Driving up from the border into Los Angeles I have my doubts, but none I dare share with Carmelita. She needs to believe that I'm strong and in control of the situation, the last thing I need now is a woman with opinions. I look over at her and smile, but she doesn't return the favor. Funny, just a moment ago she was kissing my neck and telling me everything I needed to hear. I guess no matter how hard I try I'll never understand a woman, but I haven't the time to start trying now. I look back to the road and grip the wheel a bit tighter. I'm nervous and with good reason, forty more minutes till I need to make my first stop and see a small man about a huge favor. I look up at the road sign over the highway as we pass under and a chill goes up my spine, thirty more miles until we pull into the city that seen its share of devils... none other then the city of angels.

         So why am I here?

         One reason... I wanna live to see another day, because without this man I wouldn't wake up and see tomorrow. The Mafia is deep inside these city walls and a bounty is surely on my head by now. So what better way for the bottom rung of low life's to make a move up the mafia chain then to bring my head back to the man who wants it the most. Santiago can make your life hell, but he can also slide you a piece of heaven, and I'm not about to become someone's angel of fortune, not yet. The man giving me my new identity is only known in the Mexican Mafia as Manny the MidgetMan. But don't let his little size fool ya, he's the toughest son of a ***** midget I know, and I trust him with my life. I have too, and besides, with the money I'm sliding him I figure that should buy me something. With a husky voice he calls me over and tells me to sit. I start with a haircut and a little dye, grab the keys to my new ride and pocket some plastic and get on my way. I look over to Carmelita and she's in a blonde wig, her disguise isn't that good, but that's not what worries me... She's in the corner of the room with her cell phone pressed tight against her ear.

        So what should I do?

        Nothing... I pretend I don't see her and call out her name. She comes to me quickly, and I wonder if it was too quick. Maybe it was. But she has the phone back on her hip and a smile on her face and she's jumping in my arms, and now, I'm mad at myself for even doubting her so I don't ask who it was. We hit the highway and head out of town, but the phone call is still on my mind, and it's weighing heavy. But right now, there something else on my mind that's carrying even more weight. I need to make another quick stop. I pull off the highway and come to the place that I need to do business with. I get out of my car and walk straight in. The Amigo seems nervous and he hardly speaks any English, nothing new for these parts. I communicate with him the best I can then reach behind my back and pull out a language everyone speaks... money, and pay for the meal. We eat in the parking lot and I'm watching Carmelita. My god, she's even beautiful when she eats. I put my hand around her neck and pull her in to me, I'm about to lean in and lay a big wet kiss on her when I notice something else from the corner of my eye, two men in a dark car... watching.

        So what now?

        Simple, I finish my hamburger. The last thing I want is for them to know I see um over there, and then there's Carmelita. There's nothing worse than a crazed dame in a tight spot, and I really don't need that headache right now. I need to be cool. So I turn up the dial on the radio but get only static, Carmelita frowns at me, but I smile back...Staying cool. I casually put the car in reverse then ease back out onto the highway. I move the Mag I have strapped backside and place it under the paper bag next to me on the seat. Carmelita doesn't notice, and it's a good thing, because if she's the one who sold me out then she would know I'm on to her and I would lose the edge. But I shouldn't think like that, we're in this together and I have to believe that. I check the rearview and notice the dark car is no longer tailing me, but I'm not a fool, I know their out there, and a busted radio is the least of my problems. Better get moving... I turn off the static; hit the gas and head out of town.

         So where am I going?

         The only place I might have a chance to get out of this alive...local airport on the outskirts of town. Along with my new identity, I was given my own pilot and two tickets to anywhere USA; I was told he'd be waiting. I take the off ramp and check the rearview one more time, no one there, and now I'm starting to wonder who those men really were, maybe no one. Still, I need to be on my toes. I've been driving for thirty minutes and Carmelita hasn't said a word, but then again, neither have I. I spot the small airport up ahead and pull in. Manny the midget was right, a pilot is waving me over. He looks like an honest guy, but as I've come to learn there's no such thing. If the price is right... you can buy anyone.

