Missed Dues.P2
Missed Dues.P2 (Essie, Peter, Jimmy, Riche)
Tuesday 2pm, Oct 24th: Leaving the Sacred Heart Church, they drove on to the southside Sycamore Speakeasy. Jimmy opted to stay in the car parked a block away (rival gang would recognize him, causing trouble). Riche was the first to the secret bar’s door and knocked.
When the view port opened, he was tongue-tied, “Yes, I am thirsty and
would like to come in.” The bouncer was impressed by his clothes and the doll
behind him but kept the door closed. It took a few moments for Riche to
remember the code word Jimmy passed along, “Oh yes, Bubbles sent us.”
This speakeasy was nothing like Riche’s preferred Northside!
Definitely hadn’t seen a mop or cleaning rag in months. The dozen patrons
paused in their drinking to stare at the new arrivals. Riche led the trio to
the bar where he placed their order, “Whiskey neats.” Essie interrupted, “Make
mine a dry martini.” Someone to the side snickered, “Ain’t she a highfalutin
dame.” Lexy (the bartender) gave her a gin instead as he analyzed them, “Ain’t
from around here, are ya.” Riche spoke up, “Oui, I’m from France.” Essie took
her drink and wandered the room while Peter turned his back to the bar and
scanned the crowd while downing his drink.
Riche handed his drink to Peter which drew Lexy’s ire, “Ain’t
good enough fer ya?!” Riche tried to smooth the air, “No, you misunderstand. My
partner drinks fast and I was just holding his second. If you’ll pour me a wine,
please.” Lexy dusted off an old bottle of uncorked Pisano, spit in a glass to
clean it out, and poured. Riche fought back making faces over the vinegary taste,
“Ah yes, more to my liking. Now that that is settled, might you point me to
Jack Fulton? I understand he’s a regular and he told us to meet him here.” That
sudden topic change put Lexy on edge, to which Peter countered, “We might have
work for him.” Lexy relaxed, “You’re the second smart-dressed foreigner to ask
for him. Ain’t seen Sticky lately nor his sidekick Greasy since early last week
when he flashed a wad of fins ($5) and actually paid for his drinks! Maybe
Victoria might know his where-abouts, but she ain’t here.”
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Meanwhile, Jimmy kept a keen eye on the front of the place. So,
no surprise when he saw the car park out front and four gangsters and a plain-Jane
doll climbed out and entered Sycamores. He recognized: their leader Mickey Valentine, his larger
(build 2) brother Lenny, Eddie ‘Lurch’ Kelly, Keiran ‘the Hat’ Murphy, and the
gun-moll bookie Victoria. Jimmy tucked his tommy under his coat and
walked to the back alley in search of a way in. After listening at the door, he
picked the lock. Cracking it open a few inches, he scanned the dark interior: a
narrow hallway. [Sneak] He slipped inside and crept toward the conversation
ahead, pausing at the corner to give cover to his allies.
Meanwhile, all eyes turned toward the new arrivals who also
puzzled at the well-dressed strangers at the bar. [Psychology-extreme] Riche
picked up on the body-language (wink and head nod) exchange between Lexy and
the arrivals to understand all clear as demonstrated by the others taking a seat
at a table. Lexy called out, “Victoria, you got visitors.” Riche went
over-the-top in greeting her, mixing French and English as he proclaimed her
beauty. Vic cut thru the BS, “What’s in it for us? Sticky? That two-bit cat
burglar? I talked to him last week. Listened mostly; him boasting about pulling
off 3 jobs in one night. Two things from on campus and another from some
professor’s house. Said not to tell a soul in case O’Leary found out. Ain’t
seen him since.”
Peter pressed the issue of speaking to Sticky to which
Victoria countered, “Like I said, what’s in it for us? 40/60 sounds about
right.” Peter countered 10% which Victoria pointed out, “You’re the one needing
info and considering I control the flow of such info…right boys?... I can set
the price.” Essie tried to break the tension, “Come on Peter, you know she’s
right. Lexy, round of drinks on me. Victoria, 40% sounds reasonable as long as
you pay Sticky his cut. Now what can you tell us about him?” Lexy was busy
tending the wall of patrons who heard Essie’s offer as they pounded their empty
mugs on the bar counter. Victoria pulled them to another table to continue, “Sticky
mentioned being hired by some out-of-towner, Jacob Smith. Talked and giggled
about finding some new religion over at the Temple of Hope. Apparently,
this Smith bought the old townhouse on the corner of East College St and S.
