An hour ahead

Its been along time, but smiling is coming back!

Title

If you hadn't noticed, the main title/picture has changed in honor of the new Smiling: The Four Seasons and to showcase the Smiling Art Work!

Picture

If you hadn't noticed, the main title/picture has changed in honor of the new Smiling: The Four Seasons and to showcase the Smiling Art Work!

The Smiling Art Work

Smiling as of today(Smiling: The Four Seasons added!)

"Smiling" Act:One Dealing The Wrong Hand
I was tied to a chair in a room with only one light. The light was right above me. I was wearing my usual fancy tie, no shirt, suit coat, hole infested blue jeans mixed with the occasional blood splatter stain every time the two brutes hit me. They wanted answers and all I did was smile. Each time they would ask a question I would pull my head up and smile a pretty blood gushing smile. Then the two fucking brutes would look at each other, then me, then start punching again. Yes Im fucking insane. Yes I have lost my mind. They want me to speak, and all I want to do is smile.

Rosa, this girl from down the street, is tending her garden in her usual red apron red clogs red weed cutter uniform. Shes fucking insane. Everyday I walk by her she says "Well howdy neighbor, how do you do?" I respond nicely with a "Not too bad, yourself?" as I walk on by. My cig always burns to the filter at this point. I ash it then I flick it in her Garden as she watches this little ball of flame glide through the air and into her precious Garden. All she can do is smile. She goes back to tending her garden and I continue walking.

I go to the house of the man I know as Obi Scat Cat. Hes the man with connections. He knows anyone and everyone. His house is this small rundown shack on the corner of 5th and Smith. I knock three times. If you knock once or twice, its a sign that you really dont care. If you knock 4 or more its excessive and shows signs of obsessive and stupid behavior. Three times is just right. I light up another cig just as the door opens. Two tough guys open the door and let me in. Obi Scat Cat is sittin at the table. He gets up and we greet like ol'buddies we are. The ol' Hand shake to hug greeting. "Whats with the new cats?" I say. Cats are what we call the tough guys who answer the door and keep security. "Im on high alert for now and I need some faces to cover my traces" Obi Scat Cat says. " You dont look too happy Scat" Only close trusted friends can call Obi Scat Cat, Scat. "I got this feelin that some good pals of mine are tryin to fuck wit me.". "Who would fuck with you? The network of all people?" I respond as smoke slowly emerges from my mouth."I got this hunch that somehow Rockstar has something to do wit it. I want you to help me get to the bottom of this you dig?". I pull out another smoke from my pocket and offer it to Scat. He shakes his head horizontally so I light it for myself. (Inhale) "Sure Scat, Let me get my boys and we'll find out for ya as long as you give me all the(exhale) information you know." I say. He nods and reaches over to shake my hand. "Listen Scat I've got your back, now its time to-" Scat's phone rings. Its this dame, Olympa, she wanted to know when we were all gettin together. We called her 'Limp' for short. Scat hung up the phone the moment I smashed my cig in the ashtray. He looked satisified, so I smiled.

I decided to leave my boys outta this until shit gets heavy, if it does. I knocked on Rockstars door three times. He answered a little worried. He knew something was up. I tried a little talking but that shit aint his style. So we played music for awhile and the talking sorta came out. The conversation was geared towards anything but Obi Scat Cat. He would'nt talk. All he could talk about was music. Thats it. He didnt want trouble and hes a good pal of mine so I didnt disrepect his wants in his own house. We started to play some meaningful music that made him smile.

Scat had arranged the annual meeting. We all sat at this big fucking table in a smoke filled room playing poker. Scat always sat in the middle and I sat to his right. To his left was Charles aka Chuck. The three of us were considered the elite three of the group. Around the circle in clockwise formation sat Scat,Chuck, Rockstar, Fish, Cuts, Vids and Me. Tonight though was a different lineup. Scat invited the dame Limp. She was new to this group and our business actions. Scat and Chuck gave her a smile and I was my fucking self. "So what brings pretty Limp walking down here?" I sarcastically say. She's a rookie to this whole Poker thing. In no time shes down a dub. I puff my cig and watch as Scat takes the final game like usual. He looks at his chips then at Limp. Chucks is his usual weird nice. Me and the nonelite members are joking around while Scat and Chuck smile at Limp.

More and more 'meetings' would come till finally at the end of one of them. Everyone else starts leaving. I was last to leave but before I could step on the stair to leave, Limp abruptly grabs me by the arm. She drags me onto the concrete floored room away from the group. "We need to talk" the dame says. I look at her hand thats holding my arm "About what?" and I pull my arm out from her grasp."Your the only one in the group I can trust" she says. Shes has her eyes looking at me like a poor innocent sweet cat. Her cute face is fancied by an out of style feathered hooker boa that raps around her neck. She grabs my arm again and says "I need you to figure somethings out for me. It's about Rockstar, I like him and I need you to find out if he likes me ya know what Im sayin!? And Dammit keep it 'in the alley' lets keep this between you and me." Her grip gets tighter. Once again I rip my hand out from her grip. I grab a smoke from pocket and light it up. (exhale)"I'll see what I can do." The dame was relieved that I agreed to help. I gained her trust. She knew I had no attraction for her. She also knew of my connections and that my feelings for her cant get in the way since I have none for her. I walk up the stairs to the door. I stop and turn around and see the dame showing her pearly whites. I smiled back.

I did my usually route and said my greetings to Rosa. I met with Scat to talk about the progress I was making. "Hey Scat, we need to talk. Its about us boys playing Poker. I think something is up". He looks at me in the eyes then down at the floor. "I feel the same. It's no fun anymore. Theres this negativity in the air." We decided to consult Chuck on his views with this situation to see if hes got information for us. I pick up my phone and dial him up.
"Hey" he says gruffly
"Yo we need to talk about some shit" I say
"About what?"
"Pokers dying damn it, and it seems to be takin the group down with it." I say cautiously.
"I know man, I feel the same way."
I look over my shoulder to Scat looking at me concerned.
"We need to figure up whats up now before shit starts to fly."
"I agree, I'll see what I can do"he says
*click*
I look over at Scat and hes more concerned then ever. He looks at me and says,"I got a call from Limp, she needs my help." I look at him like what the fuck is going on. "Wait a sec-what does she want you do?". He looks at me in the eye and tells me that she wants help on getting Rockstar to be her man. "Fuck man! That dame wants me to do the same, she said to keep it secret!" I burst in confused anger. Another cig flings to my mouth. We pull up chairs at the old table. Scat says to me in a concerned voice "I guess if this is what she wants we might as well try to help her". I respond (with cig in mouth and tryin to light it) "I guess". Scat gives me the worried smile, I give him back the 'this-could-be-a-fucking-set up' smile.

