(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wrc19LSuCP0)

11:00 PM Jim's Hardware store, Detroit

It was another night in the motor city, the drunks were busy drinking away in bars, The hoodlums were out and about, the women of the night were busy looking for johns, as one day ended another began for Detroit's underworld.

Slowly and carefully Slade walks through the alley and reaches the backdoor of the shop he manages to open the door and enters the store. He takes out his trusty crowbar and attempts to crack open the register. It's been only 3 days since he was released and already he's back in action after serving 10 years in prison. He was a man that always planned carefully that's how he's managed to survive 35 years of his life on the day that he was busted he was following all the right steps, he brought the stuff, came with protection if things got ugly, and found a good buyer. He was busted because the buyer was an undercover agent.

During the war Slade ran a drug empire, stuffing drugs in the bodies of fallen soldiers no one would check there, the perfect hiding spot. Word got around he built a name for himself eventually the feds got wind of it and took him down. Now he has to start over from the bottom.

Slade manages to crack open the register and starts counting up the money $1500 just an average night for him as he puts his loot in the bag he feels a the barrel of a shotgun against his face.

"What are you doing here?"

Hearing a noise Abe slowly grabs the shotgun he keeps next to the door. Slowly working his way around the shelves of the old store he see's a glimpse a shadowy figure cross his path. Sticking to the shadows he slowly raises his shotgun and yells out "What are you doing here?" "This is private property if you move to quick I will blow your head off like a match stick"! Abe quickly calls out to The_Laughing_Man. "Look what we have here a thief caught in the night. What shall we do with him?"

CREEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAKKKKKKKKKK

A strange noise comes from the other side of the room, as TLM leans back in his chair. 

"What shall we do with him?" Abe_Bernestein looks to TLM, as he holds a shotgun with its sights set on this stranger.

"What shall we do indeed... Stealing from a local business, Jim's very own hardware store. How... disappointing." The chair snacks upright, as TLM jolts up to a standing position. Making his way to a nearby light switch, he pauses.

"So who is this mystery man taking the hard earned money from our dear friend, eh?" TLM flips the switch. Nothing happens.

"Well... that's anti-climatic..." TLM looks closer and notices there are tons of light switches. It's a display shelf, in a hardware store. No shit.

"Oh, c'mon... Okay, just tell us who you are, and why you are stealing from a store under the protection of The Partnership, and maybe. JUST MAYBE, we will let you leave with your life."

Slade raises his hands up and smiles

"Just another day at the office, you know 9 to 5 Monday to friday."

He slowly reaches for for his colt 1911 in his pocket.

"Who are you fine gentlemen?"

TLM points at the man.

"Now now, hands where we can see 'em. No need to start nothin'," TLM says, smiling. "I'm a man who enjoys a good joke, but most call me TLM. Prenounced Tee-El-Em. I'm with the Partnership."

TLM bows his head in respect, eventually finding the right light switch that brightens the room. "Ahh... there we go. Now, I can understand the need to get money, I really do. Times are hard, but taking from this specific business... well, that's not the right thing to do. You see..."

TLM slowly makes his way towards him. "Jim is a fine man. He's a family man. He is someone worth knowing, one of the good ones. He spent his entire life savings on this hardware store and it's all he really has. It's what keeps his family off the streets. He's not the typical business man, oh no no... He works with his hands. Hell, I can say he's one of the more respectable people we work with."

The lights overhead flicker, definitely requiring maintenance. "How about this. You did good getting in here, and I can tell by your looks that you know what you're doing. Instead of this specific location, I'm sure there are plenty of other locations that would give a heftier pull. Places that aren't under our protection. Lets say... one of these places were to get hit, it wouldn't reflect poorly on the Partnership and you can get the money you came for."

TLM is now within a few feet of Slade. "If that sounds good, I'd say... just put back what you stole and we'll all have a drink." TLM smiles widely.

"Thoughts?"

Slade stops reaching for his weapon and returns the money.

"My names Slade, Slade Wilson. I mean no trouble times are tough you know so how about that drink?"

He slowly extends a hand to the TLM for a handshake

TLM smiles widely and coughs up a laugh. He graciously accepts Slade's handshake.

"Wonderful! It's a pleasure to meet you Slade. Come, come. There's a bar 'round the corner that a friend of mine owns."

TLM gestures to Abe to tag along, and the trio leave the Hardware shop.

((I hope!))



------------MEANWHILE----------

The three make their way to a small dive bar called 'Joeys'. It's late, but this place is open at all hours of the day. The bartender greets them with a hearty hello, and sits the three in a small booth near the back. He brings them a few bottles of various types. Whiskey, Tequila, Vodka, etc.

"If you need anything else, just holler at me." The bartender, Joey, says to the three before walking back to his spot behind the bar counter.

After a moment, and a half finished drink, TLM looks to Slade. "So Slade. I assume you run with one of the other Detroit Outfits?"
 

Enjoying his whiskey Slade answers TLM

"Not really running with anybody at the moment, myself I guess I just served a 10 year bid in prison"

Abe looks at TLM and motions for him to come closer " I have seen this guy around town for several days. It's not just happenstance he is here" We need more answers, keep him drinking maybe he will tell us more." Abe orders another round while glaring at Slade trying to figure him out. Abe lights a cigarillo and offers one to Slade asking, "Say haven't I seen you around town lately?" While reaching over the table lighting Slade's cigarillo he notices a glint of metal he motions to TLM again by nodding.

TLM watches the exchange between the two and nods slowly to Abe, whispering into his ear. "Good idea Abe, lets see what we can find out."

TLM leans back into the soft leather booth, "So, 10 years. That's a long time to be out of the game. What got put away in the first place?"

Slade stops smiling and gets serious

"Well back during the War, I did some things. The kind of things that aren't really legal."

He lights a cigarette

"Lets just say the dead had their uses. I stuffed drugs in them and smuggled them into the states I had quite a reputation back then and some enemies. Someone ratted me out."