Powder Mill Rd. If Sticky ain’t there ‘praying’, he’s probably laying low at
his apartment.”
3:30pm, departure and memories: Riche
opened his wallet and pulled out a $20 to pay the tab and said goodbye, “Au
revoir, mademoiselle.” [Victoria saw the wad of hundreds.] Peter downed his
drink and slammed the empty on the table to then escort Essie out. When they
arrived at their empty car, Peter gave 2 honks. Soon they saw Jimmy coming from
the alley. But Peter also saw Keiran step out of the joint to watch them. He
was caught off-guard when Jimmy directed, “Let’s head to the Temple of Hope.”
On the ride over, Jimmy explained his actions and eavesdropping. But Essie
interrupted, “We’re so close. Mind swinging by Walnut Street?” It was a little
over 2 years ago they worked this area. Riche was all ears to hear about tentacled
monsters. Jimmy was equally interested in the story of (one of his delivery drivers) Frankie:
[Apr 1922 Mind’s
Eye (Walnut St): Midnight: They stopped on East College Street for
Peter to climb on the car-top. Essie reached out the rear window to steady his
perch as Phillip slowly turned onto Walnut. Where they spotted the milk truck
parked mid-block. “Damn it. I forgot about Frankie delivering.” And that’s when
they heard the horrific screaming. Peter jumped off the roof and ran toward the
sound. Phillip parked and grabbed the sawed-off shotgun from under the seat.
Essie got her rifle from the trunk.
[Sanity check] Peter was the first on scene
at the alley, shuddering at the sight of Frankie engulfed in tentacles. He
pulled his revolver and shot: he hit a tentacle but the grey void at the back
of the alley also flared, momentarily revealing a HUGE mass (as large as if not
larger than a truck). [another Sanity check] He instinctively backed up as
another tentacle appeared and lashed out at him. Just out of reach. Phillip
arrived to also witness the tentacles. He closed within 10 yards to blast with
the shotgun. And again, the incorporeal creature flared into vision… its
tentacle knocked Phillip off his feet and slammed him against the alley wall.
Essie stood at the mouth of the alley and decided against using her rifle as
the men were in the way. She opted for her more accurate bow/arrow. And scored
a hit. [Sanity check] which earned her momentary vision as the creature flared.
And that’s when Frankie was completely
engulfed in the void. Out of sight but they could still hear his screams. Till
silence. And then the slow reveal of Frankie slumped in the alley, dead. The
tentacles gone. The creature gone? [Sanity check] They all gagged at the sight
of Frankie lacerated with multiple cuts. But worse: his head cleaved open; his
brain exposed. As if surgical removal of an inner part of his brain. [His
pineal gland was stolen!]
3:45pm, Temple of Hope: The corner
sign read, “Temple
of Hope- Come
Forth Sinners and Embrace Hope. Prayer schedule: 10am, 12pm, 4pm.” Peter parked
in front, and they all stepped to the door to knock as it was locked. The
attendant didn’t recognize them and barred their entry. Riche pointed out, “But
the sign says welcome all sinners.” Peter pushed in when the attendant
hesitated. They were directed to a reception room to the right. “Reverend Smith
will be in shortly.” 8 people were already seated, which left only 3 chairs
available, arranged in a circle about the middle of the room.
Essie opened her travel bible and took a seat while Riche took time to scan the paintings hanging from the walls (hoping to recognize any occult references) before taking a seat. Peter scanned the room before asking the attendant, “Isn’t that Jack Fulton? He’s the one who invited us.”
Of
course, Jack wasn’t there, but the conversation created enough distraction for
Jimmy to slip away to investigate the rest of the temple. His intent was to
move quickly, making cursory checks for whatever stood out-of-place. He entered
an office before making his way to the stairs and upper floors.
Back in the reception room, a side door opened, and
Reverend Jacob Smith entered, followed by 4 others parishioners (bodyguards).
