“Jim I have to ask you to speak more clearly buddy. I am having a hard time understanding you. Perhaps you would feel more comfortable if you were sitting, huh? Would you like to sit up Jim?” David turned to Frank, “Frank would you please help our friend here sit up?”
“Of course, David. Anything you like.” Frank reached over and grabbed Jim by his shoulders. He pulled hard and fast, jerking the dislocated arm savagely. There was an audible click of bone on bone and Jim screamed again.
“Frank,” David said, “perhaps that was not such a good idea. I think he was more comfortable lying on the floor. What do you think Frank?”
Frank shrugged, “When you’re right, you’re right David.” He kicked Jim across the face knocking him back. His lacerated face began pumping streams of fresh blood.
“Yes he does seem more relaxed now,” David said. He leaned over to wipe blood off his shoe. While leaning over he snarled into the cringing Jim’s ear, “did you really think you could get away with taking my drugs and my money without me knowing about it?”
Jim tried to make himself smaller but David began stomping him with kick after kick in the stomach and ribs as Jim tried futilely to roll away. It was a hailstorm of punishment with David swearing and spitting with each blow. Jim was screaming in pain and agony and then he vomited. “Agh Christ Jim, you fucking puked on my fucking shoe? I don’t fucking believe you! That will cost you; you shit-heel-mother-fucker!” He kicked Jim in the groin and then wiped his shoes disgustedly on the seat of Jim’s pants. He was panting hard as he looked over at Frank. He ran his hand through his sweaty black hair and bent over with his hands on his knees; chest heaving. He wiped his forehead again and gasped, “Frank would you please ask Jim again what we want to know? I do not believe our friend here told me the last time I asked.”
Frank leaned over and whispered in Jim’s ear, “Your old pal David would like to know all about this fucker Marilyn is working with and when and where the next pick-up will be. Would you be so kind as to tell David and I so we can end all this unpleasantness?"
Jim would have given them his last wad of toilet paper. “Yes-yes! I’ll tell you! I don’t know much about the guy. He’s very secretive. He’s a scary fuck though, I can tell you that! I could see it in his eyes, something just ain’t right there! He’s a tall dude … very good looking, but he doesn’t let you get the big picture of him; always turning away, ever really allowing you to get a good look at him. When I was patrolling today, I’m almost sure it was them I saw late this morning heading out of the harbour. But I can’t be sure; I was watching the boat traffic.
“When is the god damn next pick you ass hole?”
“The pickup is this Sunday, at the IHOP on A1A at 1:30 in the afternoon.” His split and tortured face split and tortured his enunciation, but the message was clear enough.
“Oh,” said Frank. “now was that so hard Jim?” He kicked him in the kidneys and Jim rolled over and passed out. “H-m-f, the IHOP, how cool is that? In broad day-light too.” He shook his head in amazement and leaned over to rouse Jim, grabbing him by his bloody lapel and slapping his forehead. Jim’s eyes rolled back, but blinked open then gaped as he realized who had him. He tried to squirm away again but bumped up against the hard wheel of a fork lift. Frank just dropped him and stood over him, looking down at the likes of a pile of garbage.
David stepped over and straddled the prone bulk that was Jim. “OK Jim, here is the deal. We’re going to let you go. You’re going to get yourself cleaned up and if anyone asks, you had an accident ... any kind of accident, make something up. I hope you are not dumb enough to go anywhere where they might ask question about your lovely face. I might suggest that you call our EMT friend, you know, Paul. He is always standing by for us when little accidents like this happen. He will know what to do. Do you understand Jim? Jim mumbled yes. “Good, we do not want any trouble now do we Jim?. I am sure we need more information later and you’re going to get it for us, right Jim” Jim’s wide eyes and head were seesawing like he had bobbing-head-doll syndrome. “I want you to meet your contact as normal except this time you will give them a little package that I have for them. I want you to look for Frank a little before 1:30 and exchange packages. You understand me Jim? No fuckups! How is the package wrapped Jim?”
“In birthday wrapping.” He moaned. He seemed resigned now to his fate.
“Well aren’t you clever. Listen to me. Do not wrap yours like normal. Keep it in a plastic shopping bag. Got it you piece of shit? And then you will come directly here with my money. Now Jim, if by some chance you think you might be able to do something different, just remember, I know where you live. I know where your family lives and I will not think twice about slicing your pretty wife into pieces, ok?”
“Yes, of course, whatever you want.” He begged. He dropped his head and said, “I never really wanted to work with Marilyn.” Jim’s pleading moans meant nothing to Dave and Jim knew it.
“Really Jim? That is so comforting to hear. I never really wanted to slice your face up, but, hey shit happens. Wouldn’t you agree Jim? Hey Jimbo, old buddy, let’s hope that you don’t do anything else you never really wanted to do. You know that Frank has a habit of making bad shit happen.” David stood up straight and began to organize his dishevelled persona back to his normal fastidious self. “I think our friend understands what to do now. Untie him Frank.”
Frank flicked his knife out again and cut the zip ties. Jim fumbled in an attempt to stand. Frank grabbed Jim by his shoulders again and pulled him up fast and hard. Jim screamed and his eyes rolled up out of sight. He passed out from the pain and crumpled back to the blood soaked floor. “Let him alone until he wakes up.”
