Blind Luck

  “Evening ladies! Calm night, huh?” I tried a little smooth small talk.

  “Wish I could say the same.” The one on the right, a blonde, replied.

  “I’m looking for someone you may know, a girl. She’s short, black hair. Ring a bell?

  I didn’t even get to wait here the answer, when I saw sudden movement out of the corner of my eye, to the left. I turned my head to see two large guys heading towards me at a brisk pace, and they don’t look like they were out to make new friends tonight. I figured whatever they wanted to do with me, I didn’t want it seen in public, so I scooted past the girls and headed down the alley beside the bar. I stopped beside a filled garbage can and crouched down behind it, out of sight. A few seconds later, two street thugs, who looked to be in their twenties, showed up. They both seemed to hit the gym regularly, judging by their arms legs and necks. They had matching jeans and white wife beaters. They had seen me heading down the alley so they came down the alley towards me without any hesitation. I pushed away from the wall and stood out in the middle of the alley to face them. They slowed their steps and continued towards me. They stopped just a few yards from me at 10 and 2 o’clock.

  If they were even the slightest bit intelligent, then one of them would have done all he could to get in behind me. Their lack of insight drastically reduced their odds of winning this fight. One of them started talking, indicating that he was the leader.

  “The fuck you think you are, and why dontchu leave the girls alone, huh?”

  “I’m looking for someone. If you can help me, then that’s great I’ll be on my way, otherwise, get out of my way while you still can.” I replied, without missing a beat. I knew my confidence could throw them off.

  “The fuck you talkin’ ‘bout?”

  “If you don’t get out of my way, within ten seconds, then you can call your own ambulance.”

  I didn’t even give them two seconds, I stepped in before they could. I like taking the initiative.

  There are 206 bones in an adult body. The strongest of these are your elbows and the plate that protects your Dorsolateral Prefrontal. In other words, your forehead. If you get in a fight, it can be a better idea to use these then just your hands in a fist, as long as you know when and how.

  According to my experience with fighting this was a fine example of when not to use your fists. I stepped in closer and kicked the leader in the stomach putting my full weight behind the kick. Before I even put my foot down I struck the henchman in the temple with my elbow, with almost the same force and velocity. I had to hold back a little, I didn’t want to knock him out yet, cause that wouldn’t work well with my plan. However, the plan didn’t have any purpose for the bigmouthed leader, so I went to work on him a little while longer. He was doubled over, clutching his stomach, and his back against the garbage can. He stood up and looked ready to continue the fight. Not for long. As soon as he stood up, I head-butted him with all the force I could muster. He fell the ground, out cold. As he hit the ground, his jacket slid off revealing something shiny. Looking closer I could see it was a .22 Caliber Colt grip hanging out of his belt line. I had been far too lucky that he hadn’t whipped it out right away. Then i would be the one on the ground, except I would never be waking up. I took the gun, and inspected it. The magazine was full. I walked over to the other hoodlum who was on all four and trying to reorient himself. I crouched down next to him and continued:

  “So, short little bitch with black hair. Where the fuck do I find her?” I yelled angrily.

  “I don’t know. I don’t know!” He yelled back.

  “Of course you fucking know. Don’t lie to me, you little bitch. One of the ladies give you the tip that I’m looking for her. That’s why you came here to begin with.”

  “Fuck you.”

  Bingo. He couldn’t deny it anymore. That was as good as any confession. I always thought that these guys were bred to be much better liars.

  “Alright cocksucker, listen up. I will ask the question, and I will keep asking the question until you answer it. But see, my time is wasting, so I’m not a patient man right now. So with every incorrect answer I will break a rib or two. Here is the question: where is the girl.”

  “Eat a dick.”

  I shook my head and stood up and kicked him right in the sight. He yelled in pain.

  “Wrong answer, dickhead. I’m getting an answer out of you. It’s up to you how much ribs I break. Besides, according to my calculation, you have another 205 bones I can break when I run out of ribs.”

  He spat on the ground, and i could hear him trying to take short breaths through his teeth to ease the pain.

  “Where is the girl?”

  “Not too far from here, he said. She’s in a brothel, and on the third floor. Her name is Corinne.”

  Guess he was smarter then I give him credit for. I counted another rib or so for the name, but I guess I’m in luck. I checked his pockets and took his cash and driver’s license. I did the same with his bit mouthed friend.

  “You boys should probably get a job or something.” I called back as I left the alley.

  I had no feelings of guilt or remorse. If I don’t do what I did, then I would be getting put 6 feet under. They were simple street thugs, so no one that will be missed. I did a favor to the community, to take them out of circulation before they expired. The money and driver’s license are just the fruit of my efforts. I knew they didn’t obtain them by working hard so I had no qualms about taking it from them.

  I slowly walked back to the car, all while the adrenaline wore off slowly. I took a cigarette and lit it, enjoying the bitter taste. When I finished, I got in the car and went over to where he described the brothel being.