I made a stop at Rockstar's house to get some shit straightened. I tried to make him go limp over Limp. All I could get from him was "Im not sure if I like her but I think shes good and all but theres a chance I could. I really want this gal Kats McKat, but I wouldnt mind Limp." Kats was a mysterious dame. I've met her once, but I dont know much about the dame. All he did was give me the "I do, I dont" response. He was taking middle ground. I notifified Scat and Limp on what was going on. I told'em that Rockstar said there was a chance for a "Limp and Rockstar".Scat was worried as was I. Limp on the other got happy. She was smiling.

Scat and Limp would get more involved. He told her everything, and she did the same. The thing with Limp and Chuck was also building. The Limp and Rockstar situation was the same. Except for the fact she kept demanding we get more involved and 'get him to want her'. More and more Rockstar was backing outta the group. We got suspicious and decided to take it to the next level, besides you dont just back out for no reason. We tried all we could or so we thought. Obi Scat Cat calls me up at the lean part of the night.
"Who the fu-" I say before being interuppted
"GET the fuck over here. I aint got time to explain cause shit will never be the same!" Obi Scat Cat says angerily.
*click*
I hustle my sorry ass over with guns loaded and my cig burning. I knock out out both the cats, bunch of novices. I knock three times, but no answer. I instinctively kick the door open with my nines held before me. Scat is there looking me in the face with a shotgun doing the same. "WHAT THE FUCK IS GOING ON!" I say. Scat looks at me and around me. "SHIT AINT FLY AND I THINK ROCKSTAR IS THE GUY!!" Scat shouts. I say "AND WHAT ABOUT THIS SHIT WITH LIMPS!?" Scat looks at me and says "IF I AM HOLDING THEM BACK THEY MIGHT AS WELL JUST DISCONNECT THE CHORD, SEVERE THEIR CONNECTION!! WE MUST FOLLOW WITH MY NEW PLAN-RID OF ROCKSTAR, AND ALL THAT ARE CONNECTED. BECAUSE THIS CONDUCTOR AINT PLAYING THEIR MUSIC!" So we bust over to his car but as Scat steps over the cats and he says "TODAYS LESSON:DOG MEAT!!" Scat takes the wheel and burns out in a fury. Tonight shit hits the fan, tonight we drop the bomb. Oh the smile I had.

We went to Rockstars house and told him we needed to meet at Limps corner. He agreed and met us there. Cuts and fish came with us to make sure we didnt leave a mess. They also made sure to let us do our thing. Obi Scat took a deep breathe of hate and exhaled. "Limps, Rockstar" he said"This has to stop. Tonight, I end it. Tommorow I reap the rewards of tonight." Limps cautiously approaches as does Rockstar. "Whats up Obi Scat Cat, whats the prob-" "Problem?PROBLEM!? The PROBLEM miss Olympa is this using shit. I AM SICK AND TIRED OF BEING A FUCKING DATING SERVICE!! LIMPS AM I A DATING SERVICE TO YOU!?" says Scat. ""N-" says Rockstar before being interrupted "I AM NOT YOUR DATING BITCH! I AM THE NETWORK, THE SHIT THAT KEEPS OUR SHIT SOLID, PROFITABLE AND YOUR FUCKING WITH ME AS A BUSINESS MAN AND A FUCKING HUMAN, WE WERE FRIENDS!!!" The air was dead. We asked Rockstar to get in the car. Cuts and fish decided to leave and stay low for awhile. He undeniable agreed. Before we sped off I looked at Livvy and she was smiling.

Scat and I took Rockstar for a little ride up to the water hole. When we got there, we drew our guns to his head as he did the same. I yelled "All we want is some fucking answers!"he responded by saying "So do I, Goddammit!". Lightening strikes and seconds later, the rain pours down. Any harder and it would be hail. I yell "You know why we're here Rockstar!". Scat's eyebrows sink into a furious rage and says "Fucking Rockstar! After all We've done for you! You were there when I lost my pops and took over the business. YOU WERE THERE from the beginning and now you decide to stabe me in the back!?(gun steadies in his hand) I'm fucking through with this shit!(his thumb slowly pulls back the hammer). All we wanted was to help you and Limp become one and make this problem go away, but Noooo thats not what Rockstar wants, he wants to keep telling us 'I dos' and 'I donts'. (the rain has already soaked us like we were swimming in our clothes) It's time we rid-rather I rid of this problem right now!" Before he could pull the trigger Rockstar responds "Is this what all this shits been about!? Limps? Did she send you here or what!? The whole fucking reason I backed away a little from the group was because of this!?" I yell, "Because of what!?" Rockstar drops his gun in the mud before him. "Because of Limps! Hasnt she told you?" Scat and I look at each other confused. "All that dame has said was that you are expressing interest in her and that you would go out with her sorta thing" I say. Rockstar looks at me in his drenched clothing and says "What the fuck? Awhile back, like a day or so afta that first meeting with her I told her twice(holds up fingers) that I didnt want her at all. I said just as a friend, but fuck man, I told her straight that all I wanted was Kats!" I drop my gun before me and drop a punch on Rockstars pretty little wet face. I start wailing on him, "Fuck, fuck man why couldnt you tell us that along time ago motha fucker!?". Scat grabs my arm as Rockstar speaks "I thought she told you, I thought you guys just had it out for me, like you backstabbed me. I didnt know!" His arm swipes across his nose to wipe the blood. "Fuck man, that really hurt!" Rockstar squeezes out. I drop to my knees in the mud. Have we been made fools? Have we been used to destroy something innocent? It was this moment we all had realized what had happened and that a war was brewing. I grabbed my mud covered gun and got up off my knees. The rain started to get heavier and the wind started to gust with force. I smiled a wicked smile. I tossed Rockstar my gun and patted Scat on the back. I told'em in a soft voice "The mud is warm".

"Smiling" Act:Two-Bustin' My Balls For Bullshit
I walk towards Scat's vehicle. I open the car and reach for my smokes on top the dash. When things get hairy you never leave a sign that you were there. I light up in the rain. Bloodied Rockstar approaches me from behind. I turn around to see parts of his face still barely bleeding. He looks at me and says "Can I have one?" Without question I toss the pack over to him and say "Sure, you can even have two". He grabs a cig then tosses it back to me. I offer Scat a smoke, this time he accepts. You don't fuck with Obi Scat Cat. No one fucks with Obi Scat Cat and gets away it. Rockstar, looks at us then at the ground "What the hell is next then?". You have to go back to zero. All this time you were led the wrong way, the only thing you can do is go back if you want to make a clear choice. Scat says to us "I am not one to host or post this negativity, but the way it shapes the things around me is something I cannot watch nor will bare for it to happen. " I flick my cig and look at Scat then Rockstar. "We going or are we gonna sit here and get fucking diseases?" says Scat. We got in his car. For some odd reason I knew that even if we gotta go back to zero, that we actually accomplished something. Its news like that that makes me smile.

