Within the Brass Web.

by Brian Moon

  Chapter 3: At the movies.

  George Zingale had gotten the message earlier the day before and he dutifully put out the sandwich board announcing that the matinee showing was sold out. He knew what they were, but they paid more than what he would get from a normal day’s sales. People without jobs can’t afford a night at the theater like they used to. Although with Valentines Day quickly approaching he busied himself to make the theater extra clean, and special. Trying to entice couples to spend what they had on a special night together. With this private showing for the… company, he would be able to drop ticket prices to $.05 a person and still come out ahead. The Liberty was one of the few remaining movie theaters still operating in Paragon City and with its location between what they ‘re calling Steel Canyon, because of all the skyscrapers going up, and the City Park he had a better than average location to survive. What better way to spend an evening than a good movie and a romantic carriage ride around the lake.

  George was just a boy when his mother and father immigrated to the United States from Sicily. Then came northward to what was said to be the new jewel on the Atlantic, a city that would one-day rival New York City. Upon arrival his father Thomas found instant welcome on the docks of Independence Port. Many people from the old country had already settled in Paragon and they offered work and family to them. The problem was Thomas knew what “Family” they were referring to. The only problem was that if they realized just who Thomas’ “family” was in the old country then he wouldn’t be safe. Family feuds tended to last generations, so he looked for a job away from that area. He looked into working at the Kings Garment Company, but they didn’t seem too friendly towards him, probably the same reason the others offered him a job. He and his wife saw their first moving picture show a few weeks after moving into their little two room apartment. Thomas was excited beyond belief at the marvels he had seen, and he knew what job he wanted. He took a job at the movie house sweeping up and worked his way to projector operator in a matter of months. They had only been in Paragon a year when they obtained a loan from the Bank of Italy and opened The Liberty Movie Palace. George inherited the theater several years later when his father died of influenza. During World War I George managed to pay off the loan to the bank when some investments paid big dividends. With a little left over George was set to take care of his mother, and hire some new employees.

  The private showings were the only reason that The Liberty even managed to stay open when the world crashed into its depression. Paragon City was faring better than some cities across the country due to the Southern United Manufacturing Company. They were putting people to work, mostly on the towering structures going up around his small movie house. George felt a need to keep the theater going and to do so as cheaply as possible. There was nothing like a movie to take you mind off of your troubles and going against the grain of the other theaters in town, he lowered his pricing from $.24 cents to $.14 cents. Not to under cut the others but because he felt a need to give back to the city that took his family in and gave them a place to call home.

  A year ago a gentleman stopped by the box office with a unique request. The Southern United Manufacturing Company wanted to pay for a private showing of the movie for its managers and guests. There were several stipulations to this but the money was three times the amount what he would get if he sold out the entire house. When he asked the man why him and not one of the larger theaters, the man replied it was because his was the local theater and Southern United took care of its community first.

  Everything was ready for the private party. After several of these he and his employees had a good idea that there was more to this company than anyone actually knew. Still Southern United paid well and no one saw any reason to make any comments, after all, they made payday possible. So they treated them like royalty and just took part in the benefits from the party. Cars started pulling up to the front doors and men and women would step out onto the curb and great him as he held the door open for them. Most were the usual managers, some new faces and of course some of the most beautiful girls in the city always seemed to be draped over the men’s arms. George didn’t need to play doorman, but he felt it was his responsibility to watch over the proceedings. As usual the last to two cars to pull up were Peirce – Arrow, Silver Arrows. The cars were polished to a mirror finish and he could see his reflection in the chrome as they pulled up to the curb. He always marveled at the dark color tinted glass that obscured the occupants.

  The four men that had been waiting outside the theater stepped up to the curb and opened the doors. The first man to step out was Mr. Reese and with him was Mr. Tomain, an assistant of some sort. Form the second car came the long legs of Helena Michele preceded the rest of her beautiful form. Her blond hair was done in curls that cascaded down her back. George swallowed hard and did his best not to stare. Ms. Michele could easily be a movie star.

  “Thank you George.” Her voice reminded him of a singer he once heard in a smoky club, as smooth as silk but with a smoky tone. From the first time she talked to him, he was captivated.

  “George, how good of you to take us in on short notice.”

  “It’s never a problem Mr. Reese. As a matter of fact I have a special treat for you and your friends.”

  “Really? And just what may that be?” Lukas asked in a friendly tone, but with an edge that came from not liking surprises.

  “Well sir, I received my new movies early, you know for the Valentines Day weekend. I’m not supposed to show them until Friday, but if you won’t tell, I think we can get away with a private premier… Just like they would do in Hollywood.”

  “Oh how wonderful, what movie is it?” Helena asked, her eyes gleaming with excitement.

  “I was able to get Shanghai Express with Marlene Dietrick and Clive Brook. Not to mention the News reels from the opening ceremonies and first week from the Lake Placid Olympic Games.”

  “George, once again you treat us too good, thank you.” Lukas patted George on the shoulder. “You can start the films in ten minutes.”

  “Enjoy the show Ms. Michele, Mr. Reese, let me know if you need anything.” George watched these two stroll through the lobby like the king and queen of some small country and was grateful they were his patrons.

  It was understood that the balcony for a private party among the private party. It was here that Lukas met with is officers or managers as they were called in the world outside.

  “Gentleman, is there any problem meeting the new design specifications?”

  “They are really intriguing, but do we have to undo them all over again? We just got things back on track.”

  “I am afraid so James, believe me I tried to dissuade him this time, but you know how pointless that can be. Any word on when we can expect that shipment of copper?

  “I looked into that this morning. It seems our shipment from Michigan arrived in Erie Pennsylvania yesterday. It’s being off loaded onto a freight train and we should have it by next week.”

  “Speaking of cargo ships, those containers still ain’t unloaded. Those dock guys in Independence Port keep jerking me around. What do you want me to do?” Bobby said irritated.

  “Mr. Tomain, please set a meeting up with Mr. Marcone to see if we can come to a mutual agreement.”

  “And if we can’t?”

  “Then we do what we do best.”

  George was pleased with how this movie was received, when his patrons were happy, he was happy. It wouldn’t seem right to take that much money and have them being disappointed. Everyone carefully filed out of the theater to their cars laughing with each other. George could always tell the low, middle and upper managers from how they came out in their little groups. It seemed that they all knew each other, but tended to keep a respectable distance from each other. It was going on five o’clock and George and his crew would have to clean up before going home to their own families and supper.

  “George, you never disappoint, that was a wonderful movie. Thank you.�
�� Came Helena’s voice from behind him.

  “The pleasure is all mine, Ms. Michele. I’m glad you enjoyed the movie.”

  The two Silver Arrows pulled up to the curb and the four men once again moved into a watchful position. Mr. Tomain paid George while the rest of the group headed out into the cold February afternoon. Everyone along the street stopped and turned to look at the sound of squealing car tires. Two Packard came around the corner and raced up the street. A black car seemed to be chasing a green car, until a few yards from the theater, when two Thompson submachine guns appeared out of the passenger side windows from both cars. Lukas pulled Helena down behind the Silver Arrow while the four guards and two drivers dove for cover. The sound of the guns roared and echoed between buildings causing the whole neighborhood to jump. The .45 lead bullets ripped into parked cars and buildings. Lukas had to shift his position to cover Helena from the exploding glass from the theater’s windows and lights. George heard a girl scream, and looked from his prone position on the floor to see his ticket girl Cindy curled up on the floor, but gripping her arm. Blood flowed from between her fingers and George forgot about the bullets and glass and scrambled over to help her.

  As the two cars passed just beyond the theater, an awkward angle to continue to fire at them, the four men stood up, their weapons already assembled and ran into the street to pull the triggers. The brass weapons fired almost silently but just as rapidly. The difference between the two opposing weapons was the size of the projectile. .45 Caliper bullets make for a big hole, but the .55 caliper bearings these weapons fired shredded the metal of the retreating cars. The men stopped firing as the cars swerved around the corner. George watched the scene in shocked disbelief but he had to act quickly, Cindy had passed out and was very pale. Mr. Tomain was saying something to him as George lifted the girl in his arms. He let himself be led out of the theater and into the second Silver Arrow. His eyes saw Mr. Reese and Ms. Michele getting into the first car, but his brain didn’t register it. Nor did his mind register that the car, which took a full broad side of bullets, was running like nothing had happened. His mind didn’t register that the windows looked like jigsaw puzzles but were still in place or that the tires weren’t flat like the others on the street.

  Mr Tomain jumped in the first Silver Arrow with Lukas and Helena and the car was racing across town in the opposite direction from its twin.

  “Gerald, find out who that was.” Lukas’ voice was cold and his eyes blazed in the darkened light of the car’s interior.

  “I can tell you that wasn’t the Family. Those guys were clearly armatures, way to sloppy… that made Marcone’s goons look elegant.”

  “I agree with you there. Let me know about George’s girl as soon as you hear… and get a work crew over to the theater, I want it pristine by Friday.”

  “Already on my list, sir.”

  “I’ll help you pick out some paint colors Gerald. The colors in that lobby always made my stomach churn.” Helena added as she fussed with her hair.

  The street was eerily quiet as the last of the cars pulled away but the residents on the street hadn’t come out of their holes yet to see what had happened. Across the street, in the shadows of an alleyway another shadow moved away. It seemed to fade out of one shadowy area and into another, avoiding the light at all cost. It had watched everything, but was uncertain as to what it all meant… for the moment.