1520 Main – Chapter 11

by | Dec 16, 2022 | Fiction, Prohibition | 98 comments

Prologue | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10


PART I
SPEAKING IN TONGUES


11

“GIO!” TREY BELLOWED when he stalked into 1520 after yet another disaster with Marina.

“What!” Gio barked back at him from Trey’s table above, watching and smoking. Yes, it was only noon, but they had enough Sunday sinners to justify being open this early, and Trey’s assistant day manager had Sundays off. The only reason Trey didn’t kill Gio right then, witnesses be damned, was because he wasn’t sitting in Trey’s chair.

Trey bounded up the stairs and slapped the back of Gio’s head then dropped in his own seat. “Goddammit, you completely fucked up yesterday.”

Gio glared at him. “We already had that conversation.”

“Yeah, well, today it was just as bad.”

“I wasn’t there, so you can’t blame me.”

“What I can blame you for is Marina bringing up the topic of whether I am paying you to be Dot’s date.”

His eyebrow rose. “Girl’s sharper than I thought.”

Trey ignored that. “I didn’t say yes or no, but then she said I should so you’ll do the fucking job right.”

“She said that.”

“She didn’t say ‘fucking.’”

“Damn,” Gio drawled, clearly as impressed as Trey.

“Exactly. I’m paying you. Do the fucking job. What about this girl’s got your nose out of joint?”

“I don’t want her to get the wrong idea about my intentions.”

“That’s what I told Marina. She informed me that Dot’s future plans do not include men.”

“Pretty sure they don’t include women,” Gio said dryly.

“They include college,” Trey said archly, also strangely proud of that. Before he could wonder why, he realized he shouldn’t have said it at all because now Gio was slumping in his chair.

“College,” he muttered, pressing his fingers into his eyeballs.

Trey glared at him, his patience almost at its breaking point and he wasn’t even a week into this con. To be fair, today’s disaster wasn’t all Gio’s fault. Marina’s mother was in a snit over Trey’s attentions—or so he assumed, since that was how he would expect a mother to be if her sixteen-year-old daughter was being courted by a twenty-four-year-old man and she couldn’t put a stop to it because the father was allowing it. But Marina was damn near devastated by her mother’s disdain, and watching her confusion and hurt was painful. Marina’s pragmatism as to how to solve the Dot-and-Gene problem was surprising, but it was a problem she could solve, which she couldn’t do with her mother.

“Look, Gio, I know you want a nice girl—”

“And I have no hope for one, for anything better than this—” He gestured around. “—and she reminds me every minute I’m with her. And now I find out she plans to go to college. This girl’s so far above me I can’t see the soles of her feet through the clouds.”

“So what. She’s perfect for you to practice on, which is one reason you agreed to this. So do it and quit acting like you’re about to strangle her. You are in no danger of becoming an object of that future Carrie Nation’s affections. All you gotta do is ask her questions about herself and listen. You act like you’ve never been around a girl you like before.”

“I haven’t been around many girls at all,” he drawled contemptuously. “No father’s going to let their girl walk out with a Morello kid, much less one who was made when he was fifteen.”

Trey chewed on the inside of his cheek. What to do, what to do. “Alice!” he roared.

Soon enough, she clattered down the stairs while wrapping herself up. “Yeah, Boss?”

He pointed at Gio. “Teach him how to act around nice girls he likes.”

Alice blinked.

“No, it’s not you,” Trey said impatiently. “He needs practice at being around nice girls.”

“I’m a nice girl?” she asked incredulously.

“Used to be. You didn’t forget all ’at, didja? You got a week to turn Gio into a goddamned Gatsby.”

11


If you don’t want to wait 2 years to get to the end, you can buy it here.
Speakeasy staff.

About The Author

Mojeaux

Mojeaux

Aspiring odalisque.

98 Comments

  1. DEG

    that future Carrie Nation’s affections

    Nice.

  2. DEG

    He pointed at Gio. “Teach him how to act around nice girls he likes.”

    Alice blinked.

    “No, it’s not you,” Trey said impatiently. “He needs practice at being around nice girls.”

    “I’m a nice girl?” she asked incredulously.

