Raven’s Flight into Crime

Raven and the other young potential mobsters convene quietly on the docks of the Detroit River.  She balances on her satchel as she waits at the waterfront for something to happen.  There is an air of quiet excitement and her heart pounds as she nervously lingers in the shadows.

Rum runners are aplenty on the eastside in this time of Michigan prohibition.  Raven wants desperately to belong somewhere.  She gave up a lot in another city far away to make a life here, and she knows with hard work she will eventually be noticed by someone.

Down the street in the Tabernacle, Billy Sunday is preaching the evils of the demon rum.  School age children in their freshly pressed clothes and highly shined shoes listen, along with their stiff lipped fathers and prune faced mothers.

Collection plates are passed around to gather up money for a nationwide campaign against legal alcohol consumption.  It is the perfect opportunity for someone with a little ingenuity to make some quick cash.

Raven beats the pavement, dragging all her worldly possessions with her, including her mother’s diary and surprisingly, a fair amount of cash that was left to her.  She reaches for it periodically, just to make sure it hasn’t slipped down any, as it is taped carefully around her waist and cinched tightly with an old fashioned corset.  Somebody would pay hell to get it off of her, but that doesn’t mean they wouldn’t try.

Tucked up into her garter is a small pistol, and she carries a knife inside her dress pocket.  She isn’t taking any chances.

Raven has dreams of growing rich and powerful, shaking down brothels and gambling houses for protection and muscling into the bootlegging rackets.  At the moment though, she is just a waif of a girl who needs a solid family to work for, and depend on.  Just when she is ready to give up, she sees a young, nice looking fellow coming toward her.  She can’t decide if he is friendly or not, and she glances downward suddenly.

“Hey you, girl!  What are you doing out here by yourself.”  Raven looks around cautiously to see if he is talking to her or not.

“Yes, you.  You shouldn’t be out here by yourself.  Scram.”  Raven is almost in tears at the gruff sound of his voice, but she doesn’t show it.

She pulls herself together.  “It’s now or never, Raven,” she whispers to herself. With a shot of courage that she doesn’t really feel, she says with all the nerve she can find; “I’m out here alone, and I need a job.  Isn’t there something I can do?”  She waits as he looks her up and down.

Tilting her head and focusing on his intense gaze, she can barely breathe while waiting for a response.  All of a sudden he breaks out in a horrendous laugh.  “What in all hell can a little wisp of a thing like you do for me?”

Raven is highly insulted at this new turn of events, but she knows she must play this out with care if she is ever to be taken seriously.  Feeling pushed into a corner, she jumps up and stands as tall as she can.  Running at the man, she takes out her knife, and points it at his throat before he can react.

“I may be small, but I am quick,” she says triumphantly.  But she knows she can’t hold him down for long because he is very strong.

“Ok, ok.  I see you have some potential, but you are going to have to control that temper if you are going with me,” he says with just a hint of wit. Then he turns around and walks away, and with no hesitation Raven follows him down the streets of Detroit, just as the sun is setting across the city.

Martyr walks up and smiles at Raven.

You know we all start somewhere. I'm quite glad to be able to hear your start.

She can't help but snicker at the women as she stands only a bit taller then herself and she quietly whispers to Raven.

Remember some of the best things come in small packages. She winks as she wanders back down the streets.

Did someone be sayin' rum?

LoveGun sniffed the air as the sun dipped below the horizon, filling the sky with darkness. She had a long way home still, a flight out of Detroit and back to New York, but before leaving the docks she noticed a small woman tag along after one of the bootleggers. After not seeing any rum, LoveGun stepped into the path of the woman for a quick moment.

Hey ya' there.

She called to the woman and when they ran into each others paths, LoveGun paused for a moment before stepping away.

Don' ya be lettin' those men tell ya 'bout ya attitude. It's th' best weapon ya be havin' sometimes.

LoveGun winked at the woman and stepped out of the way. She continued her walk down the pier and to the street to catch a taxi to the airport.

Mikey just gestures for Raven to walk closer to him.  It wouldn't do to have someone come in and try to steal you. He shows her to a slightly run-down loft. He reaches into his coat to find a set of keys.  The door sticks a bit, causing him to have to shoulder it open.  You can stay here, It's one of our places.  Been empty since the last owner got himself arrested.  So I will tell you what I told him.  Maybe you will listen when I say no business in the building. Don't go snatching purses on this block and getting the police involved.  And if they do come sniffing around, as they usually do, make yourself scarce. If they do pinch you, keep shut and we'll be around to get you.  We have guys whose only job is breaking people out.

