Listen. The Smith & Jones Company on Scoth Avenue is named after a damn lie, for there is no one that works there or ever has under the name Smith or Jones. The surrounding area around it is full of scrub and spindly weeds and you can barely tell the difference between each road leading to the damned place. The building itself is visible from some distance away it's just that the brick walls all around it would remind you of some sort of maze and a lot of turns lead to some sort of dead end.

The vehicle that was approaching the building did know it's way around very efficiently and shortly after it stopped, the door opened and a man stepped out and walked through the main door of the building. He made haste when walking to the clock in machine as he didn't like being late for anything never mind work.

He was an unusually tall man in his thirties and ever since he can remember he's had this nervous tick which made him constantly look at his watch every five minutes or so. He wasn't supposed to be here today but he finds it hard to say no to people and when a co-worker asked him yesterday to cover his shift, well, he said yes didn't he.

The mans name was Blue James Keenan but everyone just called him Blue. He loved his family and was looking forward to being with them today but instead he got to sit and stare at a picture of them that sat on his desk. His only job was accounts and he was constantly reminded of that, as his boss Jerry would say 'write down the numbers, sort them out and keep your mouth shut.' Smith and Jones was all a big cover up for some rather shifty Clientele... 

Blue's hand felt heavy as he set the receiver down into the cradle. He swiped his hand across his jaw and shook his head as his secretary popped her head in. 

"Is everything alright sir? I heard you yelling."

Blue nodded, unable to look her directly in the eyes. The thought of his family being held by an unknown madman who was demanding the kind of money that most people could only dream of increased the feeling of heaviness and dread. 

"I'm uh, going home for the day Jan. I've got some family business to attend to."

His voice was low and he was uncertain if Jan had heard him as he stood, brushing past her brusquely. He grabbed his jacket and hat from the rack and yanked open the front door, leaving his bewildered office staff behind. He glanced at his old fashioned pocket watch, the one his uncle had left him just before the war, and fiddled with the mechanism to wind it. It was a nervous tic he had when he was worried and the silver knob on the top of the watch was worn with time and abuse. He continued to fiddle with it as he walked down the street towards Jack's barber shop, wracking his brain on how he was going to get the money. 

He had a little discretionary cash but it amounted to less than $2000 and it was supposed to be for emergencies. That was a far cry from 50 grand. He thought of the family members he could ask to raise the money but nobody came to mind who could be of help to him. The banks would laugh him off in a second and if he went to the cops they'd probably do nothing more than roll their eyes and take a report. What the fuck were those corrupt dirtbags gonna do huh? Barnstorm a donut shop? Go shoot up a poor neighborhood again? Fuck those guys...the law was definitely not on his side. 

Blue was so lost in his thoughts that it took him several seconds to realize that someone was calling his name. When he finally looked up, a woman in her mid thirties, maybe a year younger than him was smiling at him. 

"Blue Keenan? Why I haven't seen you since fourth grade! You were the one who punched Tommy Prentiss in the nose after he pulled my skirt up, remember? Gosh it's been forever!"

Blue stared at her for a moment, his mouth agape. This couldn't be the same Grace McCarthy from the second street grade school could it? He gave her a once over, eyebrow shooting up as he acknowledges that she was dressed to the nines in some of the most expensive clothes money could buy. Her dress wasn't an off the rack model from Sears and the fur stole around her shoulders suggested she had money to spare. She must be rolling in it from the looks of it and as she chattered away idly, he began to wonder if she could be the ticket to what he needed. How much sob should he put in his story? Would she even be willing to help out or would she laugh in his face? Sure he'd defended her in grade school cause bill was the biggest perverted jackass in the whole school but surely a right cross wasn't worth 50k was it?

The man continued to look at the woman standing there in front of him and talking about the old times... Despite being in a situation of crisis, he started to feel pretty nostalgic when Grace McCarthy reminded him of how he punched the school bully in the nose. His name was Johnny Flamingo. His parents were part of the upper class with the mother being a teacher and his father a surgeon. But it all built up too much; he could not just watch him do how he pleased and had to take his frustration out during that day.

Now Blue James Keenan was not a violent man, but it felt goddamn good to punch this fucker in the face. He still remembers that day very well and cannot help but bring out a little smile.   Grace McCarthy though... she was always the same angel as back in school, too bad that they grew apart once school was over. The woman grew to be even prettier than back than; he slowly takes courage and starts speaking up. ''Grace! My goodness, it has been such a long time since I have last seen you and you are as classy as ever.   Tommy Prentiss deserved this punch and much more, and you know it. Everyone knew it, but they were too afraid to speak up out of fear to possible be expelled'' he added, as he is looked at the woman who started laughing in complete agreement.

He tried to hide his distress, but Grace had amazing people skills. Hence why the bully attempted to charm her, that combined with her good looks. He was, however, unsuccessful and instead tried to sexually harass her and force her into submission. She quickly realizes that something is wrong with the man who once saved her and who she also considered a good friend. Hopefully, this is a friendship, that can be reignited. 

