Shadows over Lost Heaven

Ordinary Routine

(1930)

A few days passed, and it was a morning in the courtyard. Ryan was standing outside, leaning against the wall and watching some of the guys practice hand-to-hand wrestling.

"Those first days in Fischbach's Bar were slow. I moved crates and delivered massages. The guys busted balls and told stories from the old country. Mostly, we just waited. I got to thinking, maybe Fischbach's crew wasn't going to get me clipped. I knew shit."

A man approached Ryan, raising his hand in greeting. "You Ryan?"

Ryan pushed himself from the wall, nodding. "Yeah."

"Boss is waiting for you."

The blond man thanked him, collected himself, and walked into the dinner and the office. As soon as Baz saw him, a wide smile stretched across his face. "Here he is!"

Ryan bowed his head, sitting down on his now-established seat. "Sorry, I am late."

"Take a seat. It's collection day, boys. So, Ryan, you'll drive. Baz and Lewis can handle the rest. It'll be routine."

Lewis reached his hand across Ryan to take a list from the don, reading through the names. "Just a handful of stops today."

"George at the motel was a little short last month. So, make sure he pays us the interest he owes." Don continued.

Baz cracked his hands, barely containing his excitement. "No problem, boss."

Tom stepped in, stopping everyone, looking them in the eyes with a cold, serious look. "Don't lay hands on anyone unless there is no other choice. Our clients need to understand that we provide valuable service. They need to look at you and see Saint Michael. They need to believe you'll protect them."

Don nodded, looking at him, agreeing. "So let McLoughlin stoop to breaking legs. We're better than that. But, the bill's still due and everyone pays up."

Lewis stood up, thanking his boss, before leaving the office. "We can handle it."

Don turned to Ryan. "Go see Matt about a car."

Ryan agreed, leaving the office with Baz. Once they were out of the room, the redhead stopped him, "Razz said to say he's got something for you, Ry. Head to him first. Probably just wants to tell you some bullcrap story about some guy he whacked twenty years ago..."

The blond went to talk to Rhys and overhears Baz, Lewis, and the driver, Nate. Nate's voice made it visible that he was nervous. "You guys need to be careful today, okay? I spoke to Isaiah. He said McLoughlin's still bent since he lost the cars."

"Ah, what's losing some cars to him? He got at least five garages on this side of town."

"He's not wrong, Baz..."

"You guys know it like I know: it's always the same. McLoughlin does this, so Fischbach does that. Some cars here, some booze there. Things calm down for a few weeks when it all happens again. The world keeps turning."

"Well, it has been a month..."

"A month's made of weeks. Quit whining."

Ryan didn't hear the rest, instead, he walked to meet Razz, who beamed at him right as he stepped across the threshold. "Hey! Just the guy... I saw this and I thought of you," He put a small six-shot revolver on the table. "You ever carried a rod?"

Ryan took the revolver, inspecting it carefully. "I once shot at the fair."

Razz looked at him, unimpressed, rolling his eyes. "Right, that doesn't count. Point it at the target over there." Ryan did as he was told. "Good posture, real mean. Now: click, click, click. Bang. Brain all up the walls. Okay, now show me a reload. Open the chamber and away you go. The last thing, it needs to be hidden. Stick it in your belt. Good to go. When the shooting starts, get behind something, and don't shit yourself."