I said my usual greetings and did my routine to Rosa. We have this mutual understanding. I don't fuck with her, she don't fuck with me. If someone on this block goes and mess's this shit up I go gun ho on their ass. In trade she gives me a few tomatoes or vegetables along with some cash. Protection ain't cheap nor is losing in the county fair to some fucking prick who uses chemicals to enhance their crop. Her 'other crop' is my business. No one fucks this shit up. No one. I watch through the back of my eye as she weeds the plants. I say nothing but I smile a grizzly smile.

The two cats greet me at the door. Chucks there already with a smoke lit. He's sitting next to Scat. "Pull up a chair." Scat says while gesturing with his hand. I grab a chair and sit across from the two. Chuck says "We need to talk" . As soon as I sit down I start moving around in my chair. I couldn't get comfortable nor was it a comfortable situation.Chuck says to me in a sly voice, "Hey man whats goin on?" I respond while lighting up a cig, "As if you hadn't noticed, Rockstar isn't the problem." Chuck tilts back in his chair and Obi Scat Cat hangs his head. "If it ain't him then who is it?" I say. Chuck looks at me and gives me no answer and Scat can only look down. I ash my cig and head towards the door, just then Chuck stops me " Keep an eye out on Rockstar." I respond "I lost my one good eye before and I AIN'T losing my other." I look back at Scat. His look could freeze ice. He knew something wasn't right almost worse than it was before. Chuck looked at me and smiled a devious smile.

We gathered for what we hoped was a good poker meeting. Everyone was there in their usual spot. I look at my cards and I look back over at Scat. Chucks whispering in Scat's ear. Next thing you know I catch a glimpse of Chuck slipping scat some papers. After poker was over everyone started to leave. I was in my usual last place in the line. I lit up a smoke before I could press the door open. "You ain't fucking going nowhere." says Scat. "I ain't? Who the fuck says?" I respond. "Listen, we got ourselves a problem" said Scat. He slid the papers in front of me as I grab a chair on the table. "Some motherfucka named Ned Toys took those fucking pictures". They were pictures of Chuck and Limps makin' babies sorta speak. "Shit like this is gonna hit the press and bring a shame to our boy. This little fuck keeps following our boy just to see if he fucks up. Looks like he got one, but that ain't the point. He seems to be fishing for this shit to make big. We need him gone, and done before this hits the press...Oh and don't forget our little fuck is gonna be at the annual ball. So if you have nothing planned, theres your chance." I looked up at Scat and smiled. Finally I get to be let out again.

The ball. Its the annual get together of local thugs, corrupt and noncorrupt officials and rich bastards. Its one night where we all dress up and pretend to like each other. Everyone will be there. Rockstar has the stage that night.Ned Toys is this smooth as ice young kid who takes pictures of well known faces in bad places. You cant threaten this young punk because hes dumb enough to not buy it. In order to get rid of this problem he has to be rid of altogether. Thats where I come in. In order to make this go as planned, he cant be dead before the ball. I call up my Vids.

"Vids and Harry's Video and Harware Store, how can I help you?"

"Im looking for Vids"

"One moment, please hold as I transfer you over sir."
Vid and Harry's Video and Harware Store is a store owned by Vids. Awhile back before he got it, it was called Harry's Hardware. Vids got the place basically for free. He worked out a deal with Obi Scat Cat, vowing to keep the hardware for Scat's "needs" in exchange for the store. Besides they were buddies long before Scat was Scat.

"Hi this is-"

"Vids I need your help."

"What the fuck do you need?" he responds.

"I need some good hardware for the ball"

"What kind of hardware we looking at?"he says.

"I'll put it this way: Vehicle, man, silence. Ok?"

"Pick it up as soon as you need it will be ready. Just don't forget the fact you gotta bring em back so I can make it look good, you know what I'm saying?" Vids says softly.

"Yeah."

"Good, I'll see ya around."
*Click*

(to be continued)

"Smiling" Act Two: Part Two 'The Ballroom'
I open my pack and light up a cancer stick. The smoke fills the room. I pull a chair over to the phone so I could sit and enjoy the smoke. I pick up the phone and make a phone call.

"Hello?" he answer scared.

"Ned Toys? It seems you got information I want."

He responds quietly.
"What information are we talking about? All I got is a story of Jack and Jill go up the hill to fetch a little more than a pail of water."

"I have a story here of friends, friends who want to be your friends. But they can't be your friends if you talk publically like that."

"My story has pictures to go with the words, all of which come with a price. Let me see, the words alone are worth 250 gs. The pictures, well, they a little more. I say no less than 500 G's. And I think the ball's coming up two nights from now. I also think that if the story gets out tomorrow night, It'll be the talk of the town. What do you think. I want some today to make sure this is real"
The little kid had done his homework. I pulled my nine up to the phone.

"That makes me think that if I don't see you down in your hotel lobby by 3pm today, you'll be showing up(I pull the hammer back)to the ball in a bloody bullet tuxedo. The money will be separate and in your mailbox before hand no later than noon. If your a good boy your tux might be looking extra nice."

His voice trembles.
"I-I-I'll be there early and waiting."
Him being scared adds a little more jazz to my morning. It makes me smile.
*click*

I walk over to Obi Scat Cat's place to tell him the news. As soon as I walk in Scat gestures to a chair. I pull up a seat next to him. Chuck walks in, with a cigar puffing, from the other room and pulls up next to me. Chuck says sternly "This Ned Toys problem, you got a solution?" I look him in the eyes, then I look around to make sure no one else knows. "I meet with him at 3. We give him 250,000 now he'll keep mum. We give him the rest later." Scats looks at me and says "So the deal is done. Good, now more important things. I'm looking to expand operations. Any ideas on who to initiate?" I look at Scat's, "How about The Creeper, ya know Creeper has got some talents we could use." Chuck adds in, "I like it alot. When it comes to the forced fight, I want to be the one he fights." Scat nods,"Than it's agreed. I'll throw the idea out to the Creeper at the Ball." Chuck gets up from his chair and ashes his cigar. "Today's a good day. In fact great day, but I can't stay. They need me at this ball rehearsal." He looks at us and smiles from cheek to cheek.

