Wrestling the Kraken

Vito

Vito

At home, Vito sat in his living room chair. He leaned to one side, his elbow on the cushioned arm, touching his chin. He was alone. The house was quiet, but the noise of children's laughter and cars passing by found its way in.

He sat there, thinking, knowing, listening. Those children playing outside were the future of this city and he knew many of them too. He saw their mothers walking them down the street to the park when they were in strollers, saw them at the restaurant ordering from the kids menu, saw them when they rang his doorbell asking for their ball that landed in his backyard.

The shrieks of laughter continued. He allowed them to fill his mind, taking over as much space as they needed. The doorbell rang. Hoping it was one of the kids asking for their ball, he thought he might actually join them in a game or two. He opened the door and sneered. Tony stood on his doorstep.

"You don't look too happy to see me." He said.

"I was hoping to see someone younger." Vito turned his back and made his way to the kitchen.

"You sayin' I ain't young, you old man?" Tony teased.

"If that's what young looks like, I'd hate to see you when you're old." Vito called back. Tony followed him into the kitchen.

"Just look in the mirror."

"You hungry?" Vito asked, opening a drawer.

Tony grabbed his belly. "You and food. You know you're responsible for this figure."

"Hey, I cook the food. You're responsible for it coming out the other end."

"Then quit making delicious food. My body just wants to hold onto it." Tony rubbed his belly.

"You want a sandwich or what?" Vito asked, but he was already pulling out the ingredients from his fridge, setting them beside two plates.

"Yeah, sure."

Vito opened a can of mayo, dipping a butter knife into it. "So, what do we know?"

Tony took a seat. "The Delgado gang is still all over the place. With Leo in prison over those robberies, they are running through head honchos like it's thanksgiving dinner. One challenge after another. This guy named Alfonzo has the spot now for a whole week."

Vito raised an eyebrow, impressed that this Alfonzo could last that long. It takes more than merely surviving though, so he'll soon find out if this Alfonzo character has what it takes. "What about West Street?"

"Construction is held up there. Apparently, something of interest to some scientists or history guys are causing the whole thing to delay." Tony said.

Vito stopped and they both shared a glance, letting out a chuckle. He wiped a tear with the back of his hand. "That was a good idea. I like it." He said, returning his focus back to sandwich making. "Any noise from the boys there? I know they've been pushing that expressway hard."

Tony shrugged. "They've been quiet. Nothing since they got the greenlight.

Vito considered this. He placed the top bread on the sandwiches. "I'd figure Henderson would have fought this right away?"

Tony frowned, shaking his head.

Handing him a plate, Vito pulled a gallon of milk out of the fridge. He poured Tony a glass.

"Ah, I don't want that. What am I, a kid?"

"Drink it." Vito demanded, pointing at the glass. "Gives you strong bones."

Tony gave him a sideways glance. When Vito turned to replace the gallon in the fridge, he chugged his milk.

"Now." Vito said, leaning on the table. He noticed the glass already finished. Raising a brow at Tony, he took a drink himself. "What about Downtown?"

Tony rubbed his hands clean, clearing off the crumbs. "There's a meeting next week. Joe Detti is going to try and convince the Governor to get on board with his City Beautification Project. There's talk that he's considering it."

Vito shook his head. When he first found out about the project, he was shocked that no one else saw it for what it was. No one focused on the fine print, or they didn't care. "Does this guy ever give up?" His tone went deep and ended in a growl.

Tony sat there and watched Vito pace the kitchen. "What do you want to do?"

Vito stopped pacing. "I want to know what goes on in that meeting." His voice was stern and determined.

"Already on it."

"And I want to know who's been in the Governor's ear? How does he go from a firm no, to agreeing to a meeting with this guy?"

"On it."

Vito resumed his pacing.

Tony took one last bite of the sandwich, before standing up . "Anything else before I go?"

"This 'employer' still on for tonight?"

Tony nodded. "Already have the location. Just waiting for the time."

Vito nodded, arranging the chess pieces in his mind up on the board.

"I still don't understand why we need her?"

Vito stopped pacing and turned to Tony. "She's the answer to all our problems."