Mikey pulled up a chair in the rather dusty apartment, turning it backward he straddled it, resting his arms on the back of the chair.

My name is Mikey, you report to me, Ieystn will be keeping an eye on you. You make some money, you pay your dues, and maybe, if you are lucky, you live long enough to get your button.  You run into trouble you run to me.  If I'm not in, you look for Trevor. Under no circumstances are you to take matters into your own hands.  You fire a shot without our say so, and you may as well just shoot yourself. 

Mikey smiled and rose, replacing the chair at the table and placing the keys on a hook near the door.He got up and saw himself out.  You are a friend of mine now, you have a problem, you don't let that temper get the better of you, you come to me. Remember, you are my associate, I gotta answer to the boss for you. He handed her a paper with a couple of numbers on it.  The first one is the house line at HQ, everyone uses it.  The second is my private phone at home. If I'm not at HQ I'll be at home, call if you have any problems.  If you can't call run to one of our places, tell them you work for me.

He holds her gaze a moment before settling his hat back on his head.  I'll check on you in about a week, if you are doing good, we'll have a drink and a talk.  Don't make me regret helping you. One word of warning Raven, though I know you probably don't need it, since you are a smart kid. Everyone gets some leeway, but you step too far out of line and I will put you down. Mind your manners and don't talk business with outsiders.  And outsiders include associates of other families.  What this family does stays within the family.  If that's too hard for you than I would buy a ticket for whereverthefuck you came from and go back there.

Mikey walked out closing the door behind him.  As he walked away whistling, he smiled the boss had sent the kid his way, and now he was glad Ieystn had, without guidence that girl was going to end up the victim of some of Detroit's worst. If she could keep that temper in check, she would go far.  Mikey reached into his pocket for his keys and noticed that some of his money was missing.  He smiled.  Raven was good, he had to give her that.  He was a pretty good theif and he had never seen or felt her roll him.  And, he had to admit, she had balls.

He would be watching her, for now, he had to go talk to the boss.

Raven struggles to keep up with Mikey as he nearly runs ahead of her on the street.  She feels new life flowing through her veins as she almost skips along side of the young mobster.

She stifles a giggle when a couple of young ladies address her.  Evening Miss, she says to the first beautiful, young one, who is even tinier than she is.  Raven is smart enough to know that size has nothing to to with strength and brains, or even bravery for that matter.  She notices right away that this is a lady who is going far in this life.

The second woman takes her breath away.  She is a confident and gorgeous female, with an air of importance about her, and Raven takes her words to heart.  Nodding as she listens to the words of wisdom. She knows this girl is right.  Raven will never lose a sense of herself, her attitude is what makes her who she is, and who she will become.  She also knows when to use her temper to her advantage, and when to keep it under wraps.

Still hot on Mikey's heels, she follows him into the dilapidated apartment.  Her eyes are wide open in wonder as he tells her the way things are going to be for awhile.  She smiles somewhat shyly as he continues giving her orders.  It is so nice to have a sense of belonging, and someone to report to as well. 

As soon as Mikey is finished and ready to leave, she follows him to the door under the guise of politeness.  Not that Raven isn't polite, she can use the manners of a debutante when need be and necessary.  But Raven has another idea just now and she carefully lifts his wallet while he is distracted.

"Yes, of course, boss.  I understand.  I know how to keep my mouth shut, and I will work hard.  I do thank you for giving me this opportunity to prove myself.  I will come to you with any problems I might run into for certain.  You can count on me!" She says as she is mentally counting the cash that might be stuffed inside his fat wallet.  Just as carefully she slips it back after relieving him of about half of it. 

As Mikey leaves the room, Raven begins to put the place in order.  When she is satisfied with it's cleanliness and general order, she takes a quick shower.  Dressing in her only other set of clothing, she puts herself back together and then counts the cash that Mikey so kindly provided. 

Snickering slightly, she says to herself, "This may get me a fancy new dress, and maybe a pair of new shoes as well. Perhaps something to match these."  She mindlessly touches the sapphire earrings that have been handed down for many generations. The earrings have become a family trade mark and they comfort her, especially now as she embarks on this new journey.