It was several minutes before the ravaged man regained consciousness. He slowly struggled to stand, very unsteadily. He tried to compress his torn cheek, but the blood dripped through his bruised fingers. Trying to hold his wrenched arm tightly against his chest he breathed shallowly; hoping to alleviate the biting pain.
David waited a moment to be sure Jim was going to stay with them this time and then said, “How convenient that today is Thursday and that you have a couple days to clean up. “Remember Jim, you come back here Sunday at noon and I will have a little package for you to give to Marilyn’s runner. Oh, and Jim, don’t forget to think of something to tell them about the cheek, well, the cheek, and the eyes. We do not want them to suspect anything, do we now Jim? And you know, the rest of it. I ‘really’ apologize Jim. I did not mean to disfigure that lovely face of yours today.” He laughed, “I had planned to wait a few days. But you know how it is when you’re having fun. Sometimes it is hard to stop. And as I said, ‘shit happens.’ Frank will you please open the door for our friend?”
Frank walked over and pressed the door opener.
The huge double doors slowly slid apart. Frank looked back at Jim and jerked a thumb to the gaping doors. Jim found a new burst of energy as he realized he truly was being let go. He shuffled toward the door as fast as his body would allow.
He threw himself through the doors and was gone. “You just going to let him go?” Frank asked.
David smiled, and checked himself over once again to make sure he was presentable. “After he delivers the money to us you can have him. Follow him back to his house and make him do a little partying. Be sure he over-doses. You can have him sniff your special mixture.” He bent to look at his reflection in the window. He licked both forefingers and smoothed his perfect eyebrows and said, “And Frank, do not leave his house until you see white foam flowing from every fucking orifice!”
David stood back up after one last satisfied look at his reflection. His eyes sparkled.
3
David paced the floor and screamed at Frank, “Where is she?” They were in his Merritt Island Mansion; as he liked to call it. It truly did have all the amenities, including a forty-eight foot Hattaras, moored and all ready to go in the back yard. The 4,200 square foot house was situated on the Indian River
in Cocoa Beach that gave him access to the Atlantic. It was perfect for his line of work. He could be in the Bahamas in little time with no record when he needed to. Dave told Marilyn it was so they could take romantic trips to the Bahamas when they wanted to go. They never did though. Marilyn hated that it took a ‘whole’ forty-five minutes to get to the Cocoa Beach Locks to get out to the Atlantic..
“I don't know David. Maybe it was her Jim saw on that boat yesterday.” He knew David was furious. “The last time I saw them was yesterday morning near the marina so maybe ... yeah, it makes sense. She was with, you know, Mr. Asshole. He was just like Jim described him. I was close enough to be sure it was him, although I still never really got a good look at his face. It’s like the guy thinks he’s a frickin’ movie star; always with the hats and big sunglasses. What’s up with that shit man? That guy’s got something to hide, David! “Yea, my money”.
"I´m sure it was him. Jim’s description was right on - you know? And that same body language and all that says ‘Hey, look at me, I’m a tough guy, and I can do what I want with whomever I want.
David looked at Frank and said, “What in hell are you mumbling. Where are they now? Who the hell does that fucker think he is?” David screamed as he pounded the desk. He straightened and stared out past the boat to the sparkling lights that dotted the far shore. “If he thinks I will put up with this garbage any longer, fucker’s going to have a reality check; real fast! So where are they? I pay you for information Frank, so let's have it! Where in the hell are they?”
“I told you David, jeesh, I’m sorry as I can be about this!” He got up from the over-stuffed chair in front of the desk and started pacing. “I don't know! They left separately from the restaurant and I wasn’t able to follow them both so I stuck with him. But I think he made me. At one point I thought he may have spotted me so I turned off to the right for just a few seconds near the Cocoa Beach Pier. By the time I was able to get back to A1A I had lost him. They had to be in that area because it was not more than a minute at most … he was just gone! I circled the area for maybe thirty minutes and then I thought of the marina at the Port. When I got there your other boat had been put in the water. There was no one there and the boat was gone. After I asked around discreetly, I waited for several hours and left. When I came back later, the freaking boat was back and the dock hand was putting it away. I must have just missed them!”
“You left?!”
“I got hungry!” He looked down at the floor and nervously dug the toe of his shoe in the thick rich carpet.
“You got hungry? You got hungry and you left? You idiot!”
“Well, not actually left David. You know I would never do that, right?” He laughed nervously, “I went to that restaurant next to the marina and kept watching all the boats coming in. I guess I missed them; I’m sorry. I should have stayed but I thought I would be able to see when they came back. .
“After I ate I went back to the marina and the boat was just being lifted out of the water. I stopped the dock-hand and asked him to let me check it before he put it on the racks. I checked every square inch David; found nothing. Then I waited for an hour just in case they might come back for some reason, but they didn’t. I asked anyone that might have seen them if they knew where they might have gone.
