M is For Men

Chapter 2: Crucial Conflict

Violence ever defeats its own ends. Where you cannot drive you can always persuade. A gentle word, a kind look, a good-natured smile can work wonders and accomplish miracles. There is a secret pride in every human heart that revolts at tyranny. You may order and drive an individual, but you cannot make him respect you.

~William Hazlit

"A butcher huh? Is that how you're able to afford this feast? Better yet is that why you got that bloodstain on your collar son?" Charles asks pressingly

The comment stops Frank in his tracks. He stops chewing his food at the end of the table.

Frank has flashbacks of him jumping out of the car and cocking back the hammer of his gun as he crosses the street.

Blood on my collar? How could I be so careless? Frank thinks to himself but he is interrupted by his father-in-law Charles as he continues to aggressively ask questions.

"See I figured you out, son,"

Frank becomes increasingly worried. He takes a long sip from his glass and then leans in with ostensible confidence. He sets his glass down and hunches over the table where he rests his chin upon his interlaced fingers. Interestedly and calculatedly, he decides not to panic. Charles speculates further after pausing for a brief moment. He takes a sip of Wine from his dirty champaign glass and says

*Hick "What is this we drinking? P-peetris? P-Penis." Frank allows Charles to make a fool of himself just a bit longer, then he interrupts.

"Pétrus Pomerol. It's pronounced Peh Troos by the way Charles."

But Charles had his next response cocked and loaded

"And how much is this shit?"

To which Frank Replies

"Well seeing to how that's your 3rd glass, if this were a bar your tab would be about 300 bux."

*Hick "Exactly! Nice car, nice house, the piano you don't play, and expensive wine! Told yah I got him figured out" Charles stands up and announces to everyone at the dinner table. "Frank is a bootlegger!"

Some of the family gasps but others laugh. Including Charles' wife Abigail and Frank himself. But under Frank's breath, he lets out a sigh of relief.

Charles continues "What da hellis so funny? Da boy got a lot of money, he comes home all hours of the night smelling like acka hawl?"

Frank's wife Elaine stands up and begins to pick up plates from the table. She says to her mother Abigail while nudging her.

"Well mom it has been fun, but I think it's time Daddy got some rest".

Abigail stands up laughing as she grabs Charles by the arm. "Yea, that's enough Charles. Besides, we all know bootlegging ended in the '30s." She makes eye contact with her daughter.

Frank's two children laugh at the absurdity of their grandfather as he is whisked away through the doorway. Then everyone else begins to stand up in preparation to end tonight's festivities including Frank.

As he walks up the stairs, he announces to everyone his departure for bed. He makes his way through his bedroom to the bathroom. He shuts the door behind him. Frank looks in the mirror and splashes water on his face and after a moment he begins to unbutton his suit. He gets about three buttons down before he notices blood on his fingers. He unbuttons the suit even further and then removes his vest only to realize that a portion of his formerly white shirt is red and moist.