She takes a step closer to him and asks ''I know you since a very long time. You are usually a little bundle of positive energy. Big smile on your face while keeping your head up, despite people talking badly about you. I have never seen you look as much to the ground as today. I know something is going on... what is happening?'' she asked. The man hid his face in his hands for a short time. He deeply inhaled and with that took up the courage to tell her about what was happening.

''Grace... as we kept in touch through letters from time to time I am sure, that you remember my family. My lovely wife Emilia and my precious boys Tom and Jerry...Someone has kidnapped them and is asking me for a 50 000 dollars in the next 24 hours. How should I ever get this money together in such a short time? I trust you completely as the person I spent by far most time when we were young. I don´t want to ask you to help me out, as it is unfair but... I don´t see another choice.''

The lady looked at him. She knew exactly that he had a good heart and was not exactly the richest person around. It is hard to climb the social ladder when your parents lack the cultural and financial capital. She sighed and then stepped once more closer to him, wrapping her arms around him. For the people around them, it looked, as if they are good friends or lovers hugging each other. In reality, she whispered ''I am sure you heard about the Lagusa Warehousing and Logistics. They urgently need an accountant as the previous one passed away just yesterday. I am sure it will take you a lot of time to make sure, that the balance is right and to add the last few bits, but I am sure that they will pay you very well for your ''last minute job.'' What do you think''? Is what she asked him. 

The man was tired as dealing with the numbers in his workplace took a toll on his mind after a few good hours. ''Grace...You are like in the past, the absolute best woman around'' he smiled before giving her one last hug, as he made his way to the workplace and heard Grace shouting, to not forget to mention her name. He should shortly arrive. 

Heading back to the office he looked nervously at his watch every few minutes, he knew he had calls to make and worried for his family.   The sweat dripped of him as he his pacing was almost a march in line with the tick's of the watch.   He needed to do something as he waited.   The phone rang, and his heart jumped, a deep gulp in his throat as he stared at the phone before picking it up. 

"Hello, hello"

he nervously uttered as he heard the laughter down the phone

"just tell me what to do. how do i know they are safe, where are they"

His mouth rushed before his brain could figure the depth of the problem before a simple reply

"The octagonal band stand, just North of Stetlers warehouse"

His palms sweated as he listened and the sound as the phone was put down.   Now he just needed the money.   He knew Don Lagusa only by reputation, a man who always seemed squeaky clean but somehow had amassed a massive stock fortune.   Apart from one night in jail at the behest of city hall the man had been untouchable.   Now he had to see him for work, dialing Mr Lagusas number he tapped nervously on the desk as the phone lay there time ticking.

Taking the tram down to Lagusa Warehousing he knew now was the more worrying part as he watched second by second tick away.   Jumping off at Lagusa warehousing, he entered a simple envelope in hand.  He looked around as every eye was on him as he walked in.   Before looking at a secretary who sized him up from behind her glasses.

"I hear you need an accountant, a friend of mine said you were hiring and in these times i thought it best to come direct"

He knew he was getting flustered as the sweat prints sat on the counter from his Palms as the secretary continued to watch.   She looked over the papers and nodded before pointing to the next office.  As he walked in he froze as Mr Lagusa sat there, eyeing him up as he compared him to a group of photos on his desk.

"You can't be too careful on who tries to get in here sometimes"  he chortled.

"I hear Grace told you to come this way, don't be nervous.   I am just making money the same way as you" he grinned maniacally

"These are my official books, these are what my books are supposed to say as a profit.   Our last bookkeeper fell down the stairs unfortunately, after some of our money disappeared.   For now i just need the IRS of my Back.   Balance the books, spread the money across shares and you won't worry about money again"

Looking at his watch he looked up nervously as he started to fill a third book with new expenses he knew would be filled as work payouts as he started scribbling on a pad, the more nervous he became the quicker he worked it seemed all the times the eyes flicking back and fore the watch.   He Pushed the new ledger forward, and listed work related injuries to hide money, repairs to the warehouses and damaged food shipments as well as theft as a reason as he looked upwards.   His legs shook behind the desk a Lagusa grinned.

"Now we have have to turn that into legitimate money"   

Pointing at the account codes and names, he smile.

"spread out across stocks and sell about an hour later.   We need this money to have legitimately come back to me, you don't pay taxes on a loss remember"   

Lagusa knew was cheaper than the shysters to get an accountant to do his work, and more trustworthy.   Throwing over a bag, he nodded before throwing the other accounts records to burn on the fire.

"Your moneys there, just make sure mine is back with the names in the book" Lagusa whispered

Blue knew things were looking brighter as he phoned around buying stocks which had plummeted and selling them as they rose, he felt natural in this world as the numbers flicked past on the ticker.   Never had he seen so much though.

Blue handed the book back the receptionist on the way out, he simply said

"I'm finished"
     
Looking at his watch, he knew was not much time left, as he wondered why he had been targeted and who would expect so much from him and what tomorrow would bring
 


 

Stuffing the bag with the cash into the inside breast pocket of his coat, Blue left Don Lagusa’s headquarters and headed back toward the tram station, hoping to catch the last ride of the evening.  He concentrated on trying to hide his emotions, but his stomach was churning inside from the events of the past 24 hours.  What had started off as an extra shift to cover for a coworker had turned into a race against time as he looked for a way to secure the necessary funds to ensure the safety of his family.