I made my way to the lobby of Toy's apartment. To make sure its not a set up on his part, I look around. There's the usual, cars are parked out front. The only person I see is a man walking outside with a big hat and briefcase. He's wearing sunglasses and a long coat. For a moment he looks around. Then enters a black car. Moments later a lady in a white and purple dress walks fast out and crosses the street. She enters a taxi that just pulled out. An older man appears from the corner of the street and walks in the building. I follow seconds behind him. I grab a paper, light a cig and take a seat. The lady at the lobby desk is old and tired. My voice gets gruffy and I refuse to make eye contact for long periods of time. "Listen here ma'am, I got a letter for a Mr.Toys. He said he was going to come down in twenty minutes. If he doesn't come down, could you bring it up to him?" She doesn't even look up to acknowledge me."I'll be sure he gets it." Her voice is nasally and depressing. It's 3pm and no sign of him. Five minutes later and he's still not here. I walk out to the phone booth around the corner. No one is smiling.

An old lady answers the phone.
"Hilltop Estates, Mrs. Berman speaking. How can I help you?"

"I'm looking for a old friend of mine. His name is Ned Toys. He told me he lives here but I can't remember the room number."

"The room number is 558. Sir should I tell him your coming?"

"No thanks. He'll be anticipating my arrival."

I walk into the lobby and head straight to the elevator. I make sure my nines are ready and waiting. The doors open and there's this little old lady and her poodle. The dogs barking and the old lady has tucked herself into a corner. "Going up?" I ask. She just shrivels up. *Bing* Fourth floor and the door opens. A short self proclaimed distinguished man walks in with a delicate woman. He's wearing a smaller coat. Nothing is concealed. His delicate woman friend is too proud to look my way. All they can do is talk about how the city needs to rid of the scum. She says, "Thank God Hilltop Estates doesn't allow street scum." *Bing* Fifth floor, my floor. I lit my a cig and turn slightly. I flip my coat back a little to let my little friends breathe. I turn to her and say "Seems as if that scum of yours runs deep here." The door opens and I know that its the time. I dream of those nights when I get to get interrogate a fool or hunt him down and hold a gun to his beat up ass. It makes me feel so good I smile.

The door closes and I exhale. The puff of smoke is slow. I pull out my guns cock them and head to his room. My hands are steady, and my mind is focused. This is fun for me. I can feel the adrenaline pump through my veins. I get two doors down from his when I hear some shouting coming from his room. I can hear Ned's voice. It's scared like he's begging for something. I get to his door. My guns are out and ready. Then I hear it. A 8mm sounds off twice. Then the room is silent. Fuck. I kick the door, and I soon as I do guns are blazing my way. They had been waiting for me. I dart across the room into the kitchen. Bullets graze me and one finds its way into my lower chest. There are three guys in the living room and one in the bedroom. I am sitting behind the counter island holding my position. Just then a guy from the living room, bearing a shotgun, charges me like a dumb ass. I pump a clip into his sorry ass before his body barrels to the floor before me. His shotgun slides to my feet. I pocket my guns and grab his shotgun. I jump up and pump lead into a friend of his. But his other friend nails my right arm. I pop up again and rattle his brains with bullets. The last one had barricaded himself into the bedroom. I bust the door and jump the sorry ass. We tussle for minutes. He throws me into the wall and starts to strangle me. I eye ball him to see if has any colors as I gasp for air. Nothing. He pulls himself close to my ear and whispers. "We were expecting you." Just then I pull my gun from my pocket and drop a bullet in his heart. We both drop to the floor. I have no time to gasp for air. I am bleeding really good. I look around but there is nothing. No pictures, no story nothing. The envelope that had the money was empty. This is no time to smile.

I hear some voices come my way. More guys are coming to clean me out. I dart out the door and head the opposite way. They don't notice me. I make my way to the lobby. The lady seems to be oblivious to what has just happened. Gasping for air I tell her as I walk by, "He won't be needing that letter." I walk out the door and head to the phone. I call Scat's.

"Hello?"

"Scat's is that you?" The gunfire has caused a ringing in my ears that pounds louder than I can hear his voice. The blood loss is starting to get to me.

"Yeah this is, what's wrong!?"

"We've got a big rat on the inside!" I am starting to get woozy.

"What the fuck is going on!!" Scat yells.

"I'VE BEEN FUCKED OVER!!!"
*click*
I put more quarters in like a bar drunk way beyond his control. I call C-Rag. He's the doc we go to. I can't go into a hospital like this. Those doctors ask questions, questions lead to investigations. Investigations lead to time. Time we would all have to spend. I hear the phone receiver pick up. I am getting delusional.

"Heyyyy C-Ragggg"

"Where are you?" He sternly asks.

"I am at The Hilltop Estates calling my good ol' pal. That's you."

"You must be getting bad. I'll be on my way."

"They fucked me C-Rag. I just been fucked over real good. Yessirre." I drop the phone and slide down to the bottom of the booth. I lay there in my own pool of blood. All I can think about is what just happened and what is going to happen. All I can do is smile.

"Smiling"Act Two: Part Three-Take the Cheese
I woke up in a cold sweat bare naked in a half filled bath tub. Everything is blurry. I felt like I had been drunk for three days non stop. I hear someone talking in the other room. I can't make out who it is but its three guys. They had stopped talking. One threw on a coat and walked out. The other two turned to me and approached me. The bigger one said "He's awake." The smaller one grabbed a rag and got it damp. He then proceeded to sit next to me on the tub. He looked at me. My vision started to get worse.” Lay down, you need some rest" he said smiling.

I arose from the water of the tub. The pain strikes me till I am paralyzed on the back of the tub wall. C-Rag approaches me from the other room. "Relax, you need to be careful". C-Rag gets up and hands me a note. "You know that if that rat ain't caught soon, all hell will break lose?" I try to sit up as the pain shoots through me like knives. I tell him, agonized with pain, "Yeah. If we don't get to the bottom of this, everyone will get exposed." He looked at me and said, "We? No, No this is all you. No one else can. Scats says you’re the man who has to do it. No one else." I look at him pissed and confused,” Let me get this straight, I got to tend the motherfuckin' Garden while the rest of you watch drinking tea? What the FUCK!" C-Rag puts his hands on my face and holds me sternly. He gives me a straight forward look and slaps me hard across the face. "You motherfucker, we all tend the garden, you just pull the weeds." A harsh snap back to reality. Leave it to the doc to bring a demon a back to earth. C-Rag gets up and heads to the bathroom door. As he walks through the doorway, he says "Now get the hell up, you have weeds to pull." I reach for the pack of cigs next to the tub, and light up a stick. I exhale and slide deeper into the tub. The thought of what’s to come makes me smile.