All listened intently as Jacob began his sermon… [advance the youtube video to the 8:59 – 10:15 clip]:
At first Riche was mostly watching the other seated parishioners.
But something about the reverend caught his attention. He began to study the
man…something familiar… the hair color was different and the moustache new… but
the eyes…
[Occult- extreme] Essie and Riche both picked up on the concluding
chant reference to Azathoth which they had read about in Dr. Armitage’s
restricted library. Ruler of the Elder gods.
Essie turned to whisper to Riche only to see the man paralyzed
and speechless. She immediately thought him bound by some spell embedded in the
chant they had just heard. She pinched the back of his arm which evoked a yip.
He returned to the living in time to witness the other parishioners shaking
hands with the reverend as they departed.
Recognition: Riche found
his voice, “Jacque?!” Reverend Smith had been scanning the audience in approval
of their participation. He faced his brother-in-law, “So, Richard, it is good
to see you. No?” The faked southern accent replaced with his original French
background. As for Riche: all those years ago when Jacque stole his sister
Madeline away. Good to see him?! “Can I have a word with you in private?” The
smile on Jacque’s face spoke of his understanding… Oh, how Riche must be ready
to kill him. But Jacque had an eerie calm about him as he stood with his
bodyguards, “Private? Come now, I have nothing to hide. Speak your mind.”
[Late over the 2 years since Riche joined the
group, he slowly gained their trust and spoke of his past. How his mother
passed away in childbirth during Riche’s delivery. How his father passed away
from the Spanish flu. How his sister Madeline: His sister married and moved
away (never heard from her again). He was very close with his sister up
until the day she left. His new brother-in-law was very controlling, he
did not like Riche around because he made his sister question things that he
told her.]
Essie gripped the gun in her purse. Peter spoke up, “We’re
interested in one of your parishioners: Sticky Jack; or maybe you know him as Jack
Fulton.” But Jacob denied the request, “My parishioners are none of your
business.” To which Peter corrected, “Parishioner or accomplice who stole for
you? We know about the dagger and the Greek scroll.” Riche added, “And I heard
reference in your chant to Azathoth. Just what have you gotten my sister into?!”
By now, Jacob had led the group into the Dining Room for
a more controlled setting with his bodyguards at his back with the others
seated in front. “Yes, Madeline is a devote follower and worshiper of our god.
In fact, she has gone to retrieve the very items you spoke of so we might
further call upon our god.” Jacob paused to look at his pocket watch and to
then motion to his men to step out (to look for her). “She should have returned
by now.”
Riche had enough and drew his cane-sword to press against
Jacque’s neck, “Perhaps you forgot my blade work. The dagger and scroll imply a
sacrifice. I want to see my sister NOW!” Jacque consented, “Yes, perhaps you
would be of aid. You will find her at Sticky’s apartment where she was to
retrieve those items.” Peter clicked handcuffs on Jacob, “If you’ll so kindly
escort us.” Surprised but not showing concern, Jacob complied, “He lives at 22
Curzon Street. Yes, perhaps I should show you the way.”
Once again, they arrived at their car with Jimmy nowhere
in sight. Two honks of the horn and he was climbing into the back seat. “Where
have you been?” Maybe later Jimmy would tell them about checking out the 3
floors of the temple and coming up empty handed. Well, except for finding a
sleeping man who now must wonder why his wallet and items from his pant pockets
are missing.
Sticky’s Apartment: Peter’s
memories of Walnut Street flooded back to him: that side alley (Curzon St) where
he watched the city engineers replace some of the broken lights. But as they
drove west on East College Street, Jimmy spotted their tail, “Looks like some
of the Reverend’s men are following.” Peter couldn’t see what Jimmy was doing
in the backseat. But he hear… the “rat-tat-tat” of Jimmy’s Tommy-gun cut loose!
[Extreme + regular] Steam hissed from the bullet-ridden radiator, blinding the
driver who also fought the steering wheel considering a front tire going flat.
[Luck-failed] Whether over-steering by the driver or because of the flat… the
car suddenly jerked left and slammed into a streetlight pole.
Peter quickly turned his head, “Are you crazy?! This is my
work vehicle. What if people recognize it?!”
TO BE CONTINUED: https://wjr5oakley.blogspot.com/2023/10/missed-duesp3-conclusion.html
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