TEN SECONDS , The Kenny Ackerman Story BOOK ONE~ ORIGINS ,by Melly O'Hara

ILLUSIONS

CHAPTER 9 ILLUSIONS

Walkin', slowly down the stairs, gave me time ta recover my mask ; my Kenny the Ripper expression, that were as much a part o' my appearance as my cowboy hat or my coat , and jus' as protective as were Silver Lady. An' after the scene with Kuchel, I needed that mask , that protection.

By the time I reached 'Jone's ' desk, it were all back in place an' I were Kenny the Ripper again. Makin' my way 'round the stairs, I siddled up ta his desk, where the greasy pig were now huddlin', but tryin' ta appear brave (like me I guess, which is prob'ly why it made me madder).

"Was that who you were lookin' for Mr Ripper, sir," the weak, slimey weasle asked tentatively.

Instead o' answerin' him, I once again, grabbed his sweaty shirt collar an' snarled at him,

"That ain't none o' your business, get it?! Her business ain't none o' your business, get it?!"

"Yes, sir, Mr Ripper, sir. The customer is always right here at Johnas's and discrection is assurred", he blabbered.

Not loosenin' my grip, I continued, "Yeah, now that's another thin' you gotta get straight Jones, I am NOT your customer. I will NEVER BE your customer. I value my ability ta have children TOO MUCH ta ever lay down in this rat-hole with one o' your disease infected whores!"

" But that 'Olympia' in room five. She's ta stay clean. Or, 'not proper broken in', as you like ta call it. She's as 'broken in' as she's gonna get. Consider me her last 'customer'. 'Cause I'll be a- checkin", I threatened.

"Of course, Mr Ripper, sir. What ever you say, sir", the greasy weasle ingraciatingly intoned. "But if I may ask, Mr Ripper, sir- What am I supposed to do about her room, sir. You see this is a working establishment, and...aahhh... well...", he tapered off.

" 'Olympia' stays right where she is. I don' care if'n she drinks from mornin' ta night, or what she does....So long as it's not seein' any o' your scummy 'customers'", I replied, reachin' inta my top pocket. "As for your other problem o' this bein' a, what did ya call it; oh yeah, ' a workin' establishment'", I laughed. "Well, I believe I can fix that problem for ya".

His greedy, rat eyes widened when he saw the wad o' cash I'd taken from my pocket.

"This is the first payment. This covers her rent, her booze, her food an' anythin' else she might need. Understand?!''

His head bobbled in affirmation an' his slimy mouth watered as he tenativley held out his fat, pudgy fingers ta receive the cash.

"Oh sir, yes sir, Mr Ripper, sir. Of course, of course. Olympia will always have a home here. Why I look on these girls like I'm their very own father. She'll always be safe here at Honest Johnas's", he panted.

"Like you're their father, eh?! Sellin' your daughters as whores an' keepin' them in filth, an' oglin' them with a hard on beneath that desk o' yours. You're such a slimey, shit stain, that the only reason ya don' have a go yourself is 'cause your too worried 'bout missin' out on some profits, case a customer comes in, ya deluded, greedy, sack o' ass shit! But, I'm tellin' ya this, ya pus filled ass crack... I f you ever, AN' I MEAN EVER, take one cent that belongs ta that girl, or send her one trick, or so much as look in her direction, Jerk off Jones.... Not only will I rip you a new one, PERSONALLY, but I'll tie ya face down on one o' your own matresses an' my boys will bring their 'friends' an' have a nice littl' gang-bang an' use your ass ta work off every debt ya've ever run up, afore I slit your throat from ear ta ear. Got it , 'Jones'?!'' I finished, smoothin' his shirt collar back down.