A short walk from the streets was the Midtown Gallery, recently constructed to capitalise on the burgeoning art scene across the city of Detroit. The mayor had promised an investment in culture and this was to form the cornerstone of his project; a testament to the spirit of post-war America. The building's clean Ashlar-faced facade relieved with a sandstone string course was set beneath a modern hip and valley slate roof; a fitting nod to the past whilst still being in keeping with the urban landscape around it.

The entrance was marked by a large archway filled with enormous glazed double doors set open invitingly, framed with stone dressings and topped by tripartite sash windows at first floor level. Above the entrance, a minimalist fascia displayed the gallery's name in elegant lettering, illuminated softly by lamps beneath. 

Stepping inside, Midtown Gallery's suspended floors have been polished to a sheen, despite the volume of pedestrian traffic which had already traversed them in short time since opening and the many more expected to walk them in the coming years. The walls were adorned with an eclectic mix of contemporary works, showcasing the bold experimentation of local and national artists who sought to push the boundaries of form and color. From abstract expressionism to emerging pop art, the collection was intended to embody the newfound creativity and optimism in the wake of the wartime sacrifices. Exhibits were dotted across the rooms, extravagant mosaics and hand-painted pottery, each with a place and a small plaque describing its significance. 

The gallery's centerpiece, a rotating exhibition that featured the most recent works of groundbreaking artists was the reason for Ayeno's visit, oe or so he thought because to be honest, he didn't know a fucking thing about art. He'd heard that there were big bucks to be made from a big art score and given that he was still trying to fashion a reputation for himself, getting some cheddar to feed into the POND SCUM maw would probably be a good decision. 

It just so happened that he was approached by Ezio, a prominent name in a family in control of Bricktown. This was a Consigliere, someone with a lot more clout than Ayeno, a lowly Gangster, so when his help for a job was requested, it was more or less demanded. And so it was that he stood in that glass doorway, watching the art twirl, acting as lookout for security whilst the more senior members of Ezio's gang went to work dealing with whatever else might come their way. 

Almost before Ayeno knew what was happening, there was a thunderous crash followed by deafening alarms bursting to life simultaneous with flashing red sirens which intermittently lit the gallery up like a baboon's anus. "Ah shit!" He yelled as security frantically shouted over the din, trying to work out what had happened. With his licensable hands, he contemplated humbling the guards upon their arrival but when he saw Ezio, comically sprawled on the floor, legs akimbo with open shoelaces betraying what went wrong, he decided against it. This goose was cooked.

Having tumbled arse over tit, head first into the pedestal of a 400 year old African vase Ezio had sent it clattering to the floor into a hundred tiny pieces, knocking himself out cold in the process. Ayeno tutted with second-hand embarrassment. The fractured face of a lion eyeballed him forlornly as pounding footsteps began to rapidly converge on the commotion. 

"Sorry, Ezio," he thought as he dipped out of sight. Ayeno wasn't going to do time over a bungled job where the mastermind trips over his own shoes before they get the goods. Some gang. What a shambles. Did this even count as a job? He wasn't sure and he wasn't sticking around to find out. The screeching of tyres rapidly fading into the distance suggested the getaway driver had reached the same conclusion. Ezio would understand, he was sure, so he left the slumped Consigliere shamefully amongst the broken pottery and headed out of the doorway and into the Street.

Jun 13, 08:14:58    You failed to Steal from an art gallery with the Ezio Gang.

"Are you sure you wanna run this one back?" Ayeno said looking at the scar over Ezio's eye, the only loot he'd managed to get away with.

"Yes I'm fucking sure, you old bastard," Ezio hissed at him. "This," he added pointing the barrel of his gun at where the egg had been from his art gallery tumble, "could have happened to anyone. You got it?"

"Easy, easyyyyy." Ayeno said, hands up all conciliatory. "I didn't mean anything by it, I just wanted to know you had a solid plan and it wasn't so people didn't mention....well..you know." He finished lamely. 

"I had a solid plan last time," Ezio snarled. "It could have happened to fucking anyone. You just do your fucking job and keep your mouth shut. You have one job - lookout. No more questions."

Ayeno sighed. This smelled like wounded pride but who was he to question the orders of the higher ups? "Yes, boss."

Ezio gave him one final withering look and then a small nod. This not so subtle signal to take his place, and then Ezio departed into the crowd of people waiting to get inside the gallery. Should they have waited until nightfall? Would there be better security after a failed attempt previously? Had they even considered a man tripping over his own open shoelaces and smashing a 400 year old African vase a robbery attempt? Ezio certainly hadn't done any time over it, so maybe not. He sighed and took his place at the back of the queue. Time to watch for security without making it obvious. 

With the queue successfully navigated, Ayeno tried his best to look inconspicuous, which wasn't as easy as it sounded when your job was to lurk like a gorm near to the entrance and keep tabs on any security guards. Still, he felt like he was doing an adequate job when he caught Ezio out of the corner of his eye making his move. He allowed himself a small snigger as he saw the mastermind reach down and check the laces on his boots were firmly secure for the 4th time that afternoon nearly knocking the banana out of the young boy's hand who was in front of him.

"At least he won't make that mistake again," Ayeno thought with a grin. 

"Are you interested in the new exhibit, Sir?" Ayeno whirled around to find a young woman, clearly some sort of tour guide at the museum smiling at him and holding out a pamphlet. Some look out, an 8 stone woman had crept up on him without him even realising.

"Er, yes, thank you!" He said, taking one from her extended hand and noticing for the first time how pretty she was. 

"I'll be taking a group over to see the world famous Aztec Iridescent Diamond in about 15 minutes if you would like to join us?"

"Er, no, no," Ayeno said snapping out of his pretty-woman-haze and remembering why he was there. "I'm meeting someone so I'll be sure to check it out later!"

She departed with a nod and a smile and he saw Ezio staring at him furiously. He gave an apologetic shrub and Ezio shook his head and was chunnering something to himself. The mastermind was so irate with Ayeno he wasn't looking where he was going. "Ah shit." Ayeno whispered under his breath. Ezio yell echoed around the museum floor as his left boot planted firmly on the young boy's discarded banana skin, he skidded violently, arms flapping like a fingered seagull as he careered towards the nearest exhibit, clattering into the same pedestal from before with a sickening thud. Fortunately, the African vase hadn't yet been replaced and only the empty glass contained smashed across Ezio's skull knocking him unconscious as the alarms began to sound. Everyone looked over. 

Jun 20, 06:41:57    You failed to Steal from an art gallery with the Ezio Gang.

Oh boy, he was definitely not going to hear the end of this one. As he quietly headed for the exit, he wondered whether someone could get jailtime for knocking themselves out on museum apparatus. Probably a ban though, at least.