Rent Continued: Part 2

CHAPTER ONE

"I can't stand this anymore, Joanne!" screamed Maureen.

They had just returned from Benny and Allison's funeral, and were standing in their apartment, arguing. They had done a lot of arguing in the past week. One week since that night.

"Well I'm sorry Maureen, but maybe I can't stand THIS anymore!" Joanne shouted. She was feeling very guilty over Benny's death, which had led to Allison's death. And Maureen had just told her to 'get over it'.

Tears welled up in Maureen's eyes. "This won't work if you keep feeling so sorry for yourself. I can't do this."

Joanne shook her head and scowled. "Thanks for your support." She turned and walked towards the door.

"You bitch!" she screamed as the door slammed.

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Roger, Mimi, and Mark walked into the Loft, hung up their coats, sat down on the couch, and sighed.

Quiet settled in. To make it less awkward, Mark joked, "That must have been the most expensive funeral I've ever seen." Roger and Mimi chuckled.

Suddenly, there came a pounding at the door. Collins' voice was frantic. "Guys, let me in, let me in!"

Roger went running for the door. He yanked it open. "What the hell?"

"It's Tony," he said, out of breath. It was clear he had been running. "He had some sort of a stroke. They rushed him to the emergency room."

"Oh my God," Mimi gasped.

Roger grabbed his denim jacket. "Let's go."

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Several blocks away, a secret meeting was being held. Five of the greatest mob bosses in Manhattan were discussing business. One boss, Michael, who was heavily connected with the Westport Greys, spoke up.

"We must discuss the death of my brothers daughter."

"Why?" said the turf boss of the upper west side. "It was suicide."

"Brought on by murder. I cannot stand by and watch my brother fall apart over his little girls death. We should retaliate."

"Against who? Who was responsible for this?"

Michael slid a file folder across the table to the turf boss. He opened it, and stared down at a picture of a young, attractive, black woman. "Joanne Jefferson," he said.

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Collins hands were pressed hard against the glass of the ER's viewing window. He watched the doctors insert numerous tubes into Tony's face and chest. Once he was completely hooked up to the life support machine, the doctor turned and motioned for Collins to enter.

He walked in and approached the gurney that his lover lay on. He let out a little whimper and held Tony's hand.

"Your friends can come in now, if they want," said the doctor.

"Wait," said Collins, tearing his eyes away from Tony. "How is he? Will he make it?"

"He'll be fine, as long as he stays stable. We will, of course keep him overnight, and, if necessary, take him into surgery." The doctor crossed the room and put a hand on Collins' shoulder. "You should go home. We're very busy tonight; we really don't have room for you."

"Couldn't afford it anyway," said Collins, shaking his head and smiling. "Send my friends in."

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Joanne hustled down the street in tears. Tears of rage over her lover's inconsiderate attitude. She had been going through a really rough time, and all Maureen cared about was herself.

She stopped at the alley behind the loft and raised her hand to hail a cab. When she did, a long, black sedan pulled up, and two hooded figures jumped out the back. They hopped on Joanne, put their hands around her, covered her mouth, and pulled her into the nearby alley at gunpoint.

A tall, bulky man pushed her against the wall of the alley and revealed his face. "Okay bitch, this is what you get for destroying my brother's life!" He pressed the barrel of the gun deep into Joanne's stomach and fired three shots into her.

The two men took off down the avenue. Joanne slid slowly down the concrete wall, moaning. "Oh, oh no…" her eyes closed as she began to slip away into blackness…

AN: Yep, more cliffhangers. Did you miss me? Anyway, this story, just like the original, will take place over one night. REVIEWS! I need them.