The Vipers

Brooklyn

It's 1953. Summer, kids are running across the road playing from kick ball. On their bikes chasing each other around. It was a pretty normal day.

Oh. Sorry, forgot to introduce myself.

My name is Miranda 'Minnie' Thomas. You see? I get called 'minnie' from my asshole older cousin Leon because of how short i was. Bobby just caught on to it pissing me off but as i got older the more it grew on me.

My current location is Brooklyn. Best part of new york. That would be if the fucking Vipers would stay away from our part. Oh yeah. My cousin leon? He's top dog of a gang 'the deuces' Slick back hair and rolled up sleeves.

The vipers? Yeah. Slicked back hair to. Black clothing. Druggies. The bad guys really. Their main Boy Marco vendetti never met the guy. Hope i never do. He got my cousin Allie boy a bad batch of heroin. Yeah, Allie shouldn't have been taking it. But leon told marco not to sell it to him but did he listen? Nope.

That's where i come in. My auntie took it hard after Allie boy passed away so i came to stay with them for a little while. Just till she feels better. Now 3 years later. I'm still here working in a garage down the street. It wasn't ideal since i am a female. But my dad taught me and it was the only thing i ever remembered.

"He's a fuckin' spy" i pull away from the car i was working on to the shouting to my cousin Bobby.

"What's fucking going on now" slamming the wrench back on the tray and forcing the hood down, i wiped my grease covered hands down my coveralls. Swagging my way over to the now group of deuces. Boddy had just layed a punch straight into some poor kids face.

"Woah. Bobby! This is lil' jack" Leon steps in picking the small kid from the ground handing him a dollar to go buy something. I watched the small kid limp well run away with a bleeding noss.

"Bobby? You hit one person a year and its a deaf kid?" I make myself known in the crowd. I was only 5'5 so i was pretty small but damn. I could hold my own in a fight.

"Ha. Ha, isn't funny Minnie mousey" bobby laughs walking into the small diner that was full of the deuces.

"Hey minnie" i had to look down at my feet to see little scooch circling me on his scooter. Smiling softly i ruffle his hair. "Go home kid. I think shits about to happen" i mumble to the kid patting him on the back.

My eyesight was fixed on Philly and Jimmy pockets walking into the empty space next door to the deuces hangout. This won't be good.

I ran inside the diner pushing past the big guys standing around. "Leon. Lee" i shove the biggest guy in my view out the way crashing into a table. "Bright one minnie" bobby laughs chewing on a pretzel. I flip him off. Cocky shit.

"Leon. Philly and Pockets just walked into the space next door" i throw my hand over my shoulder pointing to the outside. Chairs scraped of the flooring as all the boys piled outside leaving me with betsy. I always felt out of place with her. She was the tall blonde with beautiful long legs that everyone wanted. I was just a small brunette with a feisty personality. "Hi" i smile and wave awkwardly.

"Hey toots" she smiles taking a drag of her cigarette. I was about to ask her something when i heard the boys yelling. Turning with a groan i left the small shop and onto the street. The sun is practically burning my skin unclipping the top part of my coveralls to tie the long sleeves around my waist. I wore a tight black crop top underneath.

Not being able to see above the crowd i spotted tino. "Hey tino. Give me a boost" i motion for him to come forward. "Sure thing doll" he shows off that big bright smile. He crouched over and i jumped up on his back getting a good view of the situation.

Leon and bobby are up front yelling at philly and pockets while the two men behind him yelled at the others. Damn vipers and deuces. Everything was fine until Marco sold that shit too allie boy. Now marco thinks leon grassed him to the cops. Leon ain't no grass.

"Listen here leon. Fritzy is sellin' up okay. And we want it" pockets muscles up to leon acting all cool and hard but fuck. Even i could kick pockets ass. "No fuckin' way. Ill be seeing Fritzy. I won't have marco's drugs on my street. Okay?" leon pushes pockets back causing him to stumble backwards. The look on his face is between disbelief and embarrassment cause he doesn't have the balls to hit back.

The two men square up to each other. I lean on tino's shoulders mouth wide opened waiting for a fight. But it never happened. Pockets backed off with his muscle dragging there tails behind them.

"Lets go" bobby yells as all the guys turn and begin to run back into the shop. "Where we going tino?" i moan as he pushes me of his back but grabs my hand pulling me with the group.

Up the whole blocks flight of stairs i had never felt so unfit or lazy in my life. Panting and sweating everywhere i finally got to the top.

"Hey pockets" bobby yells from the roof top. What's that asshole doing?

I watch as he tips a wheel barrel of cinderblocks over the ledge. Oh fuck.

Running over to the edge i watched the blocks fall on top of a car. Pockets car.

Bobby and the rest all started wooping and cheering at the sight. I didn't what if they are dead? But i watch as the fat piece of shit philly drags himself out the car grabbing his shoulder in pain. Oh well.

I turn and leave them all cheering to head back down to the apartment needing to change out of my work clothes.

Before i even got to the door i could hear the crying sound of my aunt. She's been so lost since allie boy. But she still has leon and bobby. I waited for a few minutes for things to go quiet. I hated when she cried. Once i couldn't hear anything I opened the door i found leon and betsy making out casually on the sofa.

"Sorry. Sorry" i shield my eyes trying to make it past them but trip over her handbag laying on the floor. Ow.
Carpet burns.

I hear leon sighs and move about. Opening my eyes i watched him extend his arm to help me up. "Thanks. Sorry again" this always happens when i least expect it.

"It's fine. Look minnie" he runs his hands down his face in frustion. What? "Word on the street is, Marco is coming home this week" why is he telling me? I make a 'so' face feature.

"Minnie, I'm serious. Just your. You know.. A good looking gal and hes a little.. Crazy" i scrunch my eyebrows at him comfused. "Okay. Yes dad. Can i go now?" i try laughing it off.

He nods his head for me to leave.

Why would i go near Marco? I don't even know what he looks like but judging by the rest of the vipers? He's going to be a fat ugly druggie.