The Sopranos: Caliper Story

EPISODE SIX (Part One)

EPISODE SIX (Part One)

I sat down on my Vette’s hood, running my hand along its bumper. How I missed it. But until we’re free to roam as ourselves again, we had to remain the polar opposites of the fakes.

      Around me sat beautifully painted silvery, pearl-white vehicles. It turned out, the simpler the paint job, the classier vehicles looked. 

     The crew starts ambling into the safe house and I immediately notice Jay’s absence. I sigh and crossed my arms, standing and taking center. I stomp a foot on the ground amidst the silence, commanding attention.

     We’re friends, family, even. But like a parent, I needed to take charge and pull things together before fear makes us run in different directions.

      I scratch my head and bit my lip, tilting my head. “Where’s Jay?” I ask,

     The crew gives me a shrug. I shook my head and stopped myself from rolling my eyes. 

     If he wasn’t coming, I decided not to wait on him. So, I begin. “This morning, I was attacked by the copycat of Jess’ Ford. I still don’t know who it was but I was driving in Sal’s Toyota.”

     “He set you up?” Jess asks,

     I shook my head. “I don’t think it was him.” I said, “If he were a part of it and he was sent to get rid of me, he could’ve just let me suffocate in the sand storm or let Eddie die . . . or help me paint.” I paused and swallowed hard, lowering my eyes. “He was shot in the shoulder with a . . . metal arrow. There was someone on the roof of a nearby apartment building.”

      There was a collective gasp. 

      “And it came with a note.” I said, “Someone’s trying to get rid of us. To them, this is serious. Whatever this is. If Sal were one of them, then he would’ve done something already.”

     “Could be that he didn’t do what he was told if he really was tasked to mess with your head and then-“ Courtney pauses. “And then-“ She shook her head. “I can’t continue.” Her eyes fluttered to the floor.

      “But we know it isn’t Sal, and that’s a good thing.” I said, “When he heals, we can make use of his skills.” I clear my throat. “Guys, I don’t want this to be like what happened with us and Helena. It’s similar, but there was only one of her. We’re going to go up against a whole crew of ruthless phonies. And if they keep attacking Damien’s crew, then we’re also going to have to go against North Star.”

      “Why start with us?” Jess asks, sitting by her Ford. “Why not some small crew?”

      “They mess with big rep, the big rep goes to them. Besides, who cares if some rookies get attacked? They want publicity, and that’s why they’re trying to ruin ours.” Ryan explains, calm and intense all at once.

     I nod, “We’ve changed our image, but that’s not all. It’s Ryan’s turn tonight.” I glance at Courtney who worriedly played with her fingers. She gives me a nod. “I have a plan.” I say, licking my lip.

~~~

We lay down a huge map of Caliper on the ground and gathered around it as if we sat at a campfire. 

     “The race starts here.” I point at a thick white line. It was a large body of road that only goes one way. Luckily, that area of the map mimicked the stem of a leaf, one thick road in the middle, and many adjacent streets sticking out of it. I pointed to them. “I want one of us in these roads and we’re basically going to clog the other roads protruding from this one. That way, whoever attacks can do so head on and not by surprise. You understand?” I glance around at my crew.

     “One problem.” Courtney says, raising a hand. “We’re shorthanded.”

     There clicked my tongue. She was right. With Ryan on the road and only five of us, assuming Jay was even going to show up, we won’t be able to occupy all road extensions. 

      “Maybe I can talk to Damien.” I said, “His crew will benefit from this too. We can protect each other.”

     “That is if he believes the real us.” Ross says, our eyes connect for a while and I nod.

     “Yeah,” I murmur.

     Ryan checks his watch and makes a face. “Well, if you’re going to talk to him, it better be soon.” He says, “It’s race time.”