        So, can I relax?

        Not yet... not until this bird takes flight, and that can't happen soon enough. We board the plane and take a seat. Carmelita pretends to be a stewardess and ask me ‘well, what'll it be.' She's amazing and I wonder why I'm so lucky that she's even here at all. I wink and say ‘my favorite, danger with a twist of pain.' She winks back, smiles and tells me that it's coming right up. She was right, almost to right, because just then... all hell broke loose. I turn and look out my window and see the pilot running for cover and my girlfriend getting on the floor just before gun fire fills the evening air. I've been double crossed, and I wonder how I could be so blind. The answer was an easy one... Beautiful girl makes for dumb man.

        So this is it right?

        Maybe... but I have a new ticket now. I grab Carmelita and hold her hostage at the door of the plane, and the gun fire stops. I've bought some time, but not much. I'm just about to make my demands when I feel the barrel of a cold automatic pressing against the backside of my head. I release the girl and she moves to his arms, and I joke, 'next time, remind me never to trust a dame'...but he's not amused. I drop my Mag and can only wonder who it is that Carmelita double crossed me with when I feel the hard jolt from the butt of his gun. I drop to my knees but get a quick glance before it all goes dark. At that second I realize why I didn't see him on such a small plane. The man holding the gun and now all the cards, was none other than the toughest son of a ***** I know.

      Manny... the MidgetMan

To be continued...                                                       R.E.Potter

Keyword: The Butcher of Barrios (part dos)

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Comments (8)

Posted by chaabuk 2008-08-03 13:22:25 Superb I was having my doubts about Carmelita walking out with you. But you hold al the aces as far the story progresses. So, she has double crssed him. What else was expected of her! But the surprise is the arrival of Manny. Now, it's getting thrilling. + Report this comment
Posted by lemon 2008-08-03 13:37:16 .... Good story Potter. It's funny how you make the character seem so bored almost with whats going on. he's just like, 'this is how it is, so this is what i have to do' thats the vibe I get anyway. just so you know, a Gringo who can's speak much english is pretty rare being that Gringos are white people. oops? o.0 + Report this comment
Posted by philneale1952 2008-08-03 14:34:59 Riveted Absolutely riveted to the paper with this story line. Moves fast with a slow beat. Lots happening with nothing much going on. The tension's mounting with each sentence. Must have missed this part in that other lifetime in the galaxy far far away. It's Raymond Chandler, it's James Patterson, it's Jeffrey Deaver and it's running away to Christ knows where. Don't know about the Phil Zone, this is a place I never knew existed, but here I am. Pass me the rivet gun..... Phil + Report this comment
Posted by Zombie Punk 2008-08-04 00:03:23 .... I don't know how any one can have respect with a name like MidgetMan but this was an awesome chapter. I agree with Amie, it is pretty amusing how bored he is with this story. Like he'd rather be watching a football game right now. Great installment, I'm looking forward for the next chapter. Keep 'em comin! + Report this comment
Posted by Tarhead Mugwump 2008-08-04 20:11:54 well done sir potter! and by the way, next time... remind me never to trust a dame! this part of the story blends very well with the first. odd tempo - rather unique tempo. write on! + Report this comment
Posted by C.R. Vard 2008-08-05 16:04:21 .... as good as the first. i was half expecting to see santiago as the pilot, but was wrong. i have to flow of the story is great, each paragraph gets more and more interesting. + Report this comment
Posted by allmine 2008-08-06 19:01:54 .... Has one of those 40's feel to it..I can't think of the word. But like where you can hear the narration in the guy's head. "She was a classy dame that day she walked into my life." I always liked this story. Onto the next one + Report this comment
Posted by d.dasgupta 2008-08-12 22:59:46 Going great ... Well, who'd have known! Manny himself? This reads like more than double crossing -- triple crossing perhaps. It's going great. Good thriller. + Report this comment

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