The Falling Man

Chapter 30

Tommy POV

It had been around a week since the day in the Garrison when we started scouting new men. Alfie had been doing the same at his post in London. We had together gathered a good group of strong men and I was to be arriving shortly to Alfies warehouse, to give the new men their instructions. During a telephone call with Alfie earlier in the week he had rambled to me about his wife and Ethel being in Paris. With that information being known, Ethel wouldn't be in London which would allow me not to give into the temptation to see her.

When I was last at her apartment it was a wake up call. I got close to her and allowed her in on a romantic level once again just to be snapped out of it by a gun shot outside. Where the gun shot came from I was unsure; as I exited her apartment I saw nothing or no one. I think it was a warning from Sabinis men that they were watching me.

I couldn't see her anymore. I was bringing danger to the woman's doorstep for christs sake. In addition, I think to the words Ray told me. How he blackmailed me. It was best I left her alone, and that was easier done by cutting her out of my line of sight and life completely. As when I see her, I cannot control my thoughts or soft actions. When I get away from her, is when I see clearly once again. It pained my heart, the thought of not being able to hold her or love her the way I so desperately yearn for but I was not good for her. I would not bring any good to her. So my decision was done.

As I walk into Alfies warehouse I see the new men lined up. I go to stand infront of the men while pulling out a cigarette. "All right boys, you've now been enrolled as bakers...in the Aerated Bread Company of Camden Town. If anyone asks, that's what you do. You're bakers. The coppers in Camden Town are on our side, but north or south, you show them that piece of paper. Tell them you've come down from north to find work, to break strikes. Tell them you're fascists if you have to. We're finding lodgings for you, but for now, you'll sleep here in the bakery. Don't touch any of the bread, it'll most likely explode...Any questions?" I ask the men.

An older man in the front raises his hand, "Yes?" I ask him. "I haven't even seen any bread." He states turning to the men behind him with a smile as they all let out laughs. I puff my cigarette and stare at them before turning to Alfie who leans against a chair behind me. I clear my throat to him indicating for him to speak to the man's words. I inhale my cigarette as I watch him approach the man who made the joke. They stare at eachother for a moment before Alfie punches the man next to him sending him to the floor with the strength of it before getting back in the older man's face.

He taps his cane on his chest lightly, "He'll wake up. Granted he won't have any teeth left. But he will be a wiser man for it. And the last thing he will remember is your funny little joke. Won't he?" Alfie states, a few inches from the man's face, followed by a silence. "Right!" Alfie screams turning away and continuing, "There are fucking rules here, yeah? There are fucking rules for a fucking reason. Quite simply they have to be obeyed. All right? Rule number one. The distinction between bread and rum, that is not discussed! Rule number two. Anything, right, that your superior officer says to you or any of your other fucking superior officers say to you, yeah? Not discussed! Rule number three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine. I don't care... For the rest of your fucking miserable, measly lives, yeah? Because I, like you, am also a complete fucking sodomite...The Switzer women. You do not go anywhere near them because the Switzer women for you are off the fucking menu. I think that's fair." He states quite intensely staring them all down, "Hmm..." He says looking at the man on the ground, "All right, that's it then. Oh...Forgive me. I interrupted you." He states looking at me before trudging back to his spot leaned against the chair.

I look around at the men in front of me once again, "Pick him up." I state to the older man that made the joke. I approach Ray, who will be involved with the leading of the new men, "Get them out of here and make this fucking work." I walk back to my spot at the front of the room as he turns to the group, "Don't fucking wait! You better be fucking soldiers! You're a fucking disgrace! Go!" He yells at them to leave the room, pushing some of them in the back. Ray was getting darker and darker the more he became involved in the business and I was noticing. He started off as a man who struggled with it, could barely bare the involvement in it, now he seemed to thrive off being a leader of it. I look around the now bare room, pulling out a fresh cigarette and lighting it before I exit, heading back to my hotel.
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