It's late night and my cancer stick is lit and ready to go. I walk over to Vid's place to make the transaction. I approach the building and notice the lights are off. I toss my smoke to the ground and ready my nine. I exhale the smoke and walk slowly to the back door. I slowly grab the knob to the door when sharp pains shoots through my body. I wince and quietly grunt. I slam the door open and quickly duck to safe ground. Nothing. I get up and check the area nothing. I find my way to the office. Before I open the door I look down to see blood pooling below it. I quickly open the door with my nine leading the way. It was empty of living souls. But there on the desk lay the body and major parts of Vids head. His face still had a smile.

"Hello?" A voice answered

I calmed myself enough to say "Who is this?"

"This is fish, why what’s up?" Fish said.

"You with anyone?" I said calm as a Hindu cow.

"Cuts, why what the fuck do you need?"

"There's some clean up needed, bring what you can to the hardware store"
*click*
I thought to myself for a moment then I called Scats.

"Hello" His voice disgruntled like he just woke up.

"Vid's is dead. Shot in the back of the head."

"SHIT! FUCK! GOD FUCKING SHIT! Clean it up, and get over here!" He yells.
*click*
I help them get the body in the bag. I take a scan around the area and look for any clues of what to expect. I put a cig and suck it down like candy. Cuts approaches me and says "We got everything we need. What do you want to do with this place?" I look around and respond "Ya know..." Memories clog my thoughts. I look down at my cig then up at Cuts,"...lets burn this place down." The deep end just got deeper and the lifeguard is smiling.

I knock three times. His cats open the door and lead me into the room. They're packing heat more than usual. Scats is sitting in his spot with his head in his hands. He's not crying he's frustrated. He looks up at me with his face red and his tongue tonguing his cheeks searching for the right words. He gets up from his chair and gestures for me to sit. He signals the cats to leave. I put my gun on the table and sit and relax. Scats sighs than says to me "Ya remember how we first met?" He looks over his shoulder to see me nod. "I grew up with Vids. Me and him used to always go to my dad's shop. My dad owned that mechanics place on main." He pauses for a moment and light up a smoke. "I remember how we both got into this business. My dad ran a small operation for the family. Every once in awhile my pa would take us with him on small runs. That’s how Vids got big on guns. He loved seeing my dad's stuff." I respond “You remember how you get into this?" He puts his hand on the wall and looks down. "When I was young I watched my dad flip his hundreds and fifties. Not one bill smaller. I wanted that. I wanted to feel that. I remember the night me and Vids say my ma with that fucker. Donnie was his name. They we're going "out to eat". He owned that bike repair shop across the street from my pa's shop. I was young, real young. Later Vids left and I went home. I got home and I heard yelling in my dad's office. It was my ma and pa yelling about my dad not giving her some money. She stormed out. I ran in there and told him what we saw." I ashed my cig and asked "Then what?" He looked at me and said "Then I met you. Uncle Joe or rather Big Toe Joe decided it was time I joined the family. I planned it down to a tee. All you had to do was ride along. My first big task and your first task." He looked at me. "We had done the recon extensively. Better than any other rookies. I remember the look on Donnie's face when I came bearing through his door. We drug him out and tossed him into the car." I add a little bit, "I think he shit his pants cause the car stunk when he got in." Scats responds "Ha yeah. Uncle Joe, the head honcho himself rode with us. Everything was going smooth. We went into the other side of town and brought him to a dark alley. You pulled him out and threw him to the ground. He said something like uh, god save my soul. I said something, what did I say?" I look at him, exhale and say "Something like, um, load something." He looked at me "Ya, ya. I said 'My ma took your load, now on behalf of my father, here's mine.' I remember jamming that gun down his throat and pulling the trigger. I had always thought that my first kill I would be shaking but I felt calm killing him. Then I remember right after you cleaned the gun, they started to come down on us. You shot as many as you could. I remember you pushing your foot on the pedal when that shot broke through the glass and landed right into Uncle Joe's upper chest. Inches from my own self. I watched my Uncle die right in my arms. Two days later my ma left my pa. The gang was crumbling and pa became ill. Two years later he passed away. Shortly after that the love of my life, April, dies saving children in some far off country. Now Vids?" He sits down and rests his head in his hands. Slowly he raises his head. His right hand pounds the table several times and says "Why is it that he has to take everyone around me? When the few get close, he pulls them away! We are at the point in life in which life starts taking rather than giving. HE TAKES AND HE TAKES,WHEN WILL I GET TO COLLECT!!? I CAN SEE HIM SMILING NOW!"

I look at him and ash my cig. He looks at me with a deathly stare. "We go to the ball, and pretend nothing has happened. Ya hear? We meet The Creeper and hopefully arrange a meeting with Cool Hands Luke. Spread the word amongst the boys to act accordingly. Be sure to wear your best by the way, you'll be on duty." Finally we can get the ball rolling. I can't hold back my smile.

I wake up to the sound of my ears ringing. It's the morning before the ball. My chest is in pain, and my breathes are short. I make my way back over to Scats place saying my greetings to Rosa. I get to his place and some old hag of a man is measuring him up and down. "Sit down for a moment" Scats says while motioning everyone else to leave us. I light up my cig and eye ball the room. Scats pulls from the inside of his tux coat a ratted envelope with the name 'Santa' on it. "It’s that time of the month again." He hands it to me and motions for the rest to come back in. "You know what to do with it. Oh and by the way, when you get back, there will be some clothes for you to wear." I got up from my chair and ashed the cig. I look at Scats and I hope its black and red. The thought of something that would blend in with blood and still look good makes my smile appear.

'Santa' is the name of a charity organization known for helping missionary work in developing countries. Since he first emerged in the business, Scats, has been paying the charity for two reasons: One to look like a more legitimate business. And most importantly, reason two: April. April was Scats love interest long before Limps came into the picture and long before we met. A long time ago, when he was rising up the ranks, he was left with two choices. Stay with his dying father, or leave to some far off war riddled country with his love April. He chose family over love. When she left, they promised to write to each other. He also promised to make monthly contributions to the Santa organization that would be directly sent to where she was. When she was gone however, he stopped receiving her letters. He wrote her everyday until the day after the death of his father. For two years he wrote, and received nothing back. Months later, "Santa Claws" brought him the horrible news. The country, for which she had been stationed, was attacked and burned. She was killed, but died in an honor cause . Scats was crushed, but preceded to keep his promise alive amongst pressure from his mind and from the Santa Claws pushed philosophy that continued funding keeps her dream alive along with saving lives. For years this has continued. For a long time the thought of her brought a smile to his face.