  The brothel’s state was less than “proud”, but it was what I had expected. I stepped into the stairway and climbed up the stairs. The steps creaked loudly under my weight. I made up to the third floor without any trouble. I looked for room 318, and leaned against the door, listening for sounds of a transaction taking place. There were no signs of movement, or of life. It seemed entirely empty. I took out the Colt I had recently been gifted with. I had no clue what was waiting for me beyond the door, and my policy was better safe than sorry. I held it out in front of me with one hand and tried the handle with the other. It wasn’t locked so I turned the handle and slipped in through the door as fast as I could. I locked the door behind me as quietly as I could when I got in, and then looked around. I took a few steps and saw crappy and dirty old furniture, accented with laundry all over the ground and couch. There was a box of Chinese takeout on the kitchen table. Probably left over from yesterday.

  There was a flash of metal swinging at me, to my left. I ducked just in time, and saw it was a grey Louisville slugger. I was saved by my reflexes once again. I stood back up and pointed my handgun at my attacker.

  “Don’t fucking move!” I yelled.

  A tall and skinny woman was holding the bat. Her cheeks were bony, and her hair was long and dark brown. She was wearing stretched out T-shirt, and it was pretty easy to see there was nothing underneath. The shirt didn’t cover much of her legs, or anything else at all for that matter. I gotta admit, it would have been pretty hot if not for the circumstances. I might have even asked her on a date.

  “Drop the gun.” She ordered.

  I let go of the gun with one hand and gestured for her to calm down with the other.

  “I don’t want to hurt you. In fact, you’re not even the one I’m looking for. I’m looking for Corinne.”

  I didn’t have to search any further, she appeared behind the taller chick, from the kitchen. This was the third time I saw her. She recognized me too from our first meeting though. She was wearing a pair of shorts as well as a T-shirt. She also had a gun in her hands.

  This turned was an unexpected turn of events. I didn’t have the upper hand anymore. They didn’t have to say it again. I slowly crouched down and put the gun on the ground.
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  “Kick is over here.” She said.

  Good call, I thought. I kicked the gun on the ground and it skittered towards her.

  “I could shoot you right now, like the dog you are. Give me one fucking reason not to do it.”

  “Because my corpse would be too heavy to take down the stairs and I doubt you want to be cleaning blood off of the furniture. Trust me, it’s easier if I leave on my own two feet. But first, we need to talk.”

  “And why do I want to talk to you?”

  “Well, I’m asking you nicely. But we could do it some other way too. I could leave right now and come back sometime you aren’t expecting me and pull it out of you. I have my ways, but I don’t want to do it like that. I don’t want to hurt either of you. I think we can get a lot further if use our heads.

  Her mind was whirring, I could tell from her gaze. I continued and tried to convince her.

  “You just tell me what you know, and I’ll be getting out of here as soon as possible. “

  “Why the fuck should I trust you? What if I get in trouble because of you?”

  “You won’t. I guarantee it.”

  “How do you know?”

  “If you tell me what I want to know, I will make sure they can’t even come near you ever again.”

  I could see she was relieved to hear that. The gun in her hand dropped about 30 degrees, but it was still pointed at me.

  “He said his name is Gary. He asked me to accompany him to a few places. He took me golfing and to the restaurant. That’s where you threatened him. He was a total tool if you ask me. He paid for the full day, but he didn’t try anything with me.”

  “Do you know where he lives?”

  “I’m telling you, he didn’t even take me home. He told me hates golfing; he just has to act like he enjoys it. He said he actually goes bowling at a nearby place, I hope that helps.”

  “Maybe,” I said.

  I peeled two $100 bills from the wad of cash i took from the “guards” and put it on a nearby shelf.

  “Thank you ladies, that will be all.”

  There was a complete change of emotion on their faces. They obviously didn’t want to say no to the money. The taller one picked up the Colt and walked over and handed it to me. She stepped close enough so that I could smell her scent. She handed the gun back to me, with the grip in my direction.

  “Why don’t you stay a while?” She asked. “We could at least work for the money.”

  I looked her up and down, and took a good look at Corinne too. There they stood with barely any clothes on. One tall, curvy, with honey colored skin, and Corinne, the black haired demon. It was a rather tempting offer.

  “Maybe next time.”

  * * * * *

  The feeling of success and being on a roll tonight convinced me to keep my search going. I had found Corinne, who told me that the man who if was looking for was called Gary, and also where to look for him. On top of that I had about $600 in cash still, as well as two drivers’ licenses and a Colt with a full magazine. I checked the clock. A bowling alley should not be closed this early. I decided to head over and check it out now; maybe I could catch a glimpse of whoever framed me. I was in luck because I knew the place and it wasn’t too far. I started the car and I drove up to the I-278 expressway, this time heading towards the south. The lanes were all packed and all I could see as far as the horizon were the brake lights of thousands of cars all trying to go in the same direction I was heading. The oncoming traffic was in similar fashion, however their break lights were not in my field of view. I eventually sat through the traffic and reached my exit, and got off the expressway. The bowling alley was just a few minutes from here. Then, the unimaginable happened.