Pulling his right hand out of his pocket, he checked the time of the worn pocket watch as he did so many times during day.  But then he pulled his left hand from his other pocket and looked at the neatly folded piece of paper.  Nervously glancing around and then over his shoulder, he unfolded the paper and looked at the information he had written down just a short time ago.  Unbeknownst to Don Lagusa, Blue had recorded the bank account and routing numbers of several of the crew leaders larger private holdings.  Refolding the paper, he returned it to his pocket and continued down the busy street.

Ten minutes after arrival at the station, Blue was finally beginning to relax when the tram arrived.  Stepping aboard, he sat and looked out the window.  Just as the door was about to close, two men stepped quickly onto the tram and glared in his direction.  One of the men looked vaguely familiar and Blue was struggling to place him.  As the two man walked back, Blue found it odd that one sat in the seat in front of him, but the other continued and sat somewhere behind him.  The doors closed and the tram began to move toward it’s designated route.

Distracted as he continued to think and worry about his family, he was caught off guard when the man in front of him turned, and putting his arm up on the backrest of the seat, simply stared at him.  As Blue looked back, he physically lurched when a gruff voice came from just behind his ear that said “Don Lagusa saw you taking some notes on a piece of paper.  And he really wasn’t too happy about that.”

Before Blue could react, he was stunned when a heavy blow to the back of his head.  Then the man in front grabbed him by the hair and with one quick jerk, pulled him forward, slamming his face into the seat back, shattering his nose.  Blue’s hands reflexively came up to his bleeding nose and his vision was full of stars from the vicious attack.  The two men started going through his pockets as Blue felt the tram come to a fast stop and the attendant yelling at the men to stop.   One of the men pulled out his pocket watch and with a quick tug, broke the chain that secured it to his pants.  “Finder’s Keepers” came a nasally voice from the man in front of him.  Then the same man reached into his other pocket and pulled out the folded scrap of paper.  “Tsk, Tsk Blue…You’ve been a bad boy” continued the man.

The other man felt inside Blue’s coat and located the hidden bag of cash.  The gruff voice said “Ah, there it is.  Now Don Lagusa is going to do a huge personal favor for Grace McCarthy and let you live and keep the cash.”  The voice moved closer to Blue’s ear before continuing “But if Don Lagusa ever sees you in New York again, he’s going to castrate you and make you eat your own balls.”

By this time, the attendant was pulling the nasally voice man toward the open door, telling him to get off the tram.  Both men held up their hands to signal they didn’t want any more problems before exiting the vehicle.

In twenty four hours Blue's mundane life behind a desk and having a family had been turned upside down and he had very quickly realized that the path of dirty money could never fully be cleaned. He'd been taken in by the money and he'd been caught red handed. Bile rose in his throat as he considered his options. The only out he cold think of was a hail Mary pass, throwing himself at the mercy of Don Lagusa in the hopes that his family could still be saved. He cared more about his family than he did the cash although he'd definitely not given off that impression.

Unfortunately the men were quickly disappearing into the crowd and Blue managed to lunge off the tram just before the doors closed. He was smart enough to give them their space as he followed them on foot towards the business district. His nose throbbed and the blood crusted to his face gave passers by reason to give him odd stares but he was on a mission. He paused only when the men did, ducking behind a guy wearing a sandwich board until they reached a laundry shop and ducked inside. After a moment of hesitation, Blue blundered through the door, much to the surprise of the group of men standing in the foyer. 

"Thought I told you to get lost!" The man with the nasally voice said, drawing his gun out of his pocket. A moment later a tall burly man pushed everyone out of the way and stared down at Blue with the same calculating look he'd given him when showing him the books. 

"You got a lot of balls showing your face here. Shoulda taken the money and run." Lagusa said, his voice thick with anger. 

"M-my family, I just wanted t-to..."

"To what Blue?" A furious voice rose up from the back and the click of heels filled Blue with dread. "To fleece my uncle outta his money? I should have listened to him the first time he told me you were no good. If you really cared about me and the boys, you would have done the job like I promised you would and leave it at that but no, you got greedy." 

She paused, chin jutted out in thought as she stared at her husband. Years of infidelity and gambling had left them with little security and after finding out about his "emergency" money and his tryst with his secretary, she'd one to Don Lagusa as a family favor to test her husband's loyalty. He'd failed. He began sputtering that it was just a stupid mistake and that he could change but it fell on deaf ears. 

"I assure you, there's been NO mistake." Lagusa was behind him, the barrel of his .45 buried deep into Blue's skull. "Tell me what it was really all about."

"The money, I'm sorry it was all about the money." Blue sobbed, tears running down his face. His pants were wet from pissing himself and the last thing he saw was his wife nodding at her uncle. 

Hours later a police officer on his nightly beat stumbled over the body after chasing off a vagrant from an alleyway. He nearly retched from the smell of old piss as he pulled the filthy tarp away from the dead body. Blue's lifeless face greeted him as he stared off into the distance, a $50 bill shoved in his mouth.