Everyday Santa Claws would work the same corner on Main Street. He'd stand there ringing a bell holding a pot for money and wearing a Santa suit. Hence the name Santa Claws. I approach him with the envelope. He looks like a drunken Santa and smells like dead rabbits. I swear every time I see him, his looks get worse along with the smell. Oddly enough, however, his organization is the most respected in the city. I drop the envelope in the bucket when he says, "I see the business gots the money to help others, why don't you empty ya pockets and share the wealth?" I look at him sternly and say "You want my money? Clean yourself, then maybe you'll get my money. I don't give to an organization of people who smell like dead rabbits." I slowly start to walk away when he grabs my shoulder. "Listen here, the charity is having some uh…shortfalls financially, tell your boss Scats, he should put a little more in next time. In fact tell him he has too, or we might go under." I look at him and walk away. I can feel his smile two blocks away.


Smiling:Time To Dance
I look at myself in the mirror. With this fancy red tie the schnazzy suit is missing something. I grab a cigarette, place it my mouth and tuck in my pack. Perfect. The phone rings. I bend backwards to look out my window. My ride is here. The night is set.I run out and jump in. Scats is to my left. He leans over to me and says "The one night were you look handsome. But you still smell like shit, haha." I look at him quietly and respond "Well, you know how much I hate getting blood on my shirts." He chuckles and shows a smile.

We pull up to the ballroom. The building is magnificent. Its tall and gleaming of light. Shining in excellence and star power. The red carpet is rolled for the awaiting celebrities. Rockstar waltz's in with a dame who has glistening blonde hair and a feverish smile. The who of who is decked out in their best. As soon as we walk in, Santa tries to approach Scats. "Obi Scat Cat I need to have a wor-" I grab him saying sternly, "No you need to talk to me." He pushes me off gesturing to back off he's got the point. "Well do you got the money? We could use the financial banking of someone in his stature." I look him sternly in the eyes. "He hasn't decided yet." He slowly nods and walks away. I walk back over to Scats who's mingling with the Creeper. I get there in time to hear the Creeper say to Scats, "Ahh such would be too easy and predictable at galia event such as this magnificent room, is that uh hhhrm... ummm....Limp over there?" I shake the Creepers hand. Its oddly limp. Just then Limps approaches Scats. I gesture a hello to her. I put my arm around the Creeper and him guide away from the other two. "So Creeper, what brings to this fancy get together?" He looks at the floor then to me." Well" he says awkwardly, "An invitation for one thing...and to tell you that soon the dealer will share something with you." I knew he wasn't here for the fancy champagne or the beautiful young women. I stop us at the bar. I order a gin appletini and a pink murder."Well Creeper when can we expect the call?" I gesture to him the drink. He looks down to the floor again. "That would be too easy, sir you know I don't drink, and there is no we...It's you. He will have someone call you and only you tomorrow at 5pm. He requires, however, that no one knows of the incoming call. Good day sir." He ushers himself away while looking at the floor. I slam both drinks. Cuts approaches me from afar. "What did he want? Did Cool Hands say he was going to call?" I look at him, "What's your concern?" Cuts looks dumbfounded. "Nothing I guess, just curious. I'm gonna go make sure our exits are all secured." All I can think of is the news. Good news I guess. Good enough to smile.

I look over to the dance floor. Scats is dancing with Limps. Then the Titanic music stopped. Next thing you know Limps is rushing to the powder room. Scats walks over. His face is dragging.
"You see all that?"
"And more"
"Did it go well?"
"No man, I told her what was becoming."
"I'm going to let you in on something, but first drinks."
"Here's your yee-haw and my yoo-hoo, three days ago, Chuck and I were at Danny's eating some pancakes and I had decided to test Chuck."
"How did you plan to do that?"
"See I called up Limp and put her on speakerphone, so both Chuck and I could hear the whole thing, that way when Limp goes through 'Initiation', we'll see how faithful Chuck is. However when Rockstar came by after he called up Chuck to hang, he heard it as well. Then it was everyone except for you; happened to be around the place. She is still wanting Rockstar."
"Well I had to let her know, man, oh by the way, I got Creeper lined up for 'Initiation'
"Swell, (pulls out cigarette) we need to find Chuck, he's here I went to the bathroom and he was in the food aisle but I can't find him."
"Well are we gonna do Initiation tonite?"
"The night is young, and what we can do tonite can help us for tomorrow."
Rockstar and Chuck come out stage left laughing and smiling, what could be so funny? Chuck approaches the poddium with a grin the size of texas. "Ladies and Gentleman I would like to say a few things. I appreciate you coming, but it wouldn't be possible without the countless hours put forth by volunteers and organizers. So lets give a hand to them..." The crowd eats him up. "Lets also not forget the very giving Santa Claws organization, for their countless hard work making sure that people lives around the globe, are as fortunate as ours..." Applause, as the crowd further swallows the pill. "Ladies and Gentleman, I have to decided on the future for myself and I believe you as the loving people you are, should know first. I AM RUNNING FOR MAYOR!..." The crowd goes wild. Whistles and jeers across the now standing applause. Pigs to the troff. "And now to end the evening, Rockstar, will perform his saxophone piece,'What goes up must go down'." He waves his hand across the stage in Rockstars direction. As if he is ushering him in. Chucks grin is a wicked smile. Scat turns to me, "Listen I have to find Limps, I gotta make things better. Take the boys home, get some rest. The night maybe young but we my friend are getting old..."He starts to walk away then stops and turns around. "...And you don't worry, I'll get a cab tonight. See ya tomorrow." He's a love lost man trying to find his love. "You motherfucka!" A high squeal of an aging child. I turn to see Santa's little elves or rather Micheal, Johnny and Sam. They're Santa's little boys he's hired to ensure his safety. "So what you little bitches want?" They approach me like they're top shit. Micheal the leader of the three, speaks up again. "We here to collect, Santa says you need to pay. He also says someone he calls 'Jack Knife' deserves it." His voice attempts to be aggressive as his moguls circle around me. I walk right up to his face and quietly push my nine into his chest and whisper into his ear. "Listen here Micheal, tell Santa we haven't decided yet. I don't even know a Jack Knife. And I suggest that next time your boys try and surround me again use real guns instead of squirt guns. Next time you pull this shit, your buddy's here will telling about how you died limb by limb to your eigth grade buddies. Ya dig you little fuck?" He quivers in fear, "Yeah sir, I dig." Striking fear into children, now thats something to smile about.