  Blue-red lights flashed in my rear-view mirror. They flashed continuously, brighter and brighter as it came closer and closer. It was a simple cruiser on patrol. There was no way I could outrun them with this ancient vehicle. I didn’t have any choice but to pull over. I slowly headed towards the shoulder of the road. If the gears in my head were audible, people three cities over would have been going deaf. I reached into my pocket and pulled out the licenses I took from the guys earlier. I picked the one that I thought looked like me more, but he couldn’t have even passed for my brother. This was about half a degree better than nothing.

  I kept checking my rear-view mirror and waiting for what’s going to happen. I didn’t stop the engine, because I figured if worst comes to worst, this could still get me a few second head start. A sizeable policeman got out of the cruiser and started towards my car. I couldn’t tell if his partner stayed in the car, or if he didn’t have one at all. The window was tinted too dark to see. He came over to my side of the car and signaled for me to roll down my window. I obliged. I found myself face to face with a 40 year old man. His head was shaven bald, and he had a trimmed beard. He was around 220 lbs, but probably more. He filled the uniform well, I had to admit.

  “Good evening sir.” He greeted me.

  “Evening, officer. Is there a problem?”

  I tried to hide my anxiety and stress and push it deep within me, but it was impossible. I was on the ledge between complete failure of my only chance to clear my name. I could practically see the bars in front of my eyes. The bars I would be staring at for the next twenty years.

  “License and registration please.”

  I handed him the fake license and the papers Al kept in the car.

  “Do you know why I pulled you over?” he asked me.

  “Sir, I haven’t the faintest idea.” I forced a smile and made it as sincere as possible. I was desperate, trying to be a kiss ass here, but I was losing my mind.

  “When I was running a search on the license plate, I was told this car was licensed under Al Marchani’s name. I figured I had gotten lucky and I could finally meet the old man, but I have been seriously deceived.”

  I could tell from his voice that things were not looking in my favor. But this was good. I could relate to him. If he likes boxing, I might be able to talk my way out of this.

  “But, you’re in the right place. This is in fact his car. I practically grew up in his gym. You like boxing?”

  “And how! Did you watch the Saturday evening gala? What a match!”

  “I missed it! I had to be somewhere, who won?”

  “Hagler won, even though....” he stopped talking and was intently listening the buzzing coming from his radio. He then raised it to his lips.

  “Yeah I’m just a couple of streets over. I’ll be there in a few. Over.” He then turned to me. “Alright sir, say Hi to him for me the next time you see him please. I’m a huge fan.”

  He gave me back the license that was clearly not mine, and walked back to his cruiser and got in. For a few minutes all I could do was sit and stare. To be this close, and to get away still, it was unbelievable. Suddenly I snapped back to reality, and remembered my goal. I put the old Ford back in gear and stepped on it.

 

  * * * * *

  The parking lot was half full behind the bowling alley. This was good for me because that means there were less people inside and I could find Gary easier. If he was here right now at all. I’ll find out soon enough. I killed the engine in of the corner spaces as far as I could from the entrance. As I was walking up to the doors I saw a black Cadillac that I could never forget. The same one from in front of the restaurant. He was definitely here. I stepped inside and waited for my eyes to adjust. It was pretty busy already, the typical sound of pins being knocked down and people cheering or booing. I couldn’t find a single unoccupied lane, so I took a few steps in to get a better look. Immediately, the receptionist called for my attention.

  “Can I help you?” She asked. She was blonde, looked to be in her twenties and had a nametag that read ‘Melony’ on the left side of her chest.

  “No thanks, I’m m
eeting a friend and he’s already in.” I said, wanting to make a minimal impact as possible. The fewer people that spoke to me, the better.

  “Sure, what’s his name? I can tell you what lane he’s at.” She said, without missing a beat.

  By pure luck, I managed to find the familiar face. I looked up at his board, he was with three people.

  “His name is Luke, but I see him.” I told her and walked past without looking back again. There were a total of 10 lanes in the alley. There were too many people for me to be able to drag him out by the scruff of his neck. That would draw unnecessary attention to me and probably get the cops on my case again. I had to find a different approach. I went straight to the bar.

  “Beer.” I said, and slapped the counter.

  I looked away from the bartender, but continued.

  “Some people are crazy, man.” I paused, to make sure he was listening to my words.

  “Some poor guy with a black Cadillac got his tires all slashed. People can be real jerks.”

  I grabbed the beer, left money on the counter and walked away without waiting for any response. I walked by the lanes, and left the beer at one of the tables. I hurried back outside, and took a knee down beside the Cadillac. My entire plan was riding on the hopes that since Gary was a regular, the bartender would tell him the news. I could get him away from the crown without touching him. I was pretending to be messing with the front tires when I hear the doors slam open. I heard hurried steps rush down the entrance stairs and a voice yell.

  “What the fuck are you doing? Get the fuck away from my car.” His voice cracked.

  I could bet this car was his prized possession. I made sure he couldn’t see my face until he was a lot closer before standing up.

  “Gary, my man! Long time no see.” I said, standing up and facing him.

  His did a double take, either because he didn’t recognize me, or the gun pointing at his face was a bigger surprise than I expected. I wasn’t in the mood for another fight tonight, so I figured this little luxury wasn’t too big of a deal.

  “Move.” I said, without giving any context just indicating with my head which direction I wanted him to go in.