    “Used to be. You didn’t forget all ’at, didja? You got a week to turn Gio into a goddamned Gatsby.”

    That’s a good ending.

    • rhywun

      Yup. Bravo!

    • Fourscore

      Yeah, Mo, adding Gatsby was great.

      I’m seeing a new Gio and Marina will be smitten with his Old World Charm, Dot may be underwhelmed

      Thanks, Mo, another long week to wait.

      • Mojeaux

        I’m seeing a new Gio and Marina will be smitten with his Old World Charm, Dot may be underwhelmed

        I love it when y’all speculate!

        Thanks, Fourscore!

  3. MikeS

    “She didn’t say ‘fucking.’”

    It’s these little touches. Good stuff.

    • Fourscore

      Well, she’s not from North Dakota, c’mon, man

  4. R.J.

    I am now on Chapter 3! Woo!

  5. MikeS

    First?

    • R.J.

      I accept this. Nail your resolutions to the door of the Firsters.

      • MikeS

        I got 95 problems, but Firstin’ ain’t one of ’em.

    • Brochettaward

      You silly bitch.

  6. LCDR_Fish

    Re: lawyers Hayex – isn’t it a glib rule to never talk to a cop without one? ;p

    Re: the wind turbine disposal yard….seems like there are a lot of things you could do with high quality composites rather than just tossing them in the landfill (or grinding them up for whatever). Why can’t you cut them into smaller pieces and use them for local construction, etc?

    Met up with Ron for lunch today in Norfolk. Good time to chat.

    • Fourscore

      Glibs coming out of their shells and becoming social animals. What next?

    • R.J.

      Awesome. I hope someday to meet you Northerners. I live so far away.

      • MikeS

        “Northerners”

      • The Bearded Hobbit

        I live so far away.

        Next-door neighbor says, “Hi!”

      • R.J.

        I did try almightily last time. I will try again soon.

    • Sensei

      Yes and if HE reads this, I don’t know the laws of NV, but in NJ you can’t be summoned like that to the police, only by a court. Mind you in NJ if a cop shows at the scene you’d get the whole statement and documentation show.

      And here if you needed an attorney for court the carrier would provide it. That said if I were in your shoes I’d see if I could find an attorney for piece of mind. I’ve no idea what carriers do in states with police summons like that, but USAA may be helpful as they don’t want you to say something and cost them money. So be specific and ask them directly if they provide an attorney.

      Maybe one of our attorney Glibs knows the law in these kinds of states better.

      • Chafed

        I missed whatever thread this discussion started in. But as a lawyer I’ll tell you never to talk to a cop alone.

      • slumbrew

        HE, last post:

        Speaking of accidents, I had the unpleasant surprise of being served a certified mail piece from the Nevada State Troopers’ office demanding that I respond within 10 days to schedule a meeting with said trooper and bring my car, the insurance, registration etc.

        The couple who were in the car with which I swapped paint (sideswiped) are alleging injury so they’ve stepped it up a notch legally.

      • Chafed

        Definitely time to contact the insurance company. They will almost certainly assign an attorney if needed.

  7. Don escaped Texas

    Gemini: The Sun reversed – Material happiness, fortunate marriage, contentment, but not as much as if it had been drawn…..

    it is drawn….get the trading cards of the most libertarian president ever!!!11!!! – DJT45

  8. Chafed

    MikeS three hours of AC/DC is kicking off right now on Eddie Trunk’s show.

    • MikeS

      Oooh! I forgot, thanks!

      • MikeS

        I was just getting a bit sleepy. Guess I’m up for a while now.

      • MikeS

        Shazbot. Nanu-nanu

      • Chafed

        This guy gets it.

    • MikeS

      Jeezus…listening to this show is my first exposure to commercials in years. The number of COVID booster commercials is sick. And all openly sponsored by Pfizer. Open your fucking eyes, people! Big pharma was the “enemy” three years ago. Fuck.

      • MikeS

        This is the longest commercial break I’ve ever head in my life.

      • one true athena

        The part I find really irksome about the Covid shot ads is that they’re the only pharma ad that’s allowed without any mention of side-effects. Everything else gets a “side effects may include dry mouth, runny nose, suicidal thoughts, and coma” but the jabs get “it’s safe and effective!” smiley face. Literal government propaganda shoved in my face and nobody can do anything about it.