I open my ice box and grab a cold 100 proof. I guzzle the bottle and head to bed. Who's this Jack Knife? Why Cool Hands Luke going to have someone call me and only me? The alcohol passes through and I pass out. I awake to a call. I grab the phone and answer in a grungy, hungover and slightly annoyed voice.

"Fuck you want?"
"We need to talk" Straight to business. It was Scats.
"Fuck yeah we do."
*click*
I head to his place. Its early in the morning, too early for someone hungover. I knock three times and walk in. Scats is gazing out the window.
"I found Limps" he mutters as a cloud of smoke comes pouring from his mouth.
"I figured you did" I mumble loudly.
He takes a deep breathe, "We went out for a late meal. Things went well."
I exhale and grab the nearest chair, putting my feet up on the table. "Don't leave me hanging here."
He chuckles then looks down. He raises his head only to peer out the window. "She took me to her place. I told her how beautiful she was. She looked me in the eyes and told me in a deep meaningful way, 'thank you'. She started to tear up. I asked her why she was gonna cry, and she said that no one has said that to her before. I couldn't hold back, so I moved forward and kissed her on the cheek. She pulled me in closer and kissed me on the lips. And this feeling overcame my body."
I inch my ears closer, "What feeling was that?" He turns to look at me. His eyes were watery and soft like a wet pillow. His body was more relaxed and focused. His voice arose "Peace.." He pauses for a moment. "I had for a moment, kissed an angel and received peace of the soul. We made love that night. The next morning after I was refreshed from spending a night with an angel, I awoke to hear a voice crying." His voice was becoming more and more sniffled and faint. Tears were starting to roll down from his eyes. "It was her crying in the bathroom mirror. Her face was flooding the sink like an angel peering into the sea of the damned. Thats when it hit me. I could feel my soul pull through my body. I asked her..." He gasps for air "...Its Chuck you love, its not me is it? She pulled her head from the sink to look at me in the mirror. She gasped for enough breathe to speak. Her voice weak from all the crying, 'I don't know'. She broke down even more. It was then I knew I had tainted an angel. Made light into dark. I had destroyed heaven. I lost everything right there. I have nothing." He burst into an uncontrollable mix of rage and morning. He collapsed to his knees. His hands covering his face like the devil asking for forgiveness through his tears. Then he went silent. I was finally able to speak. "You still have me, darlin'". He started laughing and laughing. He arose from his knees and placed his hand on my shoulder. He said calmly "Thank you my friend. Now to business. Was there something new you have for me?" I ash my smoke and light up another. "Yeah, our so called good friend Santa is in need."
"So he wants us to pay him more?" Scat says in a mockery.

"Yeah, I guess so, think we should do it?" I ask

"Do YOU think we should? His whole gang is a sham, I mean c'mon look at that some guy who thinks he's immortal, he'll get his just watch."

"Yeah that would be somethin' huh scat? Heheh" I comment

Scat now laughing hysterically, "Whaddya think, d'ya think that he'd roll on down here to talk to us about his financial windfall oohhhhhh" Scat says with his arms in the air. "My sister has her kid to raise, what's this guy think he is? No we don't pay him a dime more, leave it at that."

"Scat, I'm gonna go home and rest for an hour or so, should I swing by your place?" I ask

'Give me a call, see if I'm there, I might go pay my sister a visit."

"Okay, I'll do that then,"

"Santa, what kinda jerk does he think he is?" Scat exclaims in a laughing undertone

It draws out a smile out of my face

I enter the shabby apartment I found for myself. The place isn't all that bad, a leaky faucet, some broken plaster...It's all I could ever want for a guy like me. I throw off my coat on to the couch. The patio doors reveal a setting sun. I sit down and light up a cig. Kicking up my feet on my table there's a ring at my phone. I pick up.

"Hello?" I ask

"Talk to your boss yet?"

"Is this Santa?"

"Where's my money?!?"

"We aren't gonna pay you anything at all, you already get a lot out of----"

"OH YOU WILL, I have someone dear to your boss,"

I can hear something on the other side of the phone, a woman, could it be limps? Wait no, she's not even around that part of town at all....then I hear her.

"Help! Tell Scat I'm alive!"

The bullets that had riddled my body re-enter my psychological state of mind, there's no way it could be...

"April...?"

"THAT'S RIGHT YOU FUCK!"

"Pay us at Union Triangle in two hours!"

(click)

I dial up Scat, one ring, two rings, third ring!

"Hello?"

"Scat! We gotta pay! We gotta pay Santa!"

"What the hell are you talking about? We agreed..."

"April! I remember her voice! It sounded so clear!"

"What are you talking about? April is dead."

"I Know but I heard her! There's no way I could've forgotten that voice!"

"Get over her a soon as possible." Scat says in a gruffy voice as he hangs up the phone.

I can't even begin to imagine the sick demented smile that fuck Santa has on himself.

Smiling: The Four Seasons
The door flings open and Scats hands reach for my neck, grabbing my collar and thrusting me into the far wall. In a normal situation I would have fought back and ended the situation in a stand still. "HOW COULD YOU BETRAY ME!?" His hands grab me again and he chucks me through the coffee table. "Betray you? What the fuck you talking about?" He grabs hold of me and steadies his anger."You received his call without me, behind my back!You BETRAYED me! Of all people!" He throws my body into the near wall. I slide down. "I was told that only I could take the call." I get up and punch Scats smack in the gut. With his body bent over I leaned in to say "I didn't want to compromise us by screwing it up." I throw him into chair. "You were going to know sooner or later, I had too tell you regardless." His nose was bleeding. He struggles to get up, but as I offer help he pushes me away. He adjusts himself to sit up and speak. "Ya know, I want to be done with this worrying shit." I look over at him and ask "Once this is all over, will we be over?" He wheezes, "Yes." I adjustmy coat and tie and head out the door. Maybe later I can smile.

I head to a local restaurant to get a bite to eat. I walk in, grab the newspaper and pick a seat. This beautiful brunette waitress in blue denim jeans that hug to the thighs, glides to my table. Without even looking up this gift from God asks if I am ready to order. I tell her I'll take some pancakes with a side dish of sun side eggs. She looks up to confirm the order. Her eyes are a soft hazel. It was like running through a field on a clear blue sunny day. The door jingles as The Creeper and Santa Claws move in and grab table. The angel waitress moves to their table. They hardly notice she's there. Luckily, I'm close enough to hear.
"You got the money, Creep?"

"You have the letters, Sir?" A small envelope slides from Creeper to Santa Claws, while numerous letters slide to the Creeper.

