Holding my hat in my hands, I waited for the man who had called me
to come pick me up at the airport, it was only fair of him to do so. He
pulled up in a Buick, a nice black color, freshly washed, so the sun
glimmered off its hood. I smiled, happy to see Paul Vidi behind the
wheel.

"Paul, it's good to see you," I said, my wide grin showing.

"Put your stuff in the back seat, and it's good to see you Harry," he replied.

I opened the back door, putting my single suitcase on the floor of
the back seat, not wanting to put it on the blanket that was spread out
on the back seat. I closed the door and got into the passenger's seat
and Paul pulled away from the curb.

"Mind if I smoke Paul?"

"Not at all, just roll down your window."

I rolled down the window and pulled my pack out of my jacket pocket
and pulled out a cigarette. I placed it in the corner of my mouth and
returned the pack. Paul was out with a lighter and he lit my cigarette.
After taking a few puffs, I glanced over at him.

"This isn't some kind of vacation is it?" I asked, knowing what the answer was going to be.

Paul smiled, "No, I know you know what I want you to do. Open the glove box."

I opened the box and an ice pick was sitting there, glistening at me. Paul nodded and I picked it up and examined it.

"Your kind of style?"

"You know me too well Paul," I said with a smile, "So where is the bum?"

We came to a stop in front of a motel.

"Alright, room 5b, second floor, third from the left side, be quick, you have five minutes."

I got out of the car, the ice pick hidden up my sleeve, my hand
ready to flick it forward and use it. I walked up the stairs and
knocked on the door. A man in his bathroom opened the door.

"What do you want?" he asked, his mouth full of food.

"It's not polite to eat with your mouth full you know?" I said as I
jammed the pick into his stomach, using my hand to cup his mouth from
screaming.

In second I had killed him, like everyone else, it was a job. I did
what was required of me, and that was what I did. I walked out of the
room, shutting the door. I walked down the stairs and got back in the
car. Paul pulled from the curb and I threw my cigarette out the window.

"Can I ask Paul?"
"It is of no concern."

I fell silent, knowing better.

"One more job, then you can suntan on the beach, then you'll need to
fly back to Saint Louis, I know you still have business to do."

I smiled. We pulled up to a little diner, Paul parked the car behind
the business. He got out and motioned me to do so. He moved the
blanket, revealing a sawed shotgun and a snub nosed revolver. Paul
picked up the revolver and threw me the shotgun. He pointed at a metal
door in the back of the diner, the one which could only be opened from
the inside.

"He stays alive till I tell you, understand?"

I nodded. I waited by the door, shotgun raised and ready to bash
whom ever came out. I waited, standing still, waiting for Paul. Minutes
went by, then an hour, then two. I was wondering what Paul was doing. I
checked my watch, it was already ten, I was tired. Then I understood
what was going on, I heard the footsteps, the owner, a flattish man,
who was dressed as the cook came running out. I slammed the shotgun
into his gut and he hit the ground hard, Paul following.

"Alright Mickey, see him?" Paul said as he pointed toward me, "He's
going to kill you if you don't tell me what I want to know, okay?"

"Yah...sure Paul...anything..." Mickey said, he was out of breath,
his hands raised in the air like we were cops going to cuff him.

"Alright, who was the person who ratted us out on the Philly job?"

Mickey told him and Paul nodded to me.

"Wait!" Mickey cried, "I told you what you wanted to know!"

I pulled the trigger, Mickey wasn't recognizable anymore. His face
gone. We got back into the car and Paul drove to a motel, a couple
miles away. We got out and he checked me into a room.

"A taxi will be here at nine tomorrow, take it to the airport, a
ticket will be waiting, we'll grab drinks back in Philly sooner or
later. Thanks for your help Harry."

We shook hands and he left me standing there with my suitcase. I
went into my room and slept, I awoke as Paul said to, and I flew back
to Saint Louis, I had other things to do, things still unsettled, but I
knew Paul would call me to do another job, but that's a different story.

Paul picked up the phone and dialed his old pal Harry.Harry? Its me Paul...... just checking on you how was the flight home?......
A smile came to his face.

Say Harry I got a lil thank you I want to send you whats your address down
in St. Louis? ............  Got it.. Should be there by tonight can you be at the
St. Louis airport around 8p.m.? ...... You betcha be sure to be looking sharp.
Alright Harry enjoy and be good but not too good.

As I hang up the phone I turn to the two dames standing in my office.

Go down to St. Louis and take care of Harry don't come back here neither
stay down there in St. Louis and be sure to help the festivities get started down
there. Now go!

Tosses a couple plane tickets at the dames and goes and lights his cigar.