When the smell of garbage and sausage greeted his nose, Bartolo knew that it meant he was finally home back in the old neighborhood in Brooklyn. He grew up here, found love here, and caused a lot of trouble here. He was in New York on business one of his boss's clients didn't like the deal he had so Bartolo was sent to convince him to take the offer at the bottom of the Hudson river. 

With some extra time left before his flight he had heard that an old friend Jimmy Bell was finally getting released after ten years inside and wanted to attend his welcome home party.

Jimmy Bell meant a lot to Bartolo. He was kind of a father figure to him while Bartolo's real father spent his time gambling and drinking his money away, Jimmy taught Bartolo how to be a man. They met when Bartolo was just a kid and was working as the local paper boy. They'd chat every morning and Jimmy always tipped Bartolo an extra dollar but wondered why he never used the money when he'd always show up wearing the same beat up shoes. Bartolo told him about how his father would beat him and take the money to either go drink it or gamble it.

The next day his father got a black eye and Bartolo and Jimmy grew close. As he got older he'd do small jobs for Jimmy he started by sell cigarettes, then moved onto boosting cars, and finally murder.

Wanting to impress Bartolo put on a nice suit and then after looking through the phone book managed to get a hot date some expensive blonde escort and was standing outside of Buddy's Bar. It's been in the neighborhood for years and ran by old Charlie. Bartolo stomped out his cigarette and went inside. It smelled like alcohol and smoke, but the place was packed. He recognized a couple of faces Todd, Melvin, and Joe.

Todd and Melvin were just like Bartolo they were a part of his small crew he had when he did jobs for Jimmy. Joe took a different path and ended up becoming a cop but was just the same. They were laughing and drinking but their eyes lit up when they saw Bartolo walk in.

"Look who it is."

Bartolo then felt a tap on his shoulder and turned around it was Jimmy.

"Jesus Christ almighty! Bartolo all dressed up and doin the town. I haven't seen you in Ten fuckin years."

They hugged each other and then Jimmy bought drinks for everyone.

"Damn have you gained some pounds."

"Yeah yeah just don't embarass me in front of my date."

"You're my life, Bartolo. I ain't ever had kids but you're the closest I've ever had to what I could consider a son. But if I wanted to embarrass you I'd tell you to go and fetch me my copy of the paper."

Everybody in the bar laughed except for Bartolo

"He was the best. I used to call him Bartolo paper. Every day this kid would have the paper glued to his hands."

Bartolo got a bit angry at that. Even if he did look up to him Jimmy did eventually get on his nerves.

"No more papers Jimmy. I don't know if you've heard but I don't sell papers no more."

"I'm sorry Bartolo I didn't mean to offend you I just got out. It's been ten years since I seen ya relax."

"Fine lets just enjoy the party."

"As soon as you get me my paper."

Bartolo smashed his drink and started cursing Jimmy out. Bartolo's friends held him back Jimmy really loved to push Bartolo's buttons.

"Yeah yeah go back to Hollywood!"

Bartolo hailed a cab and opened the door for his date. Instead of entering the cab with her he stopped and gave her a twenty dollar bill and told her to wait for him at his hotel room.

As the party winded down and everyone left. Only Todd, Melvin, along with Jimmy and Charlie remained having a couple more drinks and talking. Charlie went to the bathroom and Jimmy was telling some joke no one heard when the door opened and Bartolo came in. He picked up an empty bottle and smacked Jimmy in the head with it. Jimmy fell and then Bartolo, Todd, and Melvin beat the shit out of Jimmy and Bartolo took out a gun and shot him.

"Lets clean this mess up."

Bartolo, Todd, and Melvin picked up Jimmy's body and put him in the trunk of Todd's car. They drove out to some place in Jersey and buried Jimmy.

"Not a word."