangers," he said. "Let me at least know your name."

She smiled. "Mimosa," she said. "But my friends and family call me Mimi."

"Mimosa," Eddie repeated. "That's a nice name. Haven't heard too many like it."

The girl, now known as Mimosa, shrugged bashfully. "I suppose not."


A yellow cab pulled up and came to a hault next to her. She lifted her hand to open the back door when suddenly another hand was there, taking the handle. "Let me help," Eddie said, as she turned her head to look at him. He smiled and opened the door wide for her.


Mimi looked at him with an amused look in her eye. Without saying a word, she stepped inside the cab.

"So, will I see you again?" Eddie asked, holding the door wide open. "I mean, I might insist that we do."

Mimi raised an eyebrow. Still smiling, she asked, "Why is that?"

"Because you may just have to pay me back for cab fare," he joked.


She giggled and reached over. Thinking she was going to take his hand, Eddie held his out, palm up to take hers. She surprised him by grabbing the door handle and shutting the cab door. Perplexed, Eddie knocked on the window.

Inside the cab, Mimi told the driver to wait. Then, she rolled down her window. "Will I get to see you again?" he asked her.

With a playful grin, Mimi shrugged. "Callahan Point," she told the driver. "Twenty-fifth and sixteenth."


Slowly, the cab drove off, leaving Eddie behind. With a shake of his head (but also a hidden smile), he turned to walk back into the store.