Tommy Branclo: The story of an Irish gangster

PART 1: The Beginning

CHAPTER 1: The perfect day

The city of Riplin was a quiet place. The year was 1920. At night, the city was very alive. Parties, plays, horse races, musical performances from different types of people. Jazz music was a huge thing in Riplin, Ireland. The casino's were the busiest, and the wildest places of all. Thousands of people, betting away all their cash on slot machines, blackJack, poker, and all kinds of other wild games. There were lots of airtight women that hung around the casino. Most people in the casino either won a huge amount of money, or, they bet thousands, hundreds of thousands of dollars, even, and lost it all in one game of Gin Rummy, all because of having the worst hand of cards at the table. People would drink, and drink, until they either passed out, or got thrown out, because of ghastly behavior. The casino's even had areas where men and women making out was okay. But, there were also areas where the phrase, "bank's closed" was used.                          
In those specific areas of the casino, the phrase meant there was to be no kissing of any kind. If people were in the "no kissing aloud" area, and they were caught, the man and woman would be physically thrown out of the casino, and would not be aloud to return. The city was so wild at night, that it made the jungle look like a quiet, and soothing place. When the sun came up, though, the city went somewhat quiet. Sometimes people would be waking up at noon, with extreme hangovers from the previous night. Some people were so drunk from the night before, they would end up waking up in odd places, like street corners, alleyways, bus stops, and sometimes even in the street. Most people were laid off from their jobs, because of how late, or how drunk they'd show up to work. Life in Riplin was amazing for lots of people. But life was even more amazing, for one man in particular. His name, was Tommy Branclo. Tommy was a very

friendly person. Everyday, before he went to work, he'd have breakfast, and then he'd kiss his wife goodbye. He worked as a banker. The bank he worked at was called Brandish & Gold bank. It wasn't the best job, and it didn't have the best pay, but it was work. It helped him and his wife have a roof over their heads, beds to sleep in, and it also helped them to be able to have food on the table every morning and night. His wife's name was Rose. She was a beautiful, red-haired, freckle-faced, 20 year old woman. She also wore a long, light red dress, with roses on it. Tommy was a 30 year old, tall, skinny man. He had brown, neatly combed hair, green eyes, and a cleanly-shaved face. He wore a different suit to work everyday. Today, he decided to wear a navy blue suit, with a red tie. He carried a briefcase to work. He also drove a 1920 ford Model T Roadster. As he drove everyday, he'd like to turn on the radio, and listen to music. Music was a big part of his life. He had always loved it. When he was younger, he would always be involved in musicals, dance classes, and any other activities he could, that involved music. He had always dreamed of one day becoming a singer. He went to work from 8am to 6pm everyday. After work, he'd go to the diner, on the corner of 1st and Pine street, to get a quick afternoon coffee, while he read the newspaper. After his coffee, he'd leave the waitress a tip, pay for his coffee, and leave. He would then go home for the night. When he'd get home, he'd help Rose cook dinner. After dinner, they'd both go to bed, kiss each other goodnight, and sleep. Every morning, Rose would cook Tommy his favorite breakfast, eggs, over-easy, bacon, not too crunchy, and not too soft, a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice, and hashbrowns. After Tommy ate his breakfast, he'd clean up his area, kiss his wife goodbye, and leave for work. Life for Tommy Branclo was pretty great.. Till one day... when he went to the diner he always went to after work, he had been sitting at the table he always sat at, when a strangely dressed man entered the diner. The time of day was 6:15pm. Tommy noticed the man, but just decided to go back to reading his paper. But, the man had approached Tommy, sat down in the chair opposite him, and stared at him, until Tommy had noticed what the strange man was doing. The man was tall, skinny, had bright hazel colored eyes, a clean shaved face, just like Tommy, and he wore a long, black trench coat, with black dress shoes, a white dress shirt, a fedora that was a very dark blood-red color, a 24K solid gold watch, and a ring that had a real ruby on it. He had a bit of a smirk on his face. The man then cleared his throat, as if he was trying to get Tommy's attention. When Tommy looked up from his newspaper at the man, the man then said something that made Tommy look very shocked, and also very concerned. Then, the man, with a smile, and his hands folded in his lap, said, "Tommy Branclo...we need to talk."