"Ya know Creep,I'm Glad this is the end of the deal. Why doesn't your boss deal with me directly? Huh? Why can't Chuck bring his ass down instead of being some hot shot bitch? He ain't no Obi Scat Cat."

"Mr. Santa Claws, however Chuck handles his business is between him and those he works with. You know better than I do that our great leader Chuck is a busy man. One last thing, never bring up Obi Scat Cat, you know that upsets him." Santa gets up from the table.

"What is he? your Goddamn Jesus, or somethin'?" Santa says in confusion. The Creeper voice readies with anger."No...He is the future, sir." The Creeper doesn't make eye contact. The waitress places a plate of grilled cheese and bowl of tomato soup down before the Creeper. He doesnt look up to acknowledge her thoughtful service. Santa shrugs his head and leaves out the door. The angel waitress appears to my table with my order. "Will that be all sir?" She sings to me. I look at her carefully, losing myself to the thought of the heavens."Could you be so kind to bring my check?" Her smile lights up the room. "Right away sir." I keep my eye on the Creeper, curious as to which envelopes he has. The meal is delicious. "Your check, sir." I reply in aww to essence,"Thank you ma'am." I tip her well and make way for the Creepers table. He gets startled when I sit in the seat across from him.
"Creeper! What Brings you to this fine dining?" I throw my arms open as if showcasing the building to him.
"Hello, Sir. The uh, same reason your here I guess, for the fine food and the fine service. What brings you to my table?" The Creeper is anxious to veer away from suspicion.
"I happened to notice that you and Santa were here enjoying a meal. Care to discuss the fine details with me?" I leaned towards him, using my hands to hold my head. I pull a cig from my inside pocket and light it. I exhale the smoke in his face, "What, Scats got your tongue? Or maybe it's Chuck?" Creeper rose up in anger, ready to storm out. "You don't want to leave..." I open up my coat just slightly so he can see the handle of the heat. He sits back down and quickly looks away."What, sir, is it that you want from me?" He starts peering out the window anxiously. I jump the gun knowing that time is limited. "I want those envelopes you have and I want some answers." He looks at me then back out the window. "Regardless of what I tell you, it's too late." I respond,"Too late for what?" He looks at me deeply, "Chuck already has the rest of them, and thats all I am going to say. Now if you'll excuse me, I have business to tend to." I get up so I am face to face with him. "That is all your going to say." I quiet him with a silenced heat. I slowly lay him in the seat and swiftly take the envelopes from his pockets. I make my way out the door and start walking towards the downtown area. I lit up a stick and head towards Santa's workshop. As I'm walking, Chuck and his gang cart by me heading towards the Restaurant. They move so fast they don't even notice me walking. That makes me smile.

I make a mad dash towards Santa's workshop, checking my nines along the way. I burst through the door only to be greeted by a bottom feeder employee, Johnny Shambalooza coming out from the office. "You aren't supposed to be in here!" He comes at me unarmed. Frustrated I respond,"Fucking Shit JOHNNY!" and I knock him out with the butt of my gun. I dash to the office and low and behold theres a woman tied to a chair and blind folded. She screaming at the top of her lungs, but her voice is muffled with a duct taped sock. I rip the sock out of her mouth and untie her from the chair. Her hands and feet are bound together. I throw her onto my shoulder and head out the office. The door burst open and its Santa Claws accompanied by Chuck and his gang. I don't have time to talk. I run the other way up the stairs. They follow close chasing and shooting at me. We reach the top floor only to find our exit is to go out the window and onto oncoming traffic or go out with them and hope hell is as warm as they say. As far as she's concerned, we only have one way out. I can hear the feet get to the top of stairs. I take a few steps back. Chuck shouts from behind me "IT ENDS TONIGHT!" I make a mad dash and we fly through the window. I position myself so that when we hit bottom, she'll land on me. It's just like the books. It seems so slow. You have the time in the world to fall.
BAM
God must like her a lot. We land in a garbage truck. A few moments pass and then the scream of a lifetime. The woman finally realized what might have just happened. I don't have time to remove her blind fold. I grab her and jump out of the truck as soon as it stops. I run with her on my shoulder. I run till the blood becomes acid. Till the shoulders are weak. I run till my legs collapse from under me. I fall throwing her forward. We happen to be at Scats place. He comes running out the door."What the Hell is going on? Who is this you got tied up laying on my lawn?" Before I can catch my breathe she speaks. "Scattie Cat, is that you?" Her voice was sweet and subtle. He collapsed to the ground."April, is that..."He removes her blind fold. He freezes, starring deep into her eyes. I pull myself up. "We dont have time to play remember who. They want it all and all is both of you gone." Just then a fast moving car turns the corner a few blocks down. I grab Scats and thrust him up,"Scats! two blocks west a man in a white house with a garage, is a man called Newbie. Go there tell him you two are my brother and sister. Tell him I need you to borrow his car for me and pick me up. When you get the car, you go. You go till the gas is fucking gone, till the sign says "Somewhere Else"." He looks at me in confidence and asks "Will you honor our deal?" I look at him and nod in agreement. "Hurry they're coming!" He quickly unties her and they run like hell. I walk into the door and tell the cats to leave and go home. I lock the doors and shut the windows. I grab as much ammo as I can and ready the house for war. Like rain, the men come pouring through the door. They come barging through the doors and windows. I kill as many as I can but soon the ammo runs out while they do not. Bullets rip through my shield of a table. Finally the gunfire takes me down to my knees. More shots to the chest. I can't even move anymore. Chuck stands above me and motions for two men to pick me up. He asks "WHERE IS HE!?" I just smile. I use all the strength left and start kicking. Soon the two men can't handle me. A third comes and whacks me till the lights turn off in my head. All I could do was smile.

I was tied to a chair in a room with only one light. The light was right above me. I was wearing my usual fancy tie, no shirt, suit coat, hole infested blue jeans mixed with the occasional blood splatter stain every time the two brutes hit me. They wanted answers and all I did was smile. Each time they would ask a question I would pull my head up and smile a pretty blood gushing smile. Then the two fucking brutes would look at each other, then me, then start punching again. Yes I'm fucking insane. Yes I have lost my mind. They want me to speak, and all I want to do is smile.

Smiling: The Four Seasons

A NEW SMILING(Smiling: The Four Seasons) HAS JUST BEEN POSTED!!!!!ENJOY!!!!

Smiling: Time to Dance

To read the latest Smiling go to http://sandpstuff.blogspot.com/2008/07/smilingtime-to-dance.html
SAPS or

Smiling: Time to Dance