      • MikeS

        Jeepers, yeah. I didn’t think of that. Fucking evil.

      • rhywun

        Me neither. Angering.

      • Chafed

        Me neither. Evil is the right description. As though these things are magic and different from every other medication in existence.

      • Chafed

        The ads must be local. I’m getting completely different ads.

      • MikeS

        Yeah, that’s on me. The first option I found to listen to it was an NYC radio station stream.

      • Chafed

        Q104.3. That’s the same stream I’m using. Spoiler alert, it’s owned by IHeart. I guarantee the ads are based on geography.

      • MikeS

        Yup. My current VPN local is Colorado, so that could be it.

      • MikeS

        Ah, just heard a Denver-specific Southwest commercial. But holy fuck for Pfizer ads. COVID boosters, pneumonia vaccines, COVID treatments. Fuckin’ A they are hitting it hard.

      • Chafed

        You’d think during this show there would be ads for dispensaries and ED pills.

      • MikeS

        And hair loss snake oil

      • Chafed

        You know what, I don’t care what commercials they play. This is the best 3 hours of radio this year.

      • MikeS

        For sure. Damn, Eddie is playing the best of the best. Drink the drink!

      • Chafed

        🤘🤘

      • MikeS

        Great choice to close it all out.

        🤘🏻⚡🤘🏻

      • rhywun

        Yup, local media has been wall-to-wall vax propaganda for …. JFC … years now.

      • Chafed

        If everyone in NYC would just wear a mask then this would all be over. 🙄

  9. Brochettaward

    As The Firster formerly known as The First Of All Firsters, I have done much traveling. I often attend schools where I instruct children on the importance of Firsting. I’m always looking for the next generation of talent. At one stop, a young girl asked me with tears in her eyes when I’d finally vanquish MikeS and his seconding kind.

    I had to tell this young girl that she was mistaken on the purpose of Firsting. Firsters do not destroy, even the villains of the world. Firsters create. We are the spark, the innovation that drives everything forward. When The First That Shall Change Everything comes in the aftermath of Firstorack, it isn’t that the seconders will be cast down. They will instead be remade in the essence of Firsting.

    That is the most inspiring thing about The Way Of The First. The ultimate climax will see even the most second of seconders become First. That is the power of Firsting.

    • MikeS

      OK, groomer.

      • Brochettaward

        I just spoke of a world where even someone such as you can be First. That is the world that will spread forth from my womb.

        You should be filled with joy somewhere in your black seconding heart, but the seconding has seeped so deep into your being that you have no part of The Great Firster inside of you. But even you shall embrace the First into you when the time comes.

      • MikeS

        Hmmm…that sounds suspiciously like mandatory vaccinations.

      • Brochettaward

        There is nothing mandatory about it. When The First moves to penetrate you, you will welcome it.

      • MikeS

        Imagine your surprise when then time comes for the hot First injections and it’s me distributing them. The look on your face will be priceless.

      • Chafed

        +1 Sink The Pink

      • MikeS

        I’ll shake his foundations

      • Chafed

        You’ll shake him all night long.

      • Aloysious

        This is starting to sound like a STEVE SMITH romance novel, what with the penetrating and all.

      • Chafed

        Are you kink shaming Bro?

      • Aloysious

        Never. I’m just fascinated by his… vigorous enthusiasm.

      • Chafed

        For Those About To Rock….

  10. MikeS

    Old business: I ended up buying this air popper. So fast, and not all covered in oil and crap like the microwaveable garbage. Would recommend. +1 🍿

    • rhywun

      Ha I bought one today myself. Another bonus I realized is that I can make less if I want. The microwave bags are really too big for me even when I eat the whole thing anyway.

      • MikeS

        The instruction book on mine said not to make a small batch. From my limited use, I’d say it’s because the less you have in there, the more you’ll blow out before they can pop. But, I need to do more experimenting. One option is to put the leftovers in a gallon ziplock bag. I did that and had the leftovers at lunch the day after. Tasted good.

