“What a dickhead.” I stated matter of factly.

“Did you expect anything else?” Billy chuckled, “The guys been trying to grab my ass for months now. It’s a bit disgusting. Some people just can’t control themselves.”

”There’s obviously something wrong with him.”

”Well, yea. That much is clear as day. Could be the drugs but,” Billy took a deep breath before lighting up his smoke, “It seems deeper than that. Borderline obsessive. There’s a litany of mental problems there.”

”That’s for sure,” I stretched my arms over my head, knuckles cracking loudly as I did, “That ego has been out of control for a while now. Add that to his sense of entitlement and the fact that he’s a walking talking piece of shit, it’s a time bomb waiting to go off.”

”You would think someone with that many issues would at least be interesting. I mean,” Billy ashed his smoke, “Just so goddamn dull. Tough to stay awake whenever he opens his mouth.”

”You could always just do what I do.”

”What’s that?”

”Point and laugh.” I smiled, “All that bullshit about how he’s the greatest to ever walk this earth. Definitely takes a mental patient to not only say it but to believe it as well.”

Billy laughed out loud as he snuffed out his cigarette with the heel of his shoe. “I’m not overly surprised. Look at the crew he hangs around with. Pumping his tires at every moment. They know what they’re doing though. If that moron is out and about trying to draw as much attention as he can, they’re all free to move in the shadows.”

”I’ll agree with you there, Bill.” I let out a soft sigh, “I wonder sometimes though. Would he be as mental as he is if he wasn’t hiding behind every single body guard he could find.”

”Could you imagine working for that guy, Frank? How fucking ridiculous must that be? If he’s been trying to get into my pants for so long, could you imagine what he does to the people that are forced to be around him? Creeps me out just thinking about it.”

”Eh,” I shrugged, “He's a predator. Demented and fucked in his own mind. That’s probably why he has to do all of this. Either didn’t get enough attention as a kid or doesn’t get enough now.”

Billy let his eyes wander for a moment, “It’s only a matter of time though, that much is clear. Generally, you don’t get to be that much of a dickhead without catching a bullet for it.”

”Well, he is protected.”

”Yea, but we all know why. Granted, he learned from one of the slimiest, scummiest people around. Birds of a feather and all of that bullshit.”

”I suppose you’re right.” I conceded, “Only a matter of time until the masses are dancing on their graves. What’s the play then?”

”Right now,” Billy smiles slyly, “I just hope he doesn’t try to mount me. God knows he’s been talking about it enough. Surprising to see someone with an ego that big having such tunnel vision. Fuck, he’s still trying to talk about me after he was told no. Granted, he doesn’t strike me as someone who takes no for an answer. He’s one of those guys that will try and pin you down and force himself on you.”

”Truly disgusting.”

”That it is. Some people just don’t understand that no means no.”

“Could you imagine how nice this place could be? Remember how calm everything was when he was on that little, uhm, vacation.”

”Oh that’s what we’re calling it now, Bill? A vacation?”

”Well, that’s how he seems to recall it. Truth be told, he probably had the time of his life behind bars. That shit is right up his alley, in more ways than one.”

”Unnecessary Bill!” I scoffed, “we already have to hear enough of that from him.”

”Hey, just calling it how it is. You know he’s a dirty disgusting mess of a human being.”

”You’re being a little too kind with the human being. Anyone who openly tries to be with someone after they said no is nothing more than an animal. A fucked up animal but an animal none the less.”

Billy recoiled slightly as a shiver ran up his spine, “Now might be the best time to get out of here, Frank. Let’s go grab a drink. That dickhead’s voice carries and I don’t need a splitting headache right now.”

Looks oddly at Smeagel Frank and wonders if he is talking to himself, to an imaginary friend, or to one of his split personalities...

Taking drugs, speaking his mind, and enjoying the love that dare not speak its name... I like the sound of this dude. Sounds like a leader of men - both in the streets and between the sheets.

Sitting across from Billy with a pitcher of beer between us, we couldn’t help but laugh. The obnoxious, shrill voice was snaking it’s way through the walls, shaking the windows slightly. 

”How does anyone keep listening to that bullshit? I mean really, do they actually believe the stupidity that comes out of their mouths?”

”Honestly,” Billy took a sip from his glass, “I wouldn’t be surprised if they did. Unfortunately, all it takes is one and the rest jump on the wagon. It’s not like there has ever been an original thought in any of their heads.”

I let out a deep sigh, rubbing at the bridge of my nose with two fingers, “I doubt they would even know what to do with an original thought, though. They’d be just as lost as they are now. Blindly following an idiot. That shows about all you need to know from them.”

”Scum will always be scum, no matter how they try to dress it up. Let ‘em lie and try their best to twist facts. That’s the only thing they actually have. Hanging their hats on being as vile as they can.”

”That seems about all they’re good for.” I chuckled lightly, “A joke will always be a joke, even if they think they’re in on it. They fail to see that people are laughing at them, not with them.”

