Prometheus sat in his leather chair, flipping through a magazine as he waited for another client to enter into his office looking for a loan. Lately it seemed like everyone in Chicago was looking for money, and Prometheus offered it to those willing to accept his agreement. A knock on his office door roused him from his reading and he sat up in his chair.

“Who is it?”

Prometheus asked, reaching for the sawed off shotgun underneath his desk, just in case.

“It’s Kronos, I got a message for you from some civilian”

Ah Kronos, my trusted bodyguard. Such a benefit of having him helping with this business. Prometheus thought to himself as he let go of the shotgun and cupped the back of his head with his neck.

“Enter!”

Kronos opened the door and walked into the room, having to duck his head slightly to enter into the doorway. His large, muscular frame moved silently across the room as he chuckled slightly and handed a folded up piece of paper to Prometheus. Prometheus took the paper and opened it up, reading the contents of the note to himself.

To Prometheus: With all due respect I must unfortunately tell you that I am unable to make the payment that I owe you. It has been a slow week down here at the butcher shop and I just don’t have the money to pay you. I’m sure a man of your stature understands. – Viktor.

Prometheus felt a slow anger rising inside of him as he re-read the note to himself and then read it aloud for Kronos to hear.

“Viktor Antonov… That Russian son of a bitch!”

Prometheus slammed his fist down on his table and stood up. Grinning at Kronos, he walked over to a metal cabinet against the wall and opened one of the doors, reached inside and withdrew a baseball bat. He tossed it over to Kronos and then reached into his suit pocket and pulled out his pair of bronze knuckles.

“Kronos, go get the car ready. I’ll be down in a second.”

Kronos left the room as Prometheus slipped on his bronze knuckles and adjusted himself in front of the mirror. Straightening his tie and adjusting his suit, he ran his hand over his buzz-cut hair and then turned and left the office. Making his way outside he saw Kronos waiting in the car with another thug who went by the name of Ares. Prometheus hopped into the back seat of the car and glanced out the window as the car pulled away.

As the car made its way across Chicago the sun began to set. It was nearly dark when they arrived at their location; “Viktor’s Meats and Goods”. Kronos and Ares exited the car with their baseball bats and Ares opened the car door for Prometheus. Stepping out of the car, Prometheus quickly glanced around and ensured there was nobody watching as the men made their way to the entrance. Flipping the “Open” sign to “Closed” as they entered, they saw no one in the shop. Slowly walking past the shelves and counter, they heard noises coming from the back room. Kronos and Ares walked ahead and through a blood splattered tarp as Prometheus followed, rubbing his hand over his bronze knuckles.

As the men passed into the meat room in the back they saw Viktor working away at a chunk of meat, chopping it up with a butcher knife. Grunting from the work, he did not hear the men approach or see Kronos and Ares move to the sides of him, their bats ready to swing.

“Hello Viktor.”

Prometheus coolly spoke, clasping his hands in front of him. Viktor spun around and his eyes widened at the sight of Prometheus.

“P-Prometheus what are you doing here? D-D-Didn’t you get my note?”

Viktor asked, visibly shaking at the sight of the mobster in front of him. His attention was so fixed onto Prometheus that he did not even notice Kronos or Ares standing a few feet away from his sides.

“Yeah, I got your note. But what I couldn’t help and notice was, when we made our deal you said you would pay me my money back today. I didn’t agree to any extensions. So now you get to see what happens when you miss a payment.”

With that Prometheus clicked his tongue against the roof of his mouth and Kronos swung the baseball bat hard into the ribs of Viktor. Connecting with a cracking noise, Viktor immediately collapsed to the ground wheezing and coughing from the hit. Ares and Kronos then proceeded to beat Viktor over and over again with the baseball bats. Cracks rang out from Viktor’s body as he groaned and screamed in pain from the hits. Prometheus watched with a straight face and then stepped towards Viktor, motioning with his hand to Kronos and Ares. The men picked up Viktor by his arms and stood him up; they had to support most of his weight for him due to a broken kneecap. Prometheus grabbed Viktor’s collar and drew back his hand and punched Viktor in the mouth. Pulling back again, he punched Viktor four more times without saying a word. After the fifth punch, Prometheus grabbed Viktor’s jaw and forced him to stare at him.

“I WANT MY MONEY!”

Prometheus yelled at Viktor and punched him once more. Viktor collapsed to the ground and laid at Kronos’ feet as Prometheus stood upright and straightened out his suit.

“Break his other knee.”
 

Prometheus said as he turned and walked out of the room. Stopping at the doorway, Prometheus looked over his shoulder at the Russian man.

“You have 24 hours to bring me my money.”

With that, Prometheus walked back to the front of the shop as a large crack echoed from the back room, followed by more screaming from Viktor. Kronos and Ares walked out from the room and all of the men climbed back into the car and drove off, headed for Prometheus’ office.

The next day

Prometheus sat at his leather chair and looked over a photo album from his childhood. A knock came from the door and Prometheus looked up, placing a hand on his shotgun.

“Yes?”

“It’s Kronos, got a package here for you from Viktor”

Kronos entered the room and placed a package onto the desk of Prometheus and stepped back. Reaching forward, Prometheus untied the package and opened it. Inside there was a stack of money and Prometheus pulled it out, quickly counting the amount in his head.

“Well what do you know, it’s all here.”

Prometheus said to Kronos with a wink and placed the money back into the package and handed it over to Kronos.

“Take care of that will you? I’m going out for lunch.”
 

Prometheus gathered his suit jacket and put it on himself as he stepped out into the sunlight and made his way down to his favorite Italian restaurant for a late lunch, smiling and whistling to himself as he knew what power he now had.

I see you have chosen to Ti-tan the grip on your loan sharking business... 

I'll be sure to spread the word you are good for business, and serious about your operations, my friend.

Thank you my friend, your support is appreciated!

I will spread the word myself Sir. Hope Business is booming soon for you.