        I will say that a full batch is more than I expected. I put a big-ish (but not nearly big enough) bowl under it and in quickly filled and I was scrambling for other bowls to catch the bounty. I should have recorded it. I would have gone viral. haha

      • rhywun

        One option is to put the leftovers in a gallon ziplock bag.

        I guess that works when they’re not covered in oil and “butter”.

        Mine is the exact same model except it doesn’t say Orville Redenbacher and the price at Amazon was way less than shown at your link. I hope the “minimum load” isn’t too much for a single.

      • MikeS

        Yeah, I got it at Amazon, too. I thing $27 or something? The Orville version was a few bucks more than the bright red one.

      • dbleagle

        For the last 30 years I’ve used a microwave popper. Just put the unpopped corn in, put on the lid, and microwave. No oil and can choose the amount to pop. A plus is that in order to get the salt to stick you must add melted butter. Aaahhhhh shucks.

    • MikeS

      “Rich people are very clever. They know how to manage cash, and they have time to look for loopholes,” said Bret Parsons, an agent at the Compass real estate company and author of four books.

      I hate this phrase, but there is so much to unpack here.

      • Chafed

        The LA City Council cannot figure out where this leads going forward. If I’m wealthy enough to buy a $5MM house then there are lots of places I can buy. Do I buy in a location where I pay another tax when I sell or do I buy a somewhere else? The cannot figure this one out.

        When I’m retired I’m going to sit on the edge of Arizona Bay and laugh.

      • dbleagle

        I look forward to when the commissars of LA go on the news to condemn the “wreckers” who are denying the socialist paradise w/o a shred of irony.

      • slumbrew

        I think the real estate guy is saying that approvingly.

        I.e., this tax won’t bring in what you think it will.

        See, also, our stupid new 5.5% additional tax on incomes above a million dollars, here in MA.

        “It’ll raise $2.1 billion a year!”

        No, no it won’t.

      • slumbrew

        Correction, 4% on incomes over $1MM. On top of the 5.5% flat tax we have now.

      • Chafed

        What’s the over under on when you ditch the flat tax for a progressive (drink!) income tax?

      • Chafed

        Congratulations to MA. It’s the first small step toward Progtopia. I look forward to hearing about companies moving to New Hampshire.

    • rhywun

      Los Angeles has a history of attempting to tax its way out of the homeless crisis without much success. Voters passed Proposition HHH in 2016, which funded a $1.2 billion affordable housing bond issue that has been rife with overruns and lack of progress.

      The Los Angeles city controller found that each housing unit was costing upward of $837,000, with the project nowhere near completion.

      LOL

      • Chafed

        What’s even funnier is the uproar about a year ago when the figure was $700k per unit. People were enraged. No one saw the higher figure coming.

      • dbleagle

        That much would buy a nice place on Oahu.

      • Chafed

        LA could buy nice houses on the open market for less than they are spending now.

      • one true athena

        and then, the city (county? I forget which) crushed that guy who built tiny houses out of shipping containers (iirc) about four years ago. He actually had a brilliant idea and of course it ‘wasn’t up to code’ or whatever so they forced him to tear it all down.

      • Chafed

        Of course. They couldn’t find a way to grift off it. They should have taken a lesson from SF.

    • slumbrew

      That’s on top of the highest income taxes in the nation.

      Definitely won’t cause more people to flee the state.

      • Chafed

        It’s not like we just lost a Congressional seat.

      • MikeS

        If you get any more the continent might tip over.

  11. Lackadaisical

    Today’s worldle is cheating.

    They picked an island nation (got it in the first try, natch) then they want me to guess 7(!) Countries near it, except they’re all just little dots, also the seventh country doesn’t have a picture lol.

    Bastards.

    • rhywun

      Pass. Hate the island ones.

    • The Hyperbole

      Yep, and two of the neighbors are territories, knowing all the tiny island nations isn’t good enough, Worldle?

    • Sensei

      Morning. See above for my response and Chafed.

      • Sean

        Morning peeps.

      • Yusef drives a Kia

        Morning glibbies, time for some snow driving,
        them parts dont deliver themselves

  12. Tres Cool

    suh’ fam
    whats goody yo