Billy leaned back, resting his hands behind his head, “It’ll only be a matter of time. I doubt that they’re smart enough to realize the way they annoy the masses constantly. It’s old hat by now, the same thing over and over again. Yada yada “I’m the greatest” yada yada. They’re clearly over compensating for something. My guess is a lack of anyone, anywhere caring about them in the slightest.”

”It must be a lonely life. The only way anyone dealing with them is through arguments. And to think, they actually believe that they’re loved. That’s the biggest joke of all. The ego. It’s amazing they can even fit through doorways at this point with the way their heads have swelled.”

”Careful, Frank,” Billy smiled, “there’s a solid chance the dickhead will try to assault you too. God knows he tried his hardest to do it to me. The mental issues really pop up when it’s told no. Must have been told that constantly when he was a younger idiot. Something must have snapped. The way it needs attention, has to be the center of attention, it’s a symptom of a larger problem. A problem that a trained professional would have to spend years upon years working through. Could probably write up an entire dissertation on how fucked in the head it is.”

As Zip was walking past the cafe table set on the sidewalks in front of the local bar he stopped as he recognized the man sitting there.

He heard him talk with someone, he was unsure who, probably not with the guy who was standing next to the table with a red face and trying to interject irrelevant and demeaning sentences in the man's musing.

As Zip listened it all made sense, he nodded at the man and asked if he may be seated with him and buy him a drink

Ahh yes, i know the person you speak off. My father and some of the men in our family line before him also had the dealings with him. More often than not these were not requested let alone desired, yet this man indeed is dragging people into his public rantings as he sees fit. He then proceeds to sent personal telegrams, and they do not desist in coming unless one moves to a new address without leaving a forwarding address.

The response of 'leave me alone', 'no i do not wish to engage in conversations with you' are found on deaf ears. Which is ironic, since this man is asking us often to lend our ears and our opinions to topics he wishes to discuss at length and repetition on many street corners.

I do hope that more people like ourselves find peace going forward but i fear it shall not happen.

To be fair, Zipline, Mr. Castle's lineage was so eager to increase the frequency of their exchanges with Anton that they engaged in what is commonly referred to as 'duping' specifically to seek him out for further conversation. Mixed messages. A bit of a "I wish I knew how to quit you" situation. 

Cromwell, sir our forefathers have exchanged many messages, and I have learned you to be an honorable man who has proper sources. Thus I will fully accept and believe your claim. Yet in my previous dialogue I only spoke of first hand experience and that of my forefathers who have incurred a lot of undesired telegrams and addresses publicly. Yes one of my ancestors really went out of his way to fight for his honor and lost. That however has been given a place in my family and thus is no longer more than a distant memory.

Now I still was being addressed for complex discussions and intricate topics when i was only but a very young adult, not even sure if mr Elodin was more man, rodent or feline. One can imagine at such points of life, being called out in public addresses that this leads to anxiety and stress. Perhaps if discussions wanted by this public speaker, it should be on the basis of free will and not because they are pushed on a soap box without the need, the will or the capacity to give grand speeches backed with the knowledge of making strong arguments on a topic they hardly know anything about. 

I can't speak to your experiences, Zipline. What I can confirm though is that Mr Castle (and at this point, probably 3 or 4 other Gangsters walking our streets sharing his DNA too) is engaged in a very, very odd pattern of behaviour with Anton. He tries to paint himself out as a victim, desperate to be left to glide on the ice of Chicago Stadium in peace, when he is actually the instigator the majority of the time. He begs Anton, Rubberlips anyone who will listen, really, to leave him alone, asking what he needs to do to make that happen...then vomits out this tripe to bring the whole thing full circle. It is an unhealthy obsession he has. This "look at me, Anton", bullshit.  

The sad reality to all this is when I heard Frank speaking, I wasn't thinking of Anton. It reminded me of when I asked Deadset (another of Frank's predecessors (possibly one of the ones spawned solely to praise his own writing ability (because nobody else does))) to stop shouting my name all over the place. He had been ceaselessly tagging me you see, long after his inept retorts and lack of self-awareness stopped being amusing too. Now, you would imagine that the honourable, victimised persona that Frankie tries hard to cultivate would have relished this opportunity for me to voluntarily leave him alone, right? Wrong. He followed me from corner to corner, discussion to discussion, desperate for me to engage with him in any way whatsoever. Even though I didn't want to...even though I had asked him not to....sound familiar?  

“Can you believe this bullshit, Bill? You think they’re actually stupid enough to believe the trash that comes out of their own mouths or they’re just doing it for the attention?” I couldn’t help but laugh. 

Billy took a big sip of his beer, finishing it off before refilling it from the pitcher, ”Simple minded and single minded, Frank. I suppose if they repeat the same lies to themselves over and over again, they start to believe it as fact.”

”Truth of the matter is, they don’t actually have any idea. They’re stuck in their own little bubble, thinking they’re important.”

