Chapter 5
Four more shots ring out. Frank Pentangeli takes two bullets, one to the head and one to the side. The other two shots hit one of the soldiers in the chest. The remaining soldiers open their jackets and take out their guns, pointing them randomly in the night. Another shot rings out. One more soldier is hit. Al backs away from Johnny and heads for the car. Another shot. Al falls to the ground, shot in the knee. Again, two shots are fired. The last two soldiers are hit. A man comes out from behind a boat hanger. He is encompassed in his shadow.
"Stand up." The man commands.
"What the f is this? Who the f are you?" Al says as he attempts to stand. He can't quite make it up and leans against the car.
"This? This is a gun Al. And my name? Well, my name is Vincent Lampizi, people call me Vinny." Vinny says.
Vinny aims the gun, a revolver. He points it directly in between Al's eyes.
"They say that things are all about the family. Well, I've heard that before." Vinny says. "Now it comes down to family. Do you get scared at the thought of death Al?"
"Death, it is the only thing that is guaranteed." Al says. "If I should die, today on this dock I will know that I died for my family, for my business."
"So be it Al. So be it." Vinny says.
Vinny squeezes the trigger. Click. No bullets. Vinny looks at Al and smiles.
"Remember Al Neri, I could have killed you. Had I not spent my bullets, you would be dead." Vinny says "Now get out of here."
Al pulls himself into the car and starts it up. He takes one last look at the shadow of a man before he speeds off. Vinny looks around and sees Johnny.
"Get up. You aren't dead." Vinny says half-laughing.
"What the f happened?" Johnny says as he attempts to stand, but sits back down.
"I, Vincent Lampizi, was just walking by and saw you, a helpless man on your knees about to be shot. I just had to do something." Vinny says with a smirk.
Vinny extends his hand to Johnny and helps him to his feet. He brushes off Johnny's shoulder and looks at him. Johnny's eyes focus and the shadow that was Vinny is seen. He is about the same height, weight and size as Johnny.
"I feel like I've seen you before, Vinny." Johnny says as he scratches his head.
"You have. When you Pops got shot, I was in the crowd. I saw you kill that guy." Vinny says with an even bigger smile. "I actually wasn't just walking by either. I heard about this from some people. I run a small thing under the radar. I have info coming in about all of the Corleone's business."
"That's some good intel." Johnny says as he starts to walk from the scene with Vinny.
"That it is Jonathan, that it is." Vinny says as he stops Johnny. "no need to walk. We have a car waiting. Over there."
Waiting under a street light is a black limousine and two of Vinny's soldiers. They see Vinny and Johnny coming and open the back door for them. Vinny ushers Johnny into the back and then gets in after.
"Boy's, meet the future Don of New York, Jonathan Soriano." Vinny says "Now, we go to Las Vegas."
The limo pulls out from its space under the light and fades into the darkness.