“The dock-hand said he had helped the captain tie up the boat. He said that the captain washed the boat totally by himself. You and I both know that no captains ever wash their boats there. The boat-hands do that. I asked the dock-hand about that and he remarked that he thought that was very weird too since washing was included in the dock storage fee. The boat-hand remarked that he wondered who the guy was, but that many times, people other than the owners use the boats so he didn’t think too much about it. He gave me his description and it was definitely him; tall, very good looking; broad shoulders, muscular and a smile that makes men wonder why they’re not gay. It was him all right!
“I asked if he had seen Marilyn. He said the man was alone when he returned but that he thought maybe he had seen him with a lady earlier. He said he wasn’t sure because the mornings are always very busy. He didn’t have time to pay attention to whom was doing what. I do know they were together right before I lost them though.”
“Shut up, you idiot. What the fuck are you telling me? That he went out to sea with her and returned alone? Did he kill her or was this her chance to escape from me? I need to know the answer, Frank. She needed to die, not just vanish. She has been stealing from me for too long now and it’s time for me to get my money back. And, if she is still alive thank her for her hard work with a little surprise. The boys in Chicago will not play nice if they ever find out and you know I can only keep it from them for so long!
“That bastard had better run hard and fast because when I find him he will wish he was dead. That is my wife you are talking about. And she knows way too much for her to just vanish too, you understand me Frank?!”
Frank nodded vehemently. “Sure – sure, David!”
“I want you to find her and bring her to me! And if she is dead I want to know! Then I want you to take care of him, slowly and painfully, got it? This time it´s your job. Do you understand me Frank, do you understand? If you don't get him I will personally hang your cojones on my mantle and throw darts at them. Your balls or his; your choice. Do you get the God - Damn – Picture – Frank!?” He stood up rapidly and threw a paperweight against the wall.
Frank put up his hands and said quietly, trying to sooth, “Yes David, don’t worry, I got it,” He went over and picked up the paperweight and placed it back on the desk just out of David’s reach. “And thank you David, for this opportunity, I won’t let you down!”
“Then do it, you fuck, and I want you to get my money back too, every fuck’n penny. She thinks I don´t know she was skimming my drugs and money and fucking that bastard. What kind of an idiot do I look like?” He counted off on his fingers; get her, get him, get my money, comprendes? You had better, or it´s your ass too!”
“Yes sir, I will! You don’t have a thing to worry about … I mean I understand, I will get her, him, and the money! I will take care of it all David … permanently!”
Frank stared at David, still prepared to duck if need be. Clenching his fists, David’s face was as red as a kimono. He turned and faced Frank very slowly. Very quietly he said, “Who in the hell do they think they are messing with? They have no idea.”
4
They say I´m crazy. I'm not crazy; I'm Sherine, the princess of beauty, love and intrigue and of course I do have a little she-devil in me, but we all do, don’t we? . I’m not crazy. I may be a little confused at times. After all you would be too, wouldn’t you? Everyone I meet loves me. Then they start to act a little crazy. It is not me. I am not crazy. What do they know? I can know it all and I can do it all. Crazy? They are crazy. They say I tried to hurt myself. That is crazy. Why would I want to hurt myself?. I love myself and everyone around me.
I had to get the love back that he took from me and I did. That is all. He took my love and I had to get it back. He put a small piece of the devil in me when he took away my love. I want to love. I need to love. I live to love. I do love... It is not right saying I am crazy. They are all so mean to me. I am just confused and upset that is all. Of course I knew I could get my love back because the angels told me ever night when they visited me that I could with time. Time heals all and when I do as they say I would be at peace again
To get the devil out would be easy. I had a plan. I could see the devil in me at times when I was sleeping. All I had to do was catch the devil with my love.
I knew it would be easy. You can see it now. I knew he would return so I had to do was wait.
This is not crazy. If I were crazy how would I know I had the devil in me too? That proves that I am not crazy. They are crazy, not me.
That is why I did what I did. I took it all back, all of it. The devil is dead. I control the devil now, and I will for eternity. There is no devil i
n me now, only love. That is why everyone loves me. No one else can do it. They do not even see the devil. I see him and I control him now. I am free.
So why am I locked up in this hospital, this crazy ward, this prison? I know why. He needs me to be with him. He always did. The devil has to have love too. After all he lives here too.
If I´m crazy then how can I remember my life? I never hurt myself, like they say I did. At least I don´t remember ever hurting myself. They say I´ve hurt others. I don´t remember ever doing that either. I am a loving person, I was just confused.
Well, I’m not confused now. That is all. I´d never hurt anyone. I love flowers. I always have flowers. How can anyone that loves flowers hurt anyone? And babies ... and dogs? ...
I can remember when I was a kid, maybe as far back as three or four. We lived with my father. I can remember my mother putting pretty dresses on me and my sister, telling us stories of beautiful islands in the sun and of how someday we would travel the world and see all the wonderful things that the world has.
One of my early memories is a few days before my parents split up. It sticks in my memory because it was near the last time. I would not see my dad for a long-long time. When we were sitting at the table, my mom asked ¨What are we doing this weekend”? My dad said, “ I’m going to Jetty Park with the girls, I promised Sherine and Michelle I would take them, they love it there.”
My My Little Prince Page 3