”Bit pathetic don’t ya think? Scum begets scum I suppose. It’s a fitting title. A joke will always be a joke.”

”I honestly don’t think they’re bright enough to know the difference.” 

”It’s almost like they think what they say matters. Like anyone actually wants to hear it. And yet there they are again, thinking they won’t end up like everyone else eventually.”

”It’s a lonely existence. I wonder if they ever throw their shoulders out patting themselves on the back.”

”I was at least hoping for something a little original. Not sure if their capable of that. Same thing over and over.”

“Can you believe this bullshit, Bill? You think they’re actually stupid enough to believe the trash that comes out of their own mouths or they’re just doing it for the attention?”

But it’s not bullshit Frank. Everything Grin-08 said can be backed up with public record. You’ve been challenged to do the same and cannot. As to repeating the same thing until one believe it to be true themself, that’s you. I’m sure you’ve convinced yourself you are the noble one in this scenario you put yourself into, understandable however counterproductive to personal growth, but each passing generation sinks to new lows, the accusations become more personal, dark and vile, and then you cry foul when you are called to task. It’s been a fascinating character study.  In fact, it’s the topic of my thesis at the prestigious mafia college I’m currently attending, Corsica University in Dumdumville.  

No most definitely means no.

Unless it's Rowley.  he makes my wee hole go fizzy

I leaned against the old worn brick of the building as I looked out through the window onto the streets outside. There were a few mulling about here and there, going about their days as best they could. For the most part, things were quiet and peaceful except for the stumpy old man going on about something or another. 

I let out a sigh as I took a pull from my ale, “Ya think he actually believes that stuff, Bill or is he trying his best to put on a show?”

”If it’s all a show, it isn’t a very good one at that.” I heard Billy’s chair creek lightly as he leaned back, cupping his hands behind his head, “That’s just the way of some folks. Especially ones like that. The ones that think they’re special or the world owes them a favor.”

”Where’s it go from here?”

”Truthfully, I don’t know.” Billy placed his whiskey glass down a little harder than he had too, “Ideally, somewhere far away. We could find randoms out on the streets that would be better suited at it than whatever he thinks makes him special.“

”Oh, Christ,” I scoffed, “I think it’s getting louder. Like nails on a chalkboard. Gives me a fucking headache is what it does.”

”Me too, Frank, me too. He prides himself as being one of those untouchables. Ever since The Loop was taken over after that cluster fuck, it’s only a matter of time until those are all cleaned up and then, who knows.”

”Making a move would make sense but in reality, who’s going too? Half the people out there are afraid of their own shadow and the other half don’t seem to care. They’re content in their little bubble as long as it doesn’t pop.”

I finally took my eyes off the street, pulling my chair out once more. Billy feigned a smile as he pushed the opened bottle of whiskey across the table in my direction, “I highly doubt we’re the only ones growing weary of the charade. There’s an end game here, there always has been. Let him make himself feel better with all the mindless tapping. A solid reason for the state of things is the not so subtle pointless mind games he enjoys.”

”He reminds me of someone else that loved hearing their own voice more than anything. I wonder if they came from the same place.”

”I honestly don’t see much difference between the two. What’s worse? The dog that bites or the owner that takes the muzzle off?”

"The day no means no doesnt matter when the sun had exploded and were all is dead in just over 8 minutes"

"Until then no means no and those who dont get it can wait to our wonderul star the sun finish itself off and then its over and no one anytime have to bother about no"

"Even if the sun have some spots its crusial to obey it til its gone so all know it"

“Is it still dragging on out there?” Billy asked from his seat at the table a few feet away.

”Like nails on a goddamn chalkboard.” I scoffed, the shrill voice seemingly echoing off of the restaurant and shop windows outside. 

Billy laughed, a deep belly laugh, “You’d think by now it would have realized no one really seems to care what he has to say. All the double talk, all the deflecting. It knows the type of savage monster that it is and yet...” Billy paused for a moment, refilling his glass from the pitcher sitting in front of himself, “On and on it goes. I guess he’s trying to justify himself.”

”Does it honestly think it’s needed around here? I mean facts aren’t exactly its strong suit.” I moved to the seat across from Bill, refilling my own glass before taking a seat, “Cowardly is probably the best term for it.”

”It’s all self preservation to him. Fuck it’s people, fuck those that remained loyal even though the writing has always been on the wall. It never gave a fuck about anything or anyone other than saving it’s own skin.”

”Can’t day I’m surprised. It’s not the first time it has tossed its own under the bus.”

Billy took a long sip of his ale, “Unfortunately, it won’t be the last either. I remember the times, as I’m sure you do as well, when those in power actively protected their own. They didn’t just toss them aside for cannon fodder like now.”

”You think we’ll actually hear any truth about it, Bill?”

Billy laughed out loud again, “That’s a bit of wishful thinking there Frank. Besides, would you believe it anyways? No one else seems too. The same thing will happen again and again.”