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Big Al 7
Contributed by
ramfire
on
Sunday, 27th May 2007 @ 03:25:03 AM in AEST
Topic:
StoryPoetry
|
I hung up and unpacked my carry-on with its bottle of whisky. I carried it and two glasses to the adjoining door giving it a soft rap with my knuckles. Jean opened it and I went in.
Izzy called back the next day in the late morning. He gave an address of a blind pig across the street from Police Headquarters, above a bail bondsman’s office. I was to meet him there at four o’clock that afternoon. I knew the place. It served potato soup and a free lunches to reporters and police alike. They needed to buy booze to receive the freebies.
I promised Jean I’d take her shopping after I’d seen the man about his dog. She didn’t want to wait so I gave her a couple of c notes to do her own shopping. She had no argument with that.
I went up the steps of the bondsman’s blind pig and entered a room under a small lamp hanging down from the ceiling. A bar with its brass railing was there with men drinking in front of it. The barkeep, wearing a white apron, was serving as fast as he could. Behind the bar were two framed pictures on the wall. One was of a woman with a tall globe of red hair who appeared to be looking over a stack of Heineken cases. Close to it was a woman who was on her belly with feet kicked back in the air, her face upward. She was nude. On a stand behind the bar, below the pictures, was the cash register with ornate leaf designs.
The barkeep saw me and made a head motion for me to go through a closed side door. I opened the door and entered a room full of cigarette and cigar smoke. Men were playing poker at several tables. There was a pretty barmaid who served drinks keeping everyone happy.
Izzy was there with a few of the Purple Gang. He gave me a big smile motioning for me to come over to his table. I danced between tables trying hard not to bump anyone.
When I stood close by his table he put a hand under its top and gave the big sign to feed it. I put five Clevelands in his palm.. He looked down and was pleased. He spoke to me.
" Good boy! Your stuff will be here when promised. How’s big boy Casino doing these days?"
"He’s still breathing and keeping things under control on his side of the state."
" Let him just do that and there won’t be any trouble between us. You get what I mean?"
I nodded my head yes. " You’re the boss, Izzy. What you say goes."
" I like you, Big Al. You deliver!"
"Can’t be any other way."
He flashed a smile. " You got that right. Have a drink and something to eat."
" Can’t think of anything else I’d rather do."
" I’d join you, but you see these guys won’t let me leave the table because I’m winning."
" You’re a winner every time, Izzy. No matter what you do."
" Whatcha doing tonight around eleven?"
" Got a date with the sweetest broad this side Chicago. We’ll be at the Graystone Ballroom. dancing to the Cotton Pickers. Her name’s Jean. She’ll knock your eyes out."
" Sounds interesting. Maybe I’ll be there. Don’t depend on it."
" Hope you are."
" Have that drink and blow. Gotta concentrate on these cards."
I left, stopping on the way out for shot of his booze.
Copyright ©
ramfire
... [
2007-05-27 03:25:03]
(Date/Time posted on
site)
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