roses made of lead | Vito Scaletta

Prologue

"It's pouring down rain outside," I sighed when I saw the parade outside. The weather was perfect for a taxi ride.

I got up early today because I wanted to finish a little earlier. Surely everyone would want a ride somewhere early in the morning, right? I put on my coat and left the apartment with everything I needed. Before that, I waved to my cat, of course.

But to my surprise, I was right. Taxis are in demand in the morning, even in this weather. It was one person after another. Of course I heard a lot of bullshit about women behind the wheel. Every now and then, though, someone would recognize me, even strike up a conversation with me. I've been driving a cab in Empire Bay for years. I figured if I didn't want to do repetitive work and be everywhere on the minute, this was one of the few ways I could make money. And maybe a job in a brothel, but I don't know exactly how that works.

An older man knocked on my window. I rolled down the window, and a large amount of cigarette smoke came out of the car. I had my first break.

"Yes?" I smiled pleasantly.

"Could you please take me to the observatory?" he asked, automatically reaching for the door handle.

"Phew, that's quite a distance, but if you don't mind paying extra, it won't be a problem," I laughed and ran my thumb over the steering wheel.

"It won't be, I pay very generously," he sighed and sat back. He looked like he had the money. He also looked like he had the need to keep looking behind his shoulder.

I pulled out onto the road and turned the radio up a little.

"Please turn the radio down, I need to ask you a question," he spoke suddenly. I turned the radio off.

"Yes?"

"I've heard a bit about you, you gave a lift to a couple of my guys. The only woman that drives a cab in Empire Bay, right?"

"Well, I guess it's possible, why do you ask?" I said nervously. With the mafia in full swing here, I'm afraid I might get shot in the head one day.

"If you want to make some money, I have a little job for you. It's nothing illegal, don't worry, I wouldn't want to drag you into something like this. The problem is, I need a driver. A man like me doesn't drive cars, he's more of a passenger, you understand?"

"Mm, yes, I understand, so what exactly is it? And when?"

"I just need a ride with some of my friends to my house, it's only a few miles. In my car. Like I said, I pay generously."

It sounded like a really good offer. And he came across as a very reasonable man himself. Maybe it would pay my rent for a month in advance.

"All right, when's it gonna be?"

"Right now. From the observatory. Right after we get there."

I was shocked. I had a lot to do to keep from crashing the car into a house.

"Why me?"

"Like I said, I don't have a driver. A lot of my reliable drivers have died or run away because of the local mob. That's why you."

I exhaled, trying to take in what was happening. I hate when my plans change.

"Isn't that dangerous? Guns and stuff, won't there be any shooting?" I said, scared.

"Don't worry. You're going to drive, you're not going to fight," he laughed lightly and I tried to force myself to laugh too.

"All right, I'll take the offer," I agreed, taking extra care with the driving. I guess I wanted to make an impression too.

-

I sat in the car at the observatory, waiting for the man who was missing from the car to arrive. He said it was a friend, that had gone to the observatory to take care of something. I hummed the jingles from the radio, still wondering what I had nodded off to.

I noticed a young man in a suit walking up to the car. He got in, and after getting the address, I drove off.

However, I couldn't overhear the conversation going on in the back.

"Alright, so what's the big secret?"

It was quiet.

"Hey, hey, what the hell is going on, where are they taking Joe?!" the man we've been waiting for raised his voice.

"Sorry kid, Joe wasn't part of our deal," said the old man.

Deal? Why is the other car going somewhere else? Am I driving the right way?

Silence again.

A third man has spoken.

"Leo Galante settled Joe's future for him."

Leo. Leo Galante. The name seemed to repeat over and over in my head.

I know that name. And now I know exactly where I've gotten myself into.

The Mafia again.