A young man walks through the streets of Naples, towards his home, in one of the many neighborhoods, It was on the outskirts of town, but it wasn't a long walk away from the heart of town. He walked towards his home, eventually coming to his front door. He checked his clock. 2:00 PM. He had been exploring , and it took him an hour to walk home. Stepping on the doormat that read, "Welcome" he opened the door, and walked in. Immediately, he was greeted by his cousin. "Kinny!" she called playfully. He walked over to her. They sat down on the couch. "So, what did you see that perked your interest, Kintama Avdol?" The man sighed. "I saw a tufted duck and took a picture of it using my camera." He showed her the picture, and she smiled. "So, when is that friend of yours getting discharged?" Kintama sighed. "He is getting discharged in about two hours." He looked towards the window. " I really have no idea what'll happen next, Celia."
Kintama went up to his room, and began to study about fortune telling. After one hour and forty five minutes, he heard his mother call him down. Kintama closed his book, and went downstairs. His mother sighed. "Isn't your friend going to get discharged in about 15 minutes?" He nodded. "Next you'll say, Can I please go meet my friend at his house? Right?" called Celia. "Can I please go meet my friend at his house?" Kintama asked. "Wha-!" His mother nodded. "Of course. His dad said that a cab is picking him up." Kintama nodded. "Grazie." He went outside. His friend's house was 5 minute walk away. As he walked, he thought about his friend. How was he gonna be after he finally comes home? Eventually, he arrived at his friend's house. He sighed, sitting down on a nearby bench and waiting for his friend. Eventually, he heard the taxi pull up, and his friend walked out.
The friend walked into his home without even noticing Kintama. "Narancia! Hey, wait a sec!" Kintama called, but to no avail. He already knew that entering Narancia's home wouldn't be easy. The last time he had tried to visit Narancia, his friend's dad had threatened to call the police if he didn't leave. But when he walked up to the door and knocked, Narancia's father looked at him with boredom, instead of hate. "I believe you're here to see Narancia. Go ahead. But I'll call the cops if you try anything." Kintama went up the stairs, navigating the halls. He eventually reached Narancia's room, and he knocked. "It's open." said Narancia.
Kintama walked in. His room hadn't changed in the slightest. He was glad that Narancia was home. "I hope you're doing well." Kintama stated. "You've been away for a long time, buddy." Narancia sighed. "Still calling me buddy. So we're still friends?" he asked. Kintama nodded.
"So, you heading anywhere?" asked Narancia.
"Yep, I have to head to my summer job tomorrow morning. It's at this cute little restaurant. Rumor has it that it's owned by Passione, but a job's a job, and it pays quite well." Kintama explained. "My mother agrees that I should be fine to work there, as long as I stay on the right side of the law."
Narancia sighed. "You're always two steps ahead of me." he observed. "What time do you have to be there?"
"Tomorrow at 7:45 AM." Kintama replied. " That's the time I have to be there, but I want to be there an hour early to help set up. Do you mind if I tell your future? Free of charge."
Narancia shrugged. "Go ahead. Can you only do 1 card?" Kintama sighed. "Sure. Just think of something you're wondering about." Narancia thought for a moment. 'I still think these spirit thingies are bullshit, but what the hell. What about... my love life?' Kintama shuffled the cards and picked one, laying it on the table.
"The Star." Kintama stated. "You are likely to find yourself feeling inspired. It brings renewed hope and faith and a sense that you are truly blessed by the universe at this time. You are hoping you will find what you're looking for." Narancia studied the card. "These cards look really rare." observed Narancia. "Priceless. They were left to me in my father's will, including half of the books in his collection."
"I like the gold one." said Narancia. Kintama looked at the card he was pointing out. "The World. The World represents an ending to a cycle of life, a pause in life before the next big cycle beginning with the Fool. It is an indicator of a major and inexorable change, of tectonic breadth." he replied.
Narancia sighed. At that moment, the door opened. And there stood a police officer. Kintama couldn't help but sigh. "The tenacity of people. I was only in here for fifteen minutes and they already called the cops." he sighed. He looked at the cop. "Are you here to take me away?" he asked.
The cop sighed. "Come with me." he muttered. Kintama was taken out the door and to the sidewalk. The cop went into his cruiser. Kintama moved to get in, but he sped off. Startled, he fell over. "Stronzo fascista!" he exclaimed. Well, at least he didn't shoot me. He got up, only to run into a man in a coat.
Kintama sighed. Drug sales were common around here, but what was uncommon was dealers that sold in broad daylight. The man slipped him a note. It read, Meet me in the alley next to the burger joint. It was obviously a setup, so Kintama waited until he disappeared then began walking home.
He noticed that a car was pulling up to the mailbox next to him. Kintama's eyes narrowed, and he reached into his pocket for his switchblade. He could tell this was no mere coincidence. The man inside the car stepped out and began to walk slowly towards him. "It's rude to ignore an adult." the man called. Kintama sighed. "You have tenacity." he replied. "I can already tell you are trying to sell me something. Well, I'm not interested." He tried to walk away again.
The man snapped. "You little shit!" he roared. "Do you think you're better than me?" The man kicked Kintama. The blow struck him in his leg. The Egyptian gave the man a long stare. "If you want to start losing body parts, keep testing me." he said in a bored tone. The man's tone softened. "I see. You don't trust me. Maybe if I tell you my name, you'll trust me a bit more. My familia calls me Four Toes Marza." he told Kintama. "I lost a toe fighting a stronzo from Rome."
Kintama was tempted to just run for it. Ugh. "Like you said, I am a businessman. But not an ordinary businessman. I sell...
special candy." Marza explained. "It could help you study, and-"
"Who do you think I am? I'm not an idiot, pal." Kintama interrupted. "I don't want any special candy. Now go away. I must get home."
Marza was livid again. He began reaching towards Kintama. "Here's how this is gonna go down. Either take the candy or-" Just as he said that, one of his fingers fell off. Blood spurted from the severed joint. "What the? What happened to my hand?" Kintama turned to him. "I told you to not test me. I'm impressed that you don't know when to quit. Really, I am." Kintama pulled out his switchblade and pressed it against Marza's throat.
"You're going to go to your familia and tell them to leave me and my family alone. If you don't, I will make you disappear. Understand?" He nodded, then ran off. Kintama watched as he ran off. "Filth." he mutterd, spitting on Marza's severed finger. He looked closer. "And her" he asked himself, picking it up. He sighed. I'll give this back to him if see him again. It's the least